I know they aren’t spikes but couldn’t remember the term for em. Lol
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They are both decoration and practical. Semi trucks have long lug nuts holding the wheels on the hubs. The long lugs in the back are also installed in the front for practical reasons (less parts in inventory, less chances of installing short lugs on the rear, etc). If you don’t cover the extra threads that are exposed to the weather, they get filled with dirt, rust, etc. and the lugnuts jam due to the debris on the threads.
They used to have plain covers, but truckers want to make their vehicles custom to their personalities, so they buy spinners, chrome, extra lights, etc to make their vehicles unique.
Side note : if you ever see plastic flaps, on the tires, these are so the driver can see if the tire is spinning on ice/snow
Not really related but lug nut covers are usually plastic. super cheap and breaks a lot.
A lot of times you can look at somebody’s truck and tell if the guy cares about the job or not too.
The rear tires are bolted to an axle and hub only where the front tires are bolted to control arms hub and steering capability. This causes a different point where the weight needs to set. Something like that.
it’s mainly cosmetic. a lot of big rig drivers practically live in their big rigs so it’s like a home to them. and some of them like to customize their homes, just like ppl like to customize their cars and stuff.
“for looks” is part of it. But another part is to make sure you’re aware and looking. Giant, deadly wheels of mayhem are right there. Truckers like to make them giant, deadly, pointy, shiny well lit wheels of mayhem so you don’t run into them. You say you see them and when you’re on your bike you wonder if they’ll maim you. THAT is the point of them. To make you more aware.
[Curious case of Truck Spikes](https://carfromjapan.com/article/car-maintenance/the-curious-case-of-spikes-on-truck-wheels/)
If you accidentally bump or scrape something, the spikes can help offset any major damage (like the actual Rim and bolts). This way only a minor cosmetic thats cheap to replace is broken.
The biggest thing is they are more of a cool truck decoration. Their popularity is partly due to the price and ease of installation. They also really make a difference for the truck lovers out there.
Just a note, these spikes break off very easily. No worries about a Mad Max rig tearing into your car on the highway. Even if they might give that appearance.
[Alternate answer from u/Kanakamaoli](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/ftbfmd/eli5_is_there_any_reason_the_front_tires_on_18/fm756yj?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share) : Extended Lug Bolts in the front wheels are covered and protected with the lug covers. Initially they were plain, but truck drivers love customizing their trucks.
Front tyres have single tyres, the other tyres are dual rims. The rims are fairly similar – a dual tyre has two of them back-to back, but the front wheels only have one of these rims. It is mounted ‘backwards’, much like an ordinary car tyre is, so that the wheel and its load is closer to the pivots and bearings, reducing the leverage you’d get by mounting the wheel the other way, holding the wheel away from the hub.
Didn’t you watch Mad Max? C’mon man
>**Is there any reason the front tires on 18 wheelers have the spikes that stick out compared to inset in the rear tires?**
Have you *never* seen Speed Racer?
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