Tired of Tires
“The tires on the truck go round and round” is not a song just being sung by kids, but our trucking industry. Over 2020 and 2021 truck drivers have worked tirelessly to stay ahead of the curve through the pandemic even when facing supply shortages. The latest topics of a shortage seem to be geared toward “Tires.” Tires are far from inexpensive and can range up to $1000 a tire on commercial tractors.
As the world, depends on trucking we want to ensure a few ways to possibly avoid an inconvenience of time, money, or more. Below we have listed additional precautions to take in order to increase the lifespan of tires and avoid delays in obtaining new tires should they be needed.
Routine Maintenance
A well-maintained truck is going to share that “care” out on the road. Tires are no different and there are methods to get the most miles out of them. A big step toward success is regular maintenance with tire rotations around every 6000 to 7000 miles so that the tires create a more even wear of the tread.
Clean Tires
A clean tire is a healthy tire. While on the road tires pick up all kinds of dirt, oils, and grime that can take a toll. Not only will a clean tire look great on your mighty steed of a tractor, but it will keep them rolling for that much longer.
Alignment Checks
From there we talk about how alignment can play a large role in maximizing tire life. When things are uneven it can cause additional wear to the wheel treads which can be usually detected when a feeling of steering is off or shaking occurs.
Tire Pressure
A properly pressured tire can prove to be beneficial for increased tire life, safety, and fuel efficiency. Taking the time to ensure the correct tire pressure on a regular basis can help avoid blowouts as well.
Pre-trip and Post Trip Inspections
Like we all do before we start and leave for the day is we must put emphasis on our pre-trip and post-trip inspections. You might be thinking what does this have to do with tires? Well if we work to catch a problem sooner rather than later out on the road we may be able to avoid additional wear on our tires.
Check with Vendors
Keep in communication with your tire vendor to be in the loop should tires be running short for particular manufacture or if you should order ahead to avoid delays. In addition, should your go-to brand be running low on tires you may have luck reaching out to other competitors while some manufactures replenish their stock. Possibly order an extra set as a backup if additional precautions need to be taken.
We believe that the truck industry is needed more than ever when combating the challenges faced by the pandemic. Our nation’s truck drivers have stood tall through tough and tougher whom we hope to help continue to overcome any obstacles that come their way. Some may say that we can be tired of tires, but let us do what we can to be proactive in the event of not having tires that could bring our operations to a standstill. No one can predict the future, although we can anticipate what could be ahead and prepare for it. You can bet that RJS Truck Insurance will be with you through the thick, thin, and tires for the long haul so call anytime should you need a helping hand.
