%#!&# Road Gators - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

oldschool56 · 04-03-2015, 08:51 PM

Since October of last year my car has been hit twice by tire retreads, aka road gators, that were kicked up and thrown by the car in front of me.

My car is in the body shop now from being hit by a five footer. The entire front cover is being replaced along with damage repair to the drivers door. I wish Texas would come down harder on these big rigs throwing retreads.

I guess on as happier note, my comprehensive is covering it. Out of 1800.00 repair costs, my part is 245.00 and I'll be getting as brand new front cover sans rock chips. On an even happier note, I'm still here to be able to write this thread.

Spec · 04-03-2015, 09:13 PM

Lost my lower rubber air deflector due to road debris...

Glad you're okay!

Chevy_cowboy · 04-04-2015, 12:21 AM

That sucks, glad it wasn't worse. Cars can be fixed.

But FYI, gators aren't all from retreads, virgin tires blow too and just as often (and for the same reasons, usually lack of maintenance) Retreads get a bad reputation from people who don't understand the process, but when done right and maintained properly they're as reliable as virgin rubber.

beany323 · 04-04-2015, 12:24 AM

was driving my Evo a few years back.. nothing i could do was grab the wheel and go over it. pulled over and noticed that it had ripped off my rear license plate. ow!

now i maintain a good distance from other cars. In my daily and weekend car. you dont like my speed.. go the hell around. (fyi i am aware of other drivers and the road conditions and will move over once i am able to).

PalmerGA · 04-04-2015, 05:31 AM

This is why the "three second rule" is a good idea when traveling on high-speed roadways. This would give you time to react to incidences occurring in front of you, without having to make a panic move. You can safely dodge those road gators.

Glad no one got hurt and hope your repairs go well.

Smokin19 · 04-04-2015, 05:34 AM

Having had a tire separate on an 18 wheeler in front of me on my bike, ever since I make sure I am keeping a good distance from all vehicles. This also gives you more time to see what is coming in your lane. Not all accidents are preventable but, you can lower your risk.

Backspin9 · 04-04-2015, 05:46 AM

Sorry that happened. Sometimes you can't avoid it, but I try to stay away from driving behind trucks, mostly because of the rocks they toss up. More than once I've had a rock hit the front end, the hood, or the windshield on previous cars. It's amazing what a pebble can do at 70 mph.

JWood · 04-04-2015, 09:28 AM

I have a small ding on my roof from a road gator thrown up in the air by a suv two lanes over.
JWood

FilibustaRhymes · 04-04-2015, 10:23 AM

Road gators are exactly the reason I sold my motorcycle and don't ride on two wheels anymore. It's fun, but I get a lot of fun out of my Camaro, too, and I'd prefer to be able to continue to enjoy it.

They really are a problem. Just not sure what the solution would be.

el ess A · 04-04-2015, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FilibustaRhymes

They really are a problem. Just not sure what the solution would be.

Flying trucks....naturally. Leave the roads to us...

Evil-Bee-NH · 04-04-2015, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el ess A

Flying trucks....naturally. Leave the roads to us...

jd10013 · 04-04-2015, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy_cowboy

That sucks, glad it wasn't worse. Cars can be fixed.

But FYI, gators aren't all from retreads, virgin tires blow too and just as often (and for the same reason, lack of maintenance) Retreads get a bad reputation from people who don't understand the process, but when done right and maintained properly they're as reliable as virgin rubber.

no they're not. if they were as good as virgin tires it wouldn't be illegal to put them on the front wheels

Angrybird 12 · 04-04-2015, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PalmerGA

This is why the "three second rule" is a good idea when traveling on high-speed roadways. This would give you time to react to incidences occurring in front of you, without having to make a panic move. You can safely dodge those road gators.

Glad no one got hurt and hope your repairs go well.

Does not help when someone hits one in the lane beside you and knocks it into your lane. It's happened to me twice. One time it hit my front right wheel and jammed into the wheelwell locking up the wheel throwing me into a spin at 70mph... We did 2 360's before the tire came out and I got the car straightened out. Luckily we didn't hit anything...or anyone hit us. The other time it broke my fog light out.

Mels RS · 04-04-2015, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd10013

no they're not. if they were as good as virgin tires it wouldn't be illegal to put them on the front wheels

Would it upset you to know that all large aircraft tires, including airliners and military aircraft are recaps?

04-03-2015, 08:51 PM	#1
oldschool56 Drives: 2012 Auto Black/Black 2LT/RS Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 85	%#!&# Road Gators Since October of last year my car has been hit twice by tire retreads, aka road gators, that were kicked up and thrown by the car in front of me. My car is in the body shop now from being hit by a five footer. The entire front cover is being replaced along with damage repair to the drivers door. I wish Texas would come down harder on these big rigs throwing retreads. I guess on as happier note, my comprehensive is covering it. Out of 1800.00 repair costs, my part is 245.00 and I'll be getting as brand new front cover sans rock chips. On an even happier note, I'm still here to be able to write this thread.

04-04-2015, 12:21 AM	#3
Chevy_cowboy Drives: 2011 IOM 2SS/RS M6 Convertible Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,287 View My Garage	That sucks, glad it wasn't worse. Cars can be fixed. But FYI, gators aren't all from retreads, virgin tires blow too and just as often (and for the same reasons, usually lack of maintenance) Retreads get a bad reputation from people who don't understand the process, but when done right and maintained properly they're as reliable as virgin rubber. __________________ Last edited by Chevy_cowboy; 04-04-2015 at 02:24 PM.

04-04-2015, 12:24 AM	#4
beany323 Drives: Camaro 2SS /RS/1LE Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Southern Cali. Posts: 1,566 View My Garage	was driving my Evo a few years back.. nothing i could do was grab the wheel and go over it. pulled over and noticed that it had ripped off my rear license plate. ow! now i maintain a good distance from other cars. In my daily and weekend car. you dont like my speed.. go the hell around. (fyi i am aware of other drivers and the road conditions and will move over once i am able to). __________________ "The fact the GT500 can barely beat a $37k car with 200 less horsepower speaks volumes. There are about a million mods you can do to a LS3 to make a Camaro do the 1/4 faster then a GT500." (Vroom.) Updated w/ Willow Springs: 1. Nissan GTR Track Pack 1:19.6 2. Ducati 1198 S 1:19.7 3. Nissan GTR 1:20.3 4. Corvette Z06 1:20.4 5. Audi R8 V10 Plus 1:22.0 6. Ferrari 458 Italia 1:22.3 7. CAMARO SS 1LE 1:22.7 8. Shelby GT 500 1:23.5 9. Mustang Gt Track Pack 1:25.8

04-04-2015, 05:31 AM	#5
PalmerGA Drives: 2013 SIM 1SS/RS L99 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southwest GA Posts: 8,755 View My Garage	This is why the "three second rule" is a good idea when traveling on high-speed roadways. This would give you time to react to incidences occurring in front of you, without having to make a panic move. You can safely dodge those road gators. Glad no one got hurt and hope your repairs go well. __________________ 2013 1SS/RS Coupe L99, Stainless Power Works LT Headers, SCT X4 Custom Tune from RDP, CAI Inc. Air Intake w/ Apex Scoop, VMAX CNC Ported Throttle Body, Solo Axle-Back Exhaust w/ J-pipes, Apex Catch Can, Husky Splash Guards, Heritage Grille, 3D Carbon Rear Spoiler, Oracle Chrome Turn Signal Bulbs, GM Reverse Light Trim Billets, Gorilla Black Locking Lugs, Emblem Pros Retro SS Badges/Custom Retro SS Kickplates/Under-hood Bowtie, 35% window Tint, Nitto Motivo Tires (6-8-18)

04-04-2015, 05:34 AM	#6
Smokin19 Drives: 19' ZL1 A10, w/pdr Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: S.W. ohio Posts: 1,555	Having had a tire separate on an 18 wheeler in front of me on my bike, ever since I make sure I am keeping a good distance from all vehicles. This also gives you more time to see what is coming in your lane. Not all accidents are preventable but, you can lower your risk. __________________ BTR Stg II cam w/ 38% fuel lobe, ARH 2" headers into 3" w/cats, AWE Touring, Kong X port, Weapon X triple ht exchangers, NW 103, Rotofab big gulp, DSX lowside, TCM tune, BMR Lockout, Mustang dyno 720 rwhp, 634 rwtq on 93 pump.

04-03-2015, 09:13 PM	#2
Spec Account Suspended Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 4,018	Lost my lower rubber air deflector due to road debris... Glad you're okay!

04-04-2015, 05:46 AM	#7
Backspin9 Drives: The red one Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 317	Sorry that happened. Sometimes you can't avoid it, but I try to stay away from driving behind trucks, mostly because of the rocks they toss up. More than once I've had a rock hit the front end, the hood, or the windshield on previous cars. It's amazing what a pebble can do at 70 mph.

04-04-2015, 09:28 AM	#8
JWood RJT 2LT is a blast Drives: 2010 Camaro 2004 Tahoe Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 74	I have a small ding on my roof from a road gator thrown up in the air by a suv two lanes over. JWood

04-04-2015, 10:23 AM	#9
FilibustaRhymes Drives: SS Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: USA Posts: 529	Road gators are exactly the reason I sold my motorcycle and don't ride on two wheels anymore. It's fun, but I get a lot of fun out of my Camaro, too, and I'd prefer to be able to continue to enjoy it. They really are a problem. Just not sure what the solution would be.