Internal tire options to improve tire life and performance
In recent years, a growing number of products designed to be used inside mounted truck tires have begun to emerge, leaving fleet managers with plenty of choices. These products are promoted to improve vehicle ride, reduce punctures and keep tires running cool—which will help in increasing casing retreadability and improve fuel economy—while others reportedly reduce
Maximizing tire removal miles
Tires continue to be the highest fleet maintenance cost, next to fuel. Fleets all have similar goals when it comes to their tires: Maximizing tire removal miles, increasing fuel economy, improving retreadability of the tire casing and reducing tire-related roadside service calls are all important to keep the tire budget in line. There are many
Truck tire retreading: An overview
Depending on which industry statistics you find most reliable, somewhere between 85% to 90% of commercial trucking fleets retread their tires at least one time. A retread is approximately 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of a new tire, so it clearly is in the fleet’s best interest to protect this valuable tire casing from damage.
Understanding tire pressure recommendations
Determining the best tire pressure to run in your steer, drive and trailer tires should be very easy, but in reality it can be very confusing. Proper tire inflation pressure is critical for many reasons: optimizing tire footprint, maximizing treadwear; keeping tires running cool; maximizing retreadability; increasing fuel economy; minimizing irregular wear; and reducing tire
Tire program optimization for the winter
With the beginning of another long winter season approaching, now is the best time to ensure that your tires are in optimal condition to brave the snow, ice and slushy driving situations. Even though the legal tread depth is 4/32-in. for steer tires and 2/32-in. for drives, trailer and dollies, running tires down to these
How proper tire practices can reduce roadside service calls
Commercial fleets take tires and tire programs seriously. With the average price of a new tire in the $500+ range, tire-related expenses play a major role in a fleet’s bottom line. Being stuck on the side of a road waiting for a flat tire to be serviced is not just costing your fleet money—it is
What to know about tires and 6×2 configurations
Many commercial fleets are evaluating the benefits of specifying new tractors with a 6×2 configuration versus the more popular 6×4 configuration. The standard 6×4 consists of three axles and six wheel-ends; both axles have driven axles. The new 6×2 features three axles and six wheel-ends on which only one of the axles is driven. The
Special considerations for steer axle tires
Retreading commercial tires is standard operating procedure for successful fleets. Depending on the specific retread design and tread depth, retreads cost approximately one-third to one-half the price of a new tire. Fleets are always looking for ways to protect that tire casing since it is a valuable asset. Retreads can be used on any wheel
Protecting your tire investment
The most common commercial truck tire size is the 295/75R22.5. Typical pricing at a local truck stop is about $500 for a steer and drive tire, while a trailer tire is in the $425 range. Of course, your actual pricing will vary depending on the specific make and model. Widebase tires (445/50R22.5) cost more than
What you need to know about tire mileage testing
Tire manufacturers are continuously developing new products for steer, drive and trailer tires. Many of these new tire makes/models are designed to increase removal mileage (miles/32 in.). A combination of new and improved compounds along with design and construction enhancements can lead to increased tire removal mileages. The key is to determine if the specific
How do you properly determine tire cost?
Today’s fleets understand how important tires are to the success of their total maintenance budgets. With the average price of a commercial truck tire in the $500 range, fleets take tires seriously. It is not always a simple procedure to determine exactly what goes into the total cost of owning a tire over time. Tire
Choosing the proper truck tire
Selecting the proper steer, drive, trailer, and dolly tires for your fleets is not always intuitively obvious. Depending on the specific service vocation, there are plenty of tire options available in the market. Fleet operators, maintenance managers and tire purchasers all need to understand the tire selection process and the thought process in selecting the