For many drivers , cruising alongside an18 - wheelercan be a piffling nerve - rack — a feeling that ’s compounded when you realize some of the truck ’s wheels are cover in metal spikes . Though the ornaments may look a bit threatening , they ’re not there to scare you .
AsBig Rig Pros explain , the spikes ’ main intention is to embrace a cycle ’s lug nuts ( which help fasten tire to their axles ) . Considering the unnumberable miles that 18 - bicycler traverse , it ’s no surprisal that their Lugh nuts stand more wear and rip than those of other fomite . The ear harbor lug nuts from crap and keep them dry from downfall , prevent rust fungus and preventing them from loosen .
While the covers are sturdy enough to do that job well , they are n’t always asindestructibleas they appear . Many aremanufactured from plasticmade to expect like chrome . As for why so manytruck driversopt for pointed covers over flat ones , it may be more of astyle choicethan anything else . When you ’re spending scores of time of day a week in your truck , you might be prepared to trick it out a little . As Big Rig Pros notes , it ’s not unlike an office employee decorating their kiosk .
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If the flashy spikes catch your eye on the road and prompt you to keep some distance between yourcarand an 18 - wheeler , that ’s not a sorry thing . Truck driver have significantblind spotsdirectly along the slope ( and front and back ) of their trucks , and fortuity are more likely to chance when an approaching vehicle strays into one of these so - call “ no - zones . ” In this way , the spikes may not just be protecting the lugsail nuts — but also you , the truck number one wood , and everyone else on the road .
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A interpretation of this article was originally publish in 2021 and has been update in 2022 .
