Suicide knobs

I use them and find them to be very helpful when backing; they give me the ability to make small or large adjustments with ease. Since first trying one out I have never been without one.

As I recall, they were called "suicide knobs" because on a four-wheeler they had a tendency to get caught in the sleeve opening above the wrist button on long-sleeved shirts when turning; which could then prevent you from counter-steering and caused many accidents. Like "suicide doors" on the old Lincoln Continentals, where the rear doors where hinged on the right of the door, 'suicide knobs" were an accident waiting to happen. Semi-trucks require minimal rotation when turning and therefore do not pose the threat that is present in passenger vehicles, due to the greater rotation required for turning. But, back in the '50's, if you wanted to be 'cool', a raccoon tail on the antenna, a large pair of sponge dice hanging from the rear view mirror, and a suicide-knob were mandatory equipment.

Fingerless gloves; they're just way cool!!! They put all of us un-cool truck driverS on notice to step aside and let a real driver through and are generally accompanied by a chain from belt to wallet and for the truly cool, a large knife strapped to the leg let's us know that he's DANGEROUS!!!!

 

after 15 yrs of driving w/o a spinner (i am 2 cheap to spend $ on luxuries), i acquired a truck that the previous driver left his suicide knob in. about 2 months later I started to get a real severe pain in my left arm around the elbow, so bad that I couldnt grip anything. I couldnt even bring a can of soda to my mouth using my left hand, pretty inconveinent as I am left-handed. (yes, even wiping my ##### hurt!) at a doctor's appt for something else, I casually mentioned to my doc. He quickly diagnosed this as "tennis elbow". I dont play tennis. havnt got the time. He asked if anything had changed in my environment or activities. I quickly thought of the spinner and removed it that day!Within 4 weeks of removing it, and wearing this dorky looking arm band below my elbow, the pain is gone! I cant say for sure that's what caused the problem, but no more spinner = no more pain for me!

 

If using a spinner caused your lateral epicondylitis, you have much bigger arm problems than the spinner. It can also be caused by nothing at all or doing something where you have a constant tension on the elbow joint. A front end that pulls to one side comes to mind.

 

I had the misfortune of having one of these on a truck i owned many years ago,i stopped at the weigh station in Cle elum,Wa. I was told to pull to the side and bring in my paperwork.Once inside the D.O.T.officer said you know why i pulled you around and i stated that i did not.He said that ball on your steering wheel is only legal on farm tractors.With that he did a complete and thorough inspection of everything,needless to say he found some things to write me up and fine me for....never had one on since,Well except for my farm tractors.........D.J.

 

those nobs are just for the NON drivers out there....if you HAVE to have a suicide knob to back up or turn your truck....YOU need to get off the road.....

 

Im stuck in the middle with knobs. I dont like them on the steering wheel because they are never out of the way enough for me, however my left palm (which is what I always use to back) the skin hurts so bad after doing a couple backs in a day that it would be nice to either have a knob or a different steering wheel that is a little slipperyier (or atleast still has the factory coating on it)

 

The only mention of "suicide" knobs in the FMCSA is with regards to their use for a person with handicap to be able to use to overcome said handicap. (IE) Person is missing a hand and uses this device to assist in operation of steering. It would be listed on the liscense not unlike a person required to use glasses. Aside from that I would assume that the laws mentioned are old school from the days of non-power steering. I'm sure its still on the books in many states but out dated and silly by today's standards. Not unlike some of these...........



In Ottumwa, Iowa, "It is unlawful for any male person, within the corporate limits of the (city), to wink at any female person with whom he is unacquainted."

In Los Angeles, you cannot bathe two babies in the same tub at the same time.

In Zion, Ill., it is illegal for anyone to give lighted cigars to dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals kept as pets.

In Carmel, N.Y., a man can't go outside while wearing a jacket and pants that do not match. << Note: this law isn't silly. Write your legislators today and get this PASSED in your area now!!>>

In St. Louis, it's illegal to sit on the curb of any city street and drink beer from a bucket.

In Hartford, Conn., you aren't allowed to cross a street while walking on your hands.

In Baltimore, it's illegal to throw bales of hay from a second-story window within the city limits. It's also illegal to take a lion to the movies.

In Oxford, Ohio, it's illegal for a woman to strip off her clothing while standing in front of a man's picture.

In Carrizozo, N.M., it's forbidden for a female to appear unshaven in public (includes legs and face).

In Pennsylvania it is illegal to have over 16 women live in a house together because that constitutes a brothel...however up to 120 men can live together, without breaking the law.
In Michigan, a woman isn't allowed to cut her own hair without her husband's permission.

Masachewshits:

It is illegal to take more than 2 baths a month within Boston confines.


Two people cannot kiss in front of a church.

All Public Displays of Affection (PDAs) are forbidden on Sunday.

Pedestrians always have the right of way.
Pennsylvania:

In certain sections of Pennsylvania many years ago, the Farmer's Anti-Automobile society set up some "rules of the road." In effect, they said:
1. "Automobiles travelling on country roads at night must send up a rocket every mile, then wait ten minutes for the road to clear."
2. "If a driver sees a team of horses, he is to pull to one side of the road and cover his machine with a blanket or dust cover that has been painted to blend into the scenery."
3. "In the event that a horse refuses to pass a car on the road, the owner must take his car apart and conceal the parts in the bushes."
Utah:
It is against the law to fish from horseback.
Ohio:
In Bexley, Ordinance number 223, of 09/09/19 prohibits the installation and usage of slot machines in outhouses.
Indiana:
Back in 1924, a monkey was convicted in South Bend of the crime of smoking a cigarette and sentenced to pay a 25 dollar fine and the trial costs.
Kansas: No one may catch fish with his bare hands in Kansas.
California:

In 1930, the City Council of Ontario passed an ordinance forbidding roosters to crow within the city limits.
Oklahoma:
Harthahorne City Ordinance, Section 363, states that it shall be unlawful to put any hypnotized person in a display window. These excerpts are from the book "Loony Laws" by Robert Pelton (Walker; $8.95) Enjoy!


In Clawson, Mich., there is a law that makes it LEGAL for a farmer to sleep with his pigs, cows, horses, goats, and chickens.

In Gary, Ind., persons are prohibited from attending a movie house or other theater and from riding a public streetcar within four hours of eating garlic.

In Miami, it's illegal for men to be seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown.

In Detroit, couples are banned from making love in an automobile unless the act takes place while the vehicle is parked on the couple's own property.

In Harford, Conn., you aren't allowed to cross a street while walking on your hands.

In Nicholas County, W. Va., no member of the clergy is allowed to tell jokes or humorous stories from the pulpit during a church service.

In California, animals are banned from mating publicly within 1,500 feet of a tavern, school, or place of worship.

In Los Angeles, a man is legally entitled to beat his wife with a leather belt or strap, but the belt can't be wider than 2 inches, unless he has his wife's consent to beat her with a wider strap.

In Kentucky, "No female shall appear in a bathing suit on any highway within this state unless she be escorted by at least two officers or unless she be armed with a club"

An amendment to the above legislation: "The provisions of this statuate shall not apply to females weighing less than 90 pounds nor exceeding 200 pounds, nor shall it apply to female horses." In Grand Haven, Michigan, no person shall throw an abandoned hoop skirt into any street or on any sidewalk, under penalty of a five- dollar fine for each offense.


In Russell, Kansas, it is against the law to have a musical car horn.

A Glendale, California, ordinance permits horror films to be shown only on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays.

Cicero, Illinois, prohibits humming on public streets on Sundays.

Hunting with a rifle is permitted in Norfolk County, Virgina - provided that the hunter is fifteen feet off the ground.

You may water your lawn on Staten Island, New York, provided that you hold the hose in your hand while doing so; but to lay a hose on the lawn or to use a sprinkler for watering your lawn is unlawful.

Clinton County, Ohio, calls for a fine for anyone caught leaning against a
public building.

Loins may not be taken to the theater in Maryland.

Abilene, Texas, makes it illegal to idle or loiter anyplace within the corporate limits of the city for the purpose of flirting or mashing. It is illegal to walk around with a concealed ice cream cone.

 

I love it when people quote goofy laws that probably aren't true!! As far as suicide knobs, when my truck is in the shop and I hafta borrow somebody else's (which is a pretty regular occurrence) that's the first thing that gets removed. I'm too used to using the wheel with both hands that I only whack my wrist on the knob.

 

My truck did pull to the right (and hard too). wore out a set of steer tires on one edge b4 we traded it in. well...got a 2010 Pete, that didnt pull. the pain went away after a little while. I think I owe you some $ for the "diagnosis". thx