Pizza pans on long haul trucks

[AeroModder]

When I taped up the holes in my wheels, I just removed the dust covers from the front discs. Then again, I haven't done any mountain driving since I did.

[ConnClark]

Brake fading due to overheating is a very real problem and is well documented. F1 cars recently started using Carbon Carbon brake rotors which don't require as much cooling. Unless you have tens of thousands of dollars to spend on a custom set for your street car your not going to get a set. Its pretty much the same story for semi trucks.

[Weather Spotter]

They do fade if over heated, but If you drive right they need not be used much. How many times are trucks in stop and go traffic (that they use brakes not just engine break)?

[ConnClark]

Originally Posted by Weather Spotter

They do fade if over heated, but If you drive right they need not be used much. How many times are trucks in stop and go traffic (that they use brakes not just engine break)?

ummmmmm stop and go traffic isn't the problem. Its decent down long steep hills. That is why they have run away truck ramps. Even with these run away truck ramps its not always possible for a truck to use these ramps due to traffic and carnage ensues.

[Weather Spotter]

Good point about the hills, I would think that over 95% of the time the trucks are not in the hills and the better aero is the best choice. When in the hills, take them off.

[brucey]

I was about to say that cars can get away with the covered wheels, even when towing in mountains. I've never had brake fade on mine.

Then I realized there is a 7% grade for 13 miles about 45 miles away I drive regularly. Everyday the weigh station wasn't open it was almost guaranteed a truck would have the brakes on fire by the bottom of the hill. You could always smell it way before you could see the smoke coming from the thing. Luckily there were never any accidents as there is a reverse incline right before the bottom.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by Weather Spotter

Good point about the hills, I would think that over 95% of the time the trucks are not in the hills and the better aero is the best choice. When in the hills, take them off.

Cross country trucks have lots of hills to contend with. I know, it is harder for the flatland native to consider.

I don't see truckers climbing in and out to R&R hubcaps.

[Otto]

Good points, all.

Maybe have lightweight removable covers for use on cross country trips, lower speeds and more frequent braking around town compromising the need for such covers except on the open highway.

And, maybe duct some of the undercar air that would othewise drag on the front wheels directly to the brakes, so wheels are faired and brakes stay cooler.

[Cd]

Originally Posted by Patrick

The wheels on the drive axles are dished in so it's easy to put a cover on. The wheels on the front (steering) axles are dished out so it's a lot harder to put a cover on. It could still be done, but would stick out quite a bit.

( Actually I meant the rear set on the trailer. I can understand if they don't own the trailer, and just swap out trailers, but this company actually owns the trailers, yet they don't cover the rear set - just the rear set on the rig.)

[Phantom]

It would make it more complicated but they could add a pneumatic arm for the attachment point and a temp sensor on/by the brakes. When the temp hits X the pneumatic arm pops out leaving a gap, if the under side is designed correctly it could actually direct air into the wheels to cool and create some extra drag.

They would then stay open for a preset time after the temp drops.