Proactive tire prep for the summer season

Proactive tire prep for the summer season

GCR

Summer is peak hauling season. Fleets must identify and address truck issues now before they interrupt operations, causing missed deadlines and delivery dates. Where does that process start? With tires.

A variety of factors can impact tire performance and result in unplanned downtime—from tread depth to inflation pressure. GCR Tires and Service recommended the following steps to maximize tire performance and safety this summer:

1. Select the right tire for the application

The first step to summer tire prep is choosing the right tire, considering the vehicle type, load range, environment and intended purpose. GCR recommends fleet managers work together with a trusted service provider to address the following and ensure that an appropriate tire is selected based on that fleet’s unique needs: the type of carrier the fleet utilizes; average miles traveled per year; and the number of trailers and trucks in the fleet.

2. Set and maintain proper inflation pressure

Improper tire pressure—under- or over-inflation—can cause uneven wear or casing damage over time. This damage can make a casing unfit for retreading, preventing a fleet from capitalizing on that casing’s full performance potential. GCR technicians recommend fleets check tire pressure at each wheel position, every day before starting a haul. Tires should be checked with a calibrated tire pressure gauge when cold (driven for less than a mile at a moderate speed or parked for three or more hours) to ensure measurements and adjustments are accurate.

3. Inspect tires for road-related damage

Improper tire pressure or misalignment can cause issues such as inner rib wear, heel-toe wear, flat spotting, cuts, cracks or bulges. These can all be easily identified and addressed by conducting a hands-on tire assessment before and during the haul. That said, it is important to also work with TIA-trained technicians, like those at GCR, to conduct a full tire assessment at each wheel position to identify issues early on before they result in downtime.

4. Abide by tires’ recommended maximum speed

Many trucks are running heavier loads for longer distances, and with the introduction of higher speed limits, they are doing so at higher speeds. This makes it critical for fleet managers to be proactive in their tire maintenance to keep trucks running safely. Before each haul, remember to remind commercial truck drivers to abide by their tires’ maximum recommended speed, even if it is slower than posted speed limits.

Proactive tire maintenance is key to keep fleets running efficiently and safely this summer season. Implement and follow the steps above to maximize performance and uptime heading into peak hauling season.

This article was contributed by Ron Greenleaf, regional sales manager for GCR Tires and Service.

You May Also Like

Class 8 orders strong in February

Even when seasonally adjusted, ACT says preliminary order numbers for February are up 5% over January.

ACT-Class-8-Feb-truck-orders

According to the latest numbers from ACT Research, preliminary North America Class 8 net orders were 27,700 units, up 600 units from January and 16% from a year ago. With the fourth-largest seasonal factor of the year at 8%, seasonal adjustment reduces February’s Class 8 intake to 25,600 units, up 5% from January.

“Weak freight and carrier profitability fundamentals, and large carriers guiding to lower capex in 2024, would imply pressure in U.S. tractor, the North American Class 8 market’s largest segment,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “While we do not yet have the underlying detail for February order volumes, Class 8 demand continuing at high levels again this month suggests that U.S. buyers continue as strong market participants.”

Kenworth delivers 15-liter natural gas-powered truck to UPS

The truck is equipped with the Cummins X15N, which Kenworth says will meet CARB and EPA Requirements for both 2024 and 2027.

Kenworth-delivers-CNG-truck-to-UPS
ACT Research: 2024 could see trucking recovery

Despite trucking demand remaining weak, ACT Research says imports and international data indicate positive trends in 2024.

ACT-for-hire-index-Jan-24
Navistar progressing toward autonomous hub-to-hub transport

Autonomous truck testing is underway, and the company expects customer pilots to be delivered later this year.

Navistar-Autonomous-partnership-Plus-international-truck
FTR Trucking Conditions Index falls in December

FTR says the drop was mostly due to higher capital cost and a deterioration in freight rates, a trend that could stretch into 2024.

FTR-TCI-december-2023

Other Posts

Goodyear unveils two RangeMax tires deisgned for regional work

Goodyear says the new tire models balance traction, range and mileage for work vehicles running on electricity, gas or diesel.

Goodyear-rangemax tires-group-logo
Double Coin FR610, other tires to be displayed at MATS

The FR610 is the latest SmartWay Verified long haul steer tire in Double Coin’s lineup.

Double-coin-logo-truck-tire-generic
Fullbay: Repair shop sales and labor rates rose in 2023

A new report shows that counter sales and labor rates rose significantly in 2023 from the previous year.

Fullbay-TMC
ACT Research: Trailer orders dip as cancellations climb

Preliminary data for net trailer orders in January seems to follow a continued softening trend, according to ACT Research.

ACT-Research-Trailer-Net-Orders-down-Cancellations-up-Jan-2024