'I find the manufacturers'
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comments bizarre' 4 H aving been involved in representing many hauliers, operators and drivers in connection with the loss of road wheels on commercial vehicles, I was at first heartened by the recent article entitled Thread Tightly (CM 18-24 March).
1 was aware of the publication of the BSI draft document and obtained my own copy as soon as I could.
The proposals in the draft document are welcome and I am certain that the implementation of the recommendations will go a long way to reducing the incidence of wheel detachments. What a pity the introduction is some considerable time away.
My initial enthusiasm on reading the article was tempered by the manufacturers' reaction to the proposed BSI standard: "...voiced primarily through the SMMT—is to resist any change in design or specification".
I find it almost incomprehensible that after some 10 years, the manufacturers, who during that period appear to have made no constructive comments whatever to help their customers, should have responded in this manner. All the manufacturers have done is suggest more onerous service and maintenance checks upon the hard-pressed operators.
EVIDENCE
From my own experience and that of others in the same field, there is almost irrefutable evidence that in almost every case detachments occur at the nearside rear of the vehicle or trailer. This suggests that detachments are happening for reasons other than inadequate or poor maintenance.
In these circumstances, I find the manufacturers' comments almost bizarre.
I accept that the retrospective introduction of design changes or modifications would be prohibitively expensive. However, steps such as the introduction of an improved British Standard for wheel fixtures, introduced at the manufacturing stage, could be achieved by simple changes in design and manufacturing practice. The result: improved wheel integrity.
Don't underestimate the effect of the current economic climate in which vehicle sales have slumped. It may be that the first manufacturer to offer a product with wheel security guaranteed would enjoy a period of unprecedented prosperity When you consider that wheel security is so basic and fundamental, the manufacturers' first "instinct" must surely be an unconsidered comment which is not shared by those unfortunate enough to have experienced the trauma of a wheel loss
J If you want to sound off about a road transport issue write to features editor Patric Cunnane.