Why do they hang bottles on wheels? Why are plastic bottles needed for truck wheels in winter? Checking the brake system

The issue of bottles in trailer wheels appeared on the Internet for a reason. It was voiced by Novosibirsk resident Vasily Chemenov to experts on the air of the popular game “What? Where? When?" As a result, even bright minds did not find the right answer. The man received the coveted reward, and TV viewers were surprised to find out what empty bottles are used for.

The question clarified that this principle is used by Siberian drivers when traveling. This nuance prompted experts to think that such a simple technology could save one of the holes from freezing. Although the answer was not recognized as correct, keyword- cold - it was still said.

The author of the question explained that under the influence of extremely low temperatures, breakdowns and freezing are possible. For example, the pad may freeze or jam. As a result, while driving at high speed, the driver will not be able to detect the malfunction, but after some time the jammed wheel will result in a tire explosion.

Now it has become clear for what purpose empty bottles are installed. Looking at them, the driver can constantly check in the rear-view mirrors whether all the wheels are moving properly. The need for invention is cunning, as we know, and folk know-how can sometimes surpass any industrial invention.

In the fourth game of the spring series “What? Where? When?" The most eminent experts - the team of Viktor Sidnev - answered questions from viewers. The honor of the intellectual club was defended by two masters at once: Alexander Druz And Maxim Potashev. But a task from the Novosibirsk manager Vitaly Chemenev Even they were too tough.

In Siberia in winter period on the highways you can find trucks with empty trailer wheels plastic bottles. Why do truck drivers install such bottles? - asked the Novosibirsk resident.

By the way, Vitaly himself learned the answer to this question a little over a year ago from a friend whose uncle works as a truck driver.

He and I were driving in a car and just saw such a truck,” says the Siberian. - A friend explained the essence of the truckers’ tricks. It turns out that when a trailer wheel gets stuck, the driver may not notice it right away. But due to such a problem, the wheel may burst while driving. To avoid emergency situations, truckers use bottles: if they spin with the wheel, then everything is in order. If not, we urgently need to figure out what happened.

It was then that Vitaly decided to check whether experts could understand the truckers’ idea.

Since childhood I have been watching “What? Where? When?”, I sent a question once, but it wasn’t accepted. That’s why I didn’t really count on anything here either,” admits Vitaly.

A year has passed, and the Siberian has already forgotten that he was sending a problem for experts. Until he received a call from the broadcast editor.

They said that my question passed, I just need to film it,” the Novosibirsk resident describes further events. - I had to ask my friend for help again: I agreed with his uncle to use a truck for the plot. And my friend filmed everything on camera.

Vitaly did not know which team would get the question. But he is proud of the fact that his problem ended up on the table of the most famous TV scholars. True, the experts themselves did not appreciate his efforts.

There was no question. Was interesting fact, from which a question could be formulated. But apparently no one bothered with this, says Maxim Potashev.

But perhaps the experts were simply upset that they could not figure out this everyday trick. The incorrect version of the command was voiced by a TV scholar Leonid Timofeev: they say that the bottle is necessary so that the hole in which it is fixed does not freeze. The score after this question became 4:3 in favor of viewers, but the team Victor Sidnev won.

In addition, plastic bottles are used to protect bolts or nuts from freezing, which freeze very strongly at very low temperatures. As a result, when a trucker notices a cracking or cracking tire, he is unable to simply replace the tire. More often, plastic containers are used on tubeless tires due to their faster wear.

Other causes, consequences of the wedge

An “accessory” on wheels can be seen both in winter and at other times of the year. There are several reasons for such manipulations.

The most common:

1. Protecting wheels from intruders who want to steal them - bottles are used instead of alarms. After all, buying a new wheel can cost 5 thousand rubles. and higher.
2. An alternative to lost lug nut caps, this ensures safety while driving. When driving, the fasteners do not catch pedestrians in the event of a collision; they are not able to catch on clothing and drag a person along with them.
3. Installing plastic containers on the front wheel studs - to determine problems associated with the rear or front axle axle. When the wheel brakes during rotation, the bottle wrinkles, and specific sounds are heard when crushed. The result is that truckers identify the breakdown.

Attention!

If a person gets caught in the epicenter of the explosion of a jammed wheel, the consequences can be catastrophic.

The pressure in truck tires is about 8 atmospheres - the power can be similar to that when a grenade explodes, in addition, remnants of rubber and body parts fly. The result is a serious concussion, the windows of a nearby vehicle or building are broken, and in the worst case, serious injuries incompatible with life.

Let's figure out why on the highway you can see trucks with bottles in their wheels, with a gas mask on the gas tank and a “suspended” wheel.

Why put bottles in wheels?

When driving on highways, motorists realize that some trucks have plastic bottles stuck in their wheels. It is clear that this is not done for the sake of a joke or aesthetics - then why?

There are several reasons - all important. The general thing is that this “improvement” of wheels is used not on the tractor itself, but on the trailer.

If you don't notice in time that the wheels on the trailer start to jam, they will begin to wear off. And in this case, bottles help: in the rearview mirror you can see the moment when the wheels begin to spin (slip). Normally, the bottom of the bottle should extend beyond the tire. To make the situation visible from a distance, use colored plastic containers.

Another reason why bottles are inserted into wheels is this protects the bolts and nuts from freezing. In cold climates, these parts freeze and if you need to replace a wheel or bolt, this is a hindrance. Here are the caps from plastic bottles hiding the wheel bolts.

This trick also protects the bolts from corrosion. AND prevents wheel theft: a truck driver who has fallen asleep will react to noise from bottles when attackers try to unscrew the nuts and remove the wheels.

Also bottle caps can replace lost caps from wheel nuts and studs. The European Road Safety Convention states that large vehicles must have caps. Open stilettos can catch a pedestrian on their clothing and even drag him behind a car. In this case, bottle caps come to the rescue.

Finally, plastic containers help check the working condition of the brakes, it is used to determine the rotation of the wheel.

To find out about problems with the technical operation of the rear or front axle axle, bottles are placed on the wheel studs with the front part. If the wheel slows down, the container wrinkles and makes noise - this informs the driver about a breakdown.

Thus, drivers insert bottles into wheels to:

• identify wheel jamming and towing, malfunctions in time brake system trailer;
• protect wheel bolts and nuts from corrosion and freezing;
• replace wheel stud caps with bottle caps;
• use bottles as alarms to prevent wheel theft.

Why hang a gas mask on the gas tank?

Another improvement that can be seen on trucks is a gas mask on the gas tank.

The reason for this “tuning” - protection of the gas tank cap from dirt and corrosion. This is especially true for construction and municipal equipment.

Gasoline and diesel fuel cause the tank cap on trucks operating in dirty conditions to degrade over time. In this case, a rubber gas mask is an affordable and simple option to protect the element.

In addition, in the 80s, it was a fashionable habit among truckers to hang a gas mask on the gas tank. Even today there are drivers who use such “tuning” as a joke.

Why is there one wheel in the air?

Another picture that can be observed on the highway is that one wheel of heavy trucks hangs in the air without touching the ground. Common people think it's a spare tire.

But no, it's so-called “lazy” bridge, additional lifting axle. As the name implies, it is not always used, but only when there is a need.

Let's imagine: a driver drives empty after unloading a truck. In this case, the “sloth” is raised in the air - there is no need for it. The tires are more durable and fuel consumption is lower.

Now it’s a different story: the truck is loaded to capacity. By lowering the lazy axle, you can remove some of the load from the main axle and suspension. And the weight of the cargo itself is distributed more evenly - which makes it easier to pass weight control, among other things.

Thus, the sliding non-driving axle (“sloth”) allows you to carry more weight than usual, because the load is distributed over three axes instead of two.

Another point about using the lazy axis is related with the stability of a road train.

• If the sloth is located at the back, when it is raised onto the drive axle, the pressure will increase - and this will improve the stability of the car on slippery roads.
• If the sloth is located in the middle, on the contrary, it worsens handling: when it is raised, the front axle is loaded, making it more difficult for the car to move away.

Therefore, vehicles with a 6x4 or 6x2 wheel arrangement with a rear “sloth” are more stable on ice and snow and are easier to get out of a slippery parking lot than a standard 4x2 tractor.

By the way

Why "truck driver"

There is no single version of why heavy truck drivers began to be called truckers.

The most plausible version is that in Russia, due to difficult conditions (bad roads, huge distances, harsh climate and risks), the process of delivering goods is called “taking / punching a route”. The designation “truck driver” comes from this jargon - drivers literally take the distance with a fight.

Thus, the term reflects the essence of a complex profession.

Quality boo spare parts for Scania trucks can be found in our catalog

Wherever plastic containers find secondary use. It is used for growing plants, as a watering can or watering can. We want to talk about one more way to use this container. You can often see truckers putting bottles on the wheels of their trucks. But why do they do this?

Functions of bottles on truck wheels

This is done for various reasons:

• to see which wheel is stuck;
• to protect nuts and bolts from freezing;
• as caps if “relatives” are lost;
• for signaling.

Often, plastic bottles are placed on the wheels of trucks by criminals in order to attract the driver’s attention, distract him and steal the truck.

Let's consider each method of application in more detail.

Checking the brake system

Plastic containers are placed on trailer wheels to see which ones are jammed. Due to the large length of the additional loading platform, the driver cannot see the tires in motion and cannot determine whether there is a wheel wedge.

Plastic bottles mounted on nuts or studs visually increase the size of the tires; when driving, they come into the truck driver’s line of sight. This allows you to determine which wheel is not rotating and take timely measures to repair or replace it in order to prevent damage to the rubber or its increased wear.

Freeze protection for bolts and nuts

In severe frosts, if the threads of a wheel stud or nut are frozen, it is not possible to remove the tire and replace it. To do this, you need to water the fasteners for a long time hot water, in general, a waste of time.

Plastic bottles contain air, which is an excellent heat insulator, and therefore prevent bolts and nuts from freezing, which allows you to unscrew them at any time, quickly and without much effort.

Caps for stud nuts

Caps on nuts and bolts protect their threads from the accumulation of dust and moisture, which leads to corrosion processes. They cost a lot of money, but they get lost easily and easily. Therefore, truckers have found an inexpensive and practical replacement for them - plastic bottle caps. They do not need to be purchased separately. They perfectly match the bolt heads and nut dimensions.

Signaling

Theft of tires and wheels is not uncommon. The theft of heavy-duty vehicle tires is especially profitable. Even one wheel can be sold for decent money. Therefore, they are often removed from trucks, taking advantage of the fact that the driver either fell asleep or was distracted by something else. But to remove the wheel, the attacker needs to unscrew it.

A bottle placed on nuts or studs plays the role of a kind of alarm. When trying to gain access to the fastener, a noise occurs that attracts the attention of the driver or vehicle owner.

Plastic bottle - a tool for theft

It's not just drivers who insert bottles into truck wheels. Thieves do this too. For what? To distract the attention of the one who is turning the steering wheel.

A plastic bottle is inserted between the front and rear wheels under the body, and when the car starts moving, it makes sounds unnatural to normal car operation.

They attract the driver and he gets out of the car to see what happened or what is causing the strange noises?

Often, without suspecting anything wrong, drivers, alarmed by suspicious sounds, leave the car doors open without even turning off the engines. This is what the thief takes advantage of. When the trucker gets out, the criminal gets into the truck and simply drives off.

• turn off the engine and take out the keys;
• install a car alarm that will allow you to respond in a timely manner to attempts to take possession of the car by another person.

If you take all of the above precautions, an attacker will have virtually no chance of stealing your car.

As you can see, an ordinary plastic bottle is a universal remedy that protects car wheels from damage and increased wear, protects fasteners from the influence unfavorable factors environment, signals that attackers are carrying out illegal actions.

Of course, this is not a panacea for ills, but it is a significant help for the driver, which will cost him very little. After all, plastic bottles (with contents, of course) are sold everywhere, just don’t rush to throw them away. They will be useful to you, and you will not pollute the environment.

Empty bottles will not take up much space in your car and will save you a lot of money.

Detailed information is visible in the video: