tire inspection, and a note from the depot....

[maddawg308]

Spent some hours going over my deuce this weekend, making sure fluid levels were topped and that everything is in order for the big trip next week in the East Coast Convoy, and the trip up and back from Aberdeen. During the inspection, I checked tire pressures, all varied between 25psi and 55 psi. However, my right rear inside tire was completely flat, and the tire was off the bead. The lock ring was in place, but not really well. I got the air hose to air it up, but no valve stem was in place for me to air up the tire! Upon closer inspection, and me reaching underneath the tire (off the bead) I found that there was no tube inside! Not sure the story behind this little episode, but I will make sure I replace the tube before the trip. Good thing I caught that...

Also, one thing I found in my truck was a note, made on the very top of the grille, in permanent marker, by a former user of the truck. I could barely make out the letters, so I wiped off some dust and pollen that had settled there and I could make out:

"I WAS 'H' CODED, NOW I'M UNSTOPPABLE"

For the story, my truck had a freshly remanufactured engine put in place 37 miles prior to surplussing it out. I can deduce two explanations for this comment:

1. The truck was formerly listed as "H" code (unserviceable), and got the rebuild treatment at Toole Army Depot, and whoever scribbled that statement was amazed at the newly acquired power the truck has with its new engine, as well as I will be when I get her on the road.

...or....

2. The truck has no brakes. (unstoppable = no brakes?) I hope this isn't the case.

 

[FormerNewMVGuy]

Did you tow that truck home? good thing the tire didnt come apart while towing!
Sounds like its time to pull the drums off and check them brakes!

 

[Ferroequinologist]

Two of my inside tires were that way, I drove to Aberdeen last year on one of them. (bad Ferro!!!) The tube has a tendency to rotate within the tire when no air pressure is inside it holding it fast to the walls of the tire and rim. Which will drag the valve stem inside. Somehow. Mine did.

My truck was H coded and unstoppable too... it took a whole warehouse to stop mine!!!

 

[pa.rich]

Adam, so youre the guy who drove into the warehouse!! At least it wasnt with a locomotive.

 

[beaubeau]

Hey guys, u don' t want to run the trucks with a flat tire. The tube gets Sucked in and when traveling down the road like this, I have seen tires Catch Fire. Thats a no, no!! Radial tire without a tube are more forgiving, Good luck, Phil

 

[emmado22]

Flat tires on dual trucks = fires.. Seen it happen a few times.

 

[maddawg308]

Not sure you guys got this when you read the post - there was NO tube inside the tire at all, I reached in the loose tire and checked. Yes, this one was towed back from Chambersburg in January, glad it got home without incident now that I see this tubeless tire was present.

 

[beaubeau]

Maddawg308, Do U thunk someone put a Tubeless tire on a Split rim? It doesn't make sence!? It would not hold air very long. Amazing what the Govt. can Do, or Noy do!!
Phil

 

[maddawg308]

Nah, I can't explain it. Maybe there was a tube in it, and it ripped apart and left itself on the road somewhere between Chambersburg and Strasburg (100 miles), that's the only logical explanation I can give it. All I can say is there's nothing there now. I can't envision a depot, or any maintenance facility for that matter, being so cheap as to try putting a tube tire onto a split rim with no tube. The military has budget problems sometimes, but not that bad....

 

[emmado22]

The "put a tire on it so we can get it out of here and turned in!! But Sarge, we dont have any tubes.. I dont give a rats a$$, put a tire on it" scenario is very probable here........

You guys need to remember, once a truck is heading for turn in, the unit doesnt care about it at all.....

 

[cranetruck]

Maddawg308, Do U thunk someone put a Tubeless tire on a Split rim? It doesn't make sence!? It would not hold air very long. Amazing what the Govt. can Do, or Noy do!!
Phil

Now, the m656/xm757 8x8 trucks run on tubeless, bias ply, low aspect ratio, low pressure tires and split ring type mounting.....

 

[papercu]

tube

It would not hold air very long

There isn't anyway to air the tire up without a tube (no valve stem and no place to put one) and a flat tire on the rear would not cause a fire as long as the truck was unloaded and the tire beside it was inflated close to the correct psi.

While It is not a good thing to run it flat, if you are not in a safe or convenience place to change it don't worry about it till you get someplace.

There has to be friction for fire and the flat tire will just spin in place and the fact the tube (and the flap) was gone shows the tire was just spinning on the rim. Wayne