Extending the Life of Truck Tires to Keep You on the Road Longer

One of the biggest causes of sidelined vehicles big and small is a blown tire. A single problem tire can leave a whole vehicle sitting on the side of the road and if you don’t have a spare and the means to change it out, you’re undoubtedly going to be calling for towing in Greeley, CO.

For most drivers, it’s unfortunate when a blowout happens; for long haul truckers, however, it’s a major problem. If your truck isn’t roadworthy it means you’re not making money; in fact, you’re probably losing money for every moment your truck is out of commission. All because of a blown tire or destroyed tread.

Preventing blowouts might seem like a lost cause because they happen so frequently, but actually, taking smart steps to preserve your tires and treads can go a long way towards keeping your truck safe on the road. Take a look at some basic maintenance that you can do to improve your tire treads:

• Above all else, know when to re-tread or replace your tires! This means keeping tabs on the tread length and when problem areas start to develop. Tires usually wear at about 1/32” for every 13,000 to 14,000 miles travelled, and your tires should never dip below 4/32” when it comes to tread. Be diligent in measuring your treads.
• Keep PSI appropriate for every tire and check your tire weight frequently to make sure you’re not subject to a slow leak. Generally, you can expect to lose between one and five pounds of pressure each day based on temperature changes alone. Over time, roughly at the same intervals as your treads will wear, you’re also going to lose PSI, making it imperative to check and refill your tires at the beginning and end of your journey.
• Keep kingpin and bearings up to the highest standards of service. These critical components play a huge role in how your tires wear and have a major bearing on helping you sustain treads for longer.
• Balance and align your suspension as directed by your owners’ manual. Balance and alignment promote even tread wear and will more accurately allow you to gauge the wear of your tires, as well as any issues that may indicate premature wear for any reason.
• Make sure you’re using only radial tires or bias ply options—mixing and matching is absolutely going to show in the form of tread wear.
• Whenever possible, try to avoid replacing single tires. Swapping tires in pairs will allow you to mix them into the rotation easier and will prevent massive tread wear on your new tires. Single tires tend to complicate rotations and will wear faster than they need to.

Don’t let your truck treads get the best of you! Rather than sitting on the side of the road waiting for towing in Greeley, CO, following the above tips could help you stay the path to your next destination, knowing with certainty that your treads are in good enough condition to get you there.

Categorised in: Towing

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