| Author |
Message |
R. TERRY (64.12.96.235)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 4:39 am: | |
I managed to talk Phoenix Transit out of a brand new RTS Coach Operating Manual. (Lucky me!) But I was curious as to why it had been unused. It plainly says on the front cover, "Keep with coach at all times." I expected to get a book that had as much wear and tear as my coach.
According to the training manager, the books are not dispensed to new operators; instead, a VHS instructional tape is issued. OK. Call me old fashioned, but I think I prefer "DA BOOK"!
Right away I was curious about something else. On page 8, under a section on tires, it reads: "NOTICE: Steel belted radial tires are not recommended for use on the coaches covered in this manual."
It doesn't say what tires are recommended. So far, all I know about tires on this coach is this:
The tires are stamped "Transit" and have a VNE of 55 mph. (Oops, I snuck in some pilot jargon - the never exceed speed.) I was told by a mechanic that a prolonged trip at 60 mph in excess of two hours would cause all the tires to fail. I was told by a training specialist that, many years ago when the new RTS buses first arrived after having been driven to Phoenix under their own power, the tires were apparently so hot they had turned BLUE! None failed, but they were not the right color after the trip.
So, what is the story on steel belted radials and why are they not recommended for the RTS? What is the big difference between a highway tire and a transit tire? And lastly, what if those original RTS buses had kept going? Would those tires have gone from blue to, say, PURPLE?
I don't want any BLUE tires on MY bus!
R. TERRY |
Geoff (64.1.0.129)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 7:02 am: | |
I have that in my manual too, but all it apparently means is that they don't cover steel belted radials in the manual and all their data and tire information is for bias-ply tires. City tranport tires are cheaper so city buses that will never see the freeway can run them. On the other hand, I have seen countless RTS buses with highway tires-- there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't put steel belted radials on an RTS (just don't mix them in with the bias ply). Also, I have also heard of city transport tires coming apart on the freeway after hours of high speed driving, but I've never heard of them turning blue!
--Geoff
'82 RTS CA |
Darryl (24.240.118.146)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 9:21 pm: | |
Another reason for the recommended "Transit" type tire is because it is better suited for the type of service it is likely to see on a transit bus. The sidewalls are thicker as well as the belts on the bottom. They take abuse (curbs) much better. This is also the reason they have a speed limit. All that rubber generates more heat when run at high speeds.
Many people have bought transit buses at auction and were not aware of the tire speed limitations. Eventually they overheated with prolonged highway speed (while going home) and blew out. Some transit systems that run long expressway routes only run regular tires on their buses. There isn't a problem doing this. However, they don't take curb abuse as well. |
R. TERRY (152.163.188.227)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 1:11 am: | |
The more I've thought about blue tires, the more I liked the idea.
Several cans of spray paint - and not much imagination - and Presto! you have wild tires.
I was leaning towards pink. Then I remembered the pink flamingos I put in my yard once in a moment of delirium. The next morning they were all stolen. (Who do I thank?)
Orange tires sound good to me.
Tire flavor of the month.
(Just kidding!)
R. TERRY |
OLMoldy (208.18.102.71)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 10:30 am: | |
You can always lay on the hi-way and stick your tongue out to get the true flavor of the month, watch for those that my dog (Saint Bernard) might have marked.
Just had to reply, to a good since of humor, keep having a good time, that's what life is about. |
|