Has any one used recaps on the tractor drive axles? What was your experience? Likes and dislikes.

 

I used a recap for my trailer once and after about 6,000 miles I could see where the cap was glued on all the way around. Not sure how long it would last before it came off. Maybe that's normal, not sure.

 

I don't run caps on my trucks because they have fairings. If one comes apart it can cause major damage to my fairings. I know of several people who run caps on their trucks. I have never been very comfortable with them on the truck. I have sometimes run them on a trailer using my own casings. According to some tire dealers with whom I have spoken, caps should last as long as new as long as you keep a close eye on the tire pressure. If you don't keep the tire pressure up on caps they tend to have a higher failure rate. Another enemy of caps is speed. If you usually run at higher speeds, caps tend to fail more because of the heat buildup. If you run at no more than 65-70 mph and regularly check the tire pressure you should be fine.

 

Start looking at some of the trucks in the stops. Lot's of companies are running caps on their equipment.

 

Oh...no caps where I am. Considered un-safe with tankers.

 

Better safe, than sorry! And those couple hundred in yearly "savings", doesn't justify it for me! :roll:

 

Hey...if there weren't caps being run on trucks out there..what would we do to practice our "debris avoidance" skills?? 8)

 

Well in the dump truck world we all run caps. I think your a fool if you dont run caps. The only reason why i wouldnt run caps is like what GMAN said. If you have full fenders or something. They will tear them up if the cap comes off. Caps came a long way. I dont think they are unsafe at all. So if your driving a tanker and a cap comes off whats the big deal ????

 

If a cap comes off the tire, but does not clear the truck, you have the potential for a fire. Most times, not a huge issue..but it only takes one time, for the issue to go from big, to absolutely hughe. With hazmat tankers, the driver is required by law, to remove a hot tire from the unit, and get that hot tire away from the unit. Caps come apart because they get hot. The majority of tanker companies choose to run virgin rubber to avoid problems. I notice even food grade companies run virgin.

 

I've always had problems, even with capping (Bandag) my own casings. I run strickley OTR and keep an eye on my stuff. I guess they have a place in the industry but not on my truck.