3 Simple Ways to Inspect & Maintain OTR Tires

Off-the-road (OTR) tires are used for heavy-duty, off-road vehicles and are designed to withstand conditions that would render most vehicles useless. But what happens when these tires fail to perform as expected? In order to prevent costly blowout replacements and repairs, fleet managers need to ensure their OTR tires are properly inspected and well-maintained. On our this post we share 3 Simple Ways to Inspect & Maintain OTR Tires

Routine Inspection

Any time your fleet prepares to travel, your tires should be thoroughly inspected — especially when it comes to air pressure. Be sure to inspect the following before departure, during travel, and after arriving at your final destination:

• Air Pressure: Ensure each tire is inflated at the proper levels, avoiding under-inflation or over-inflation.
• Valve Caps: Inspect that each valve cap is secured properly to prevent air leakage and poor inflation.
• Tread Depth: Check the tread depth of your tires regularly to ensure they are able to handle the job ahead.
• Sidewalls: Visually inspect the sidewalls of your tires for any irregularities that could indicate immediate repair or replacement needs, such as cracking, bulging, tearing, or dry rot.

Simply performing regular tire inspections can help you determine the need for repairs or maintenance before more costly issues arise.

Wear & Tear Prevention to Maintain OTR Tires

Prevention methods can also help fleet managers avoid OTR tire damage. By taking a few preventative measures, fleet managers can extend the life of their tires and avoid costly repairs or replacements:

• Sealant: Outfitting tires with internal sealant can help prevent air loss by sealing punctures as they occur.
• Tire Pressure Management Systems: These systems are designed to provide operators with real-time data related to their OTR tire pressure, allowing them to keep their tires operating at peak performance.

Consider these preventative measures for your fleet in order to extend the life of your OTR tires.

Maintenance Schedules & OTR Tires

Establishing a routine maintenance schedule is crucial to ensuring your tires are reliable and long-lasting. Having a TIA-certified tire technician professionally inspect your tires will provide you with the following:

• Inflation and flat-tire inspections using calibrated air gauges
• Tread depth measurement
• Damage assessments, including flat spots, cuts, tread lifts, and unusual wear patterns
• Detection of misaligned valve stems, spun/damaged wheels, missing valve caps, leaking oil seals, and more
• Tightening wheel nuts and torque correction
• Inspection of vehicle damage contributing to downtime

Not only will a formal maintenance review by a certified technician provide you with valuable information about your OTR tires, but maintenance will also ensure your vehicle is in optimal health to handle its expected workload.

STTC Is Your OTR Tire Partner

The best way to ensure your OTR tires stay on the road is by partnering with STTC as your tire service provider. Offering fleet managers everything from customized maintenance schedules, live asset tracking, and tire pressure management systems, our team of TIA-certified tire technicians have the skills and tools you need for continued performance within your fleet. Contact us today to learn more about our OTR tire service offerings!