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Are you looking to buy new tires for your semi-truck trailer?
Utilizing high-quality semi-truck tires can play an integral role in managing a freight transportation business. It can contribute to the optimum performance of your fleet. To make things easy for you, we have prepared a guide to the different types of semi-trailer truck tires. Going through this guide will help you understand how drive tires, steer tires, and trailer tires work. We will also be sharing recommendations of when you need to purchase new tires.
Types of Semi-Truck Tires We Offer
Steer Tires
Steer tires are the front-most tires on a semi-truck trailer. They are responsible for turning and are easily the most important tires required to operate this vehicle. You can use other types of tires for the front axle position, but if you are looking for superior performance, then we recommend using steer tires.
These tires influence handling. They can also contribute to improving the quality of the ride and come with ribbed tread designs. This design helps keep water away from these tires and enable better control.
In most cases, these tires are subject to the highest amount of wear and tear. The right type of steer tires can also influence the fuel economy of your semi-trailers. For instance, experts suggest that reducing the tread depth of these tires can improve fuel economy.
Drive Tires
Semi-trailers do not have a front axle. A significant portion of the weight of these trailers is supported by a road tractor. The tractor and the trailer are collectively referred to as semi-trailers or semi-truck trailers.
Drive tires are the tires attached to where the tractor meets the trailer and help in turning and moving the vehicle. They tend to have a lug-type tread design (a deep groove pattern) for better grip on different surfaces. You can also try tires with a stripped tread (a pattern with slits across the tire’s surface). These types of tread designs enable better dispersion of water and higher traction.
The traction offered by drive tires is particularly useful during the cold seasons when you need to drive on icy roads.
These tires influence handling. They can also contribute to improving the quality of the ride and come with ribbed tread designs. This design helps keep water away from these tires and enable better control.
In most cases, these tires are subject to the highest amount of wear and tear. The right type of steer tires can also influence the fuel economy of your semi-trailers. For instance, experts suggest that reducing the tread depth of these tires can improve fuel economy.
Trailer Tires
Trailer tires are attached to the rear-end of the trailer or trailer’s axle. These tires are capable of withstanding heavy loads and have great braking capacity. High-quality trailer tires are also designed for free rolling.
Other important features of these tires include their reinforced sidewalls. These protect the tire from damage when climbing up or rubbing against concrete surfaces.
When Should You Replace Your Semi-Truck Tires?
Since they are used to manage freight trucks and must travel long distances, semi-trailer truck tires are subject to wear and tear and need to be replaced every three to six tears. Most truck owners only take mileage into consideration when deciding to repair or replace tires. However, if you are often required to drive through the backcountry or construction sites and quarries, then your tires will wear out faster.
We suggest you watch out for the following signs when deciding to replace these tires:
Tread Depth
Tread patterns provide your trailer with better traction and enable better handling in difficult driving conditions. They allow you to safely drive through rain or snow without losing control of your vehicle. For optimal tire performance, you need to make sure that your tires have a reasonable amount of tread depth. As per the NHTSA, you should replace the tires of your semi-truck trailer when their tread depth falls to 2/32.
Sidewall Cracks
If you notice cracks in a tire’s sidewall, then it’s time to replace it. Most tires develop cracks when they are over-exposed to heat caused by friction. Excessive exposure to sunlight can also lead to tracks. If the rubber on your tires starts to dry rot, then this can result in small cracks, as well. Some of the common causes of tire dry out include:
- Exposure to ultraviolet light
- Exposure to ozone
- Infestation of microorganisms
Most high-quality tires carry anti-aging chemicals. These can prevent the sidewalls from cracking and prolong the life of the tire.
Wear and Tear
Wear and tear is unavoidable with tires. Everything from the weather conditions and the driver’s skills to improper tire pressure and the condition of the roads can contribute to wear and tear of tires.
However, if your vehicle’s tires are not aligned properly, then this can cause uneven wear and tear, which shortens the tire’s life.
You need to inspect your tires for wear and tear once a month and make sure your tires are properly aligned. You’ll have to check the inner as well as the outer tires to determine whether it’s time to buy a new pair.
Other factors that indicate it is time to replace your semi-trailer truck tires include experiencing vibrations while driving – this is a sign of tire damage. You must replace your tires immediately if you notice this.
To ensure tire safety, make sure you visually inspect each tire prior to a trip. You must also keep an eye on tire pressure. We suggest maintaining the tire pressure at the recommended PSI in the manufacturer’s manual.
Conclusion
Most truck drivers settle for all-purpose semi-trailer truck tires. However, utilizing position-specific semi-trailer tires can help you get better performance. These tires are also likely to last longer than the all-purpose kind. Remember to choose tires with a suitable amount of traction, good fuel economy, and sufficient reinforcement against cracks and punctures.
Are you looking for a tire shop that sells tires for semi-trailer trucks in Portland, Oregon?
Commercial Tires Distributors has got your back. From steer tires and drive tires to trailer tires, our collection of tires is sure to impress you. Give us a call at 503-298-5350 and find the right tire for your vehicle!
Check out other tires that we provide here.
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