Average tire life is 3-6 years. But many truck drivers neglect basic maintenance or fail to follow safe driving practices resulting in an early demise of their tires. So howcan you last your truck tire’s life? This article will discuss factors that affect your truck tire life.
1. Type of Tires
The first factor that will affect truck tire life is the type of tires. Most owner-operators choose either bias-ply or radial tires, and there are many factors to consider when choosing which tire to use on your truck. Radial tires are popular because they generally have a longer tread life. But radial truck tires cost more than bias-ply. Most drivers choose 4 new tires to replace all four on their rig, even if the old ones still have some wear left in them. This is a personal choice, of course, but keep in mind that having four new tires will cost more than two new and two used.
2. Air Pressure
The second factor that affects tire life is the air pressure in the truck tires. Air pressure in your trailer tires, drive tires, and steering tires should not vary by more than 3-5 psi, or you may experience uneven wear on the tread and sidewalls. The most common sign of low air pressure in the drive and steering tires is squealing when turning, stopping, or backing up. If this occurs, check your airlines and wheel ends for leaks. If you cannot find a leak, then adjust or replace your air compressor system from a mobile tire repair in Gainesville.Having one person sit in the truck’s driving seat while another person uses a psi gauge to check the air pressure in all the tires is the best approach if your driver’s manual does not provide specific psi reading for each tire.
3. Usage Pattern
A third factor that affects tire life is how you drive and maintain your rig. Don’t overload the tractor or trailer, avoid hard braking and abrupt turning, and do not drive at excessive speeds. Do run the engine for a few minutes each day to take some of the strain off your air brakes, so they last as long as possible.
4. Speed
Another factor that affects tire life is speed. Driving at normal highway speeds (55-65 mph or 80 – 95 km/h) is the safest way to operate a commercial vehicle and the most economical for fuel, but it does wear your tires more quickly. Driving at lower speeds (50 mph or 80 km/h) around town will help prolong tire life.
5. Weight of Load
The fifth factor that affects truck tire life is the amount of weight your rig is carrying. Exceeding the manufacturer’s weight specifications for axle capacity and/or GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) puts more wear on tires than when operating within those limits.
6. Tread Depth
The final factor that affects truck tire life is tread depth. If your tires have worn down to 2/32 of an inch, it’s time for new tires. Checking your tire tread depth every 2-3 weeks is critical to ensure safety on the road.
Therefore, if you are wondering How Long Should Truck Tires Last?With proper maintenance and driving habits, you can expect to get between 50,000 miles out of a set of tires. However, the wear depends on the type of tire and your driving habits.
