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I saw a strange thing on a lorry wheel..Yeah, me being random again!


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I was driving home last night, north on the M1 from Tinsley. As some of you may be aware, they are gearing up for roadworks and have average speed cameras set up with a 50mph speed limit. So there I am tootling along and a big lorry drew alongside matching my speed.

 

I happened to glance at one of the wheels (and it was just the one wheel) and in the centre of the hub there was some sort of, what I can only assume was a revolution counter, which was weighted at the bottom so it wasn't revolving with the wheel. It was a akin to an old style odometer on a car with analogue numbers, running to perhaps 8 digits.

 

Why?....Yes it was probably counting wheel revolutions, but I don't understand what the point would be. Measuring tyre wear perhaps? What's wrong with the mileometer?...Or am I missing something blatantly obvious (wouldn't be the first time).

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I was driving home last night, north on the M1 from Tinsley. As some of you may be aware, they are gearing up for roadworks and have average speed cameras set up with a 50mph speed limit. So there I am tootling along and a big lorry drew alongside matching my speed.

 

I happened to glance at one of the wheels (and it was just the one wheel) and in the centre of the hub there was some sort of, what I can only assume was a revolution counter, which was weighted at the bottom so it wasn't revolving with the wheel. It was a akin to an old style odometer on a car with analogue numbers, running to perhaps 8 digits.

 

Why?....Yes it was probably counting wheel revolutions, but I don't understand what the point would be. Measuring tyre wear perhaps? What's wrong with the mileometer?...Or am I missing something blatantly obvious (wouldn't be the first time).

 

Distance the trailer has covered? I assume it was a trailer wheel the meter was on..maybe something to do with the trailer hire company..

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Distance the trailer has covered? I assume it was a trailer wheel the meter was on..maybe something to do with the trailer hire company..

 

Hmmmm...Quite possibly.....Would it be something to do with servicing the trailer at certain intervals? Do trailers have a sort of MOT?....Why Have I never seen anything like it before?...Not ever?

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Hmmmm...Quite possibly.....Would it be something to do with servicing the trailer at certain intervals? Do trailers have a sort of MOT?....Why Have I never seen anything like it before?...Not ever?

 

I've seen lots of them...I thought it might be for trailer rental..maybe they charge per 1000 miles or something..? Dunno... really just guessing..

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I've seen lots of them...I thought it might be for trailer rental..maybe they charge per 1000 miles or something..? Dunno... really just guessing..

 

Maybe I've just not been very observant, cos I've never seen one before...But having said that, it was on the nearside of the trailer. Whereas I would normally be on the offside, overtaking or whatever. I wouldn't normally be on that side.

 

It's sods law now, I'm gonna see them everywhere. :)

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Hub odometer. Very common device - amazed you never saw them before. They used to be all over buses not so long ago. MEans you can just walk down the fleet and record the mileage withouot having to get in the cab - and not all buses had odometers in teh cab.

 

Same for a trailer unit that needs servicing - there is nowhere else to really put an odometer.

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Maybe I've just not been very observant, cos I've never seen one before...But having said that, it was on the nearside of the trailer. Whereas I would normally be on the offside, overtaking or whatever. I wouldn't normally be on that side.

 

It's sods law now, I'm gonna see them everywhere. :)

 

I probably do a lot more miles than you.... 40,000 a year .... I have more opportunity to see them..

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I don't think they are that common anymore but ten years back they were. I guess you dont spend time looking at bus wheels :-)

 

I avoid buses at every level....I can't remember the last time I caught a bus, and I certainly give them a wide berth when driving.

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