Why Truck Tire Maintenance is Essential For Your Commercial Fleet?
Truck tires take a lot of abuse. Whether it is an 18-wheeler hauling a cross-country shipment or a small commercial delivery truck bringing a package to a residence, proper maintenance is required. Trucking fleets throughout the world have realized the importance of a proactive maintenance program, and efforts in implementing them have been effective for longevity and profitability. Why Truck Tire Maintenance is Essential? We will find out in this post.
In this day and age, it is not enough to simply change tires when old ones wear out. Trucking companies need to take advantage of predictive maintenance programs and keep their tires in top shape throughout their useful lives and to know when their casing inventory may be ready for another lifecycle via retreading.
There are several tips and tricks that drivers and carriers can use to ensure their tires are safe and efficient.
Check Tire Pressure
One tire being chronically under or overinflated will not only wear that individual tire faster, but can put stress on the rest of the tires carrying the load. It is vital to check the pressure on all tires to ensure proper weight distribution and reduce drag on one side. This will increase the life expectancy of the tires and make for a safer ride.
Rotate and Align Tires Regularly
Commercial truck tires carry a lot of weight over long miles on a daily basis. This means that they can wear out quickly. Truck tires should be rotated every 6,000-8,000 miles to ensure that tread wear distribution is even. Due to the nature of the heavy hauls, rear tires often wear out more quickly than front ones. Uneven tread wear can lead to drag on the truck, reducing fuel efficiency and making for more dangerous driving conditions, especially when weather becomes severe.
Drive Safely
Most CDL drivers know the importance of staying safe on the road. Safe driving habits are also beneficial to truck tires, as reckless or choppy driving can lead to premature wear and tear or a higher likelihood of a blowout. Every tire comes with a specific safety and speed rating. Staying consistent with these will ensure that they enjoy a longer lifetime and provide safe service throughout their usage period.
Don’t Skip Out on Inspections
Although it can seem tedious, tire inspections should be made before every trip. Anything can happen, even on the most routine trips. Nails, glass, stones or other objects could become lodged in (or between) the tire(s), or cracks and imperfections could become more noticeable. Fleet managers and drivers should always practice due diligence in inspecting every tire on the truck and ensuring that they are prepared for a safe ride.
Choose a Tire based on Truck and Load Requirements
Tire performance is highly linked to picking the right tire based on the workload. Every kind of tire has a specific load capacity, size, and weather tolerance, and choosing the wrong tire can lead to early problems and even failure. Make sure that every tire is chosen specifically for the right kind of truck and work that is going to be done. The TIA-certified technicians at STTC excel at helping you decide on the best tire for your particular application.
