Trailer tires often receive less focus in spec discussions, although they play a crucial role as the sole components linking a trailer to the road, significantly impacting fleet safety, performance, and sustainability initiatives.
Understanding the basics of trailer tire maintenance—load ratings, sizes, and the importance of proper inflation—can significantly enhance your trailer’s cargo-carrying capabilities while maximizing uptime and minimizing operational risks.
Here are some top essential tire maintenance tips:
- Trailer Tires are Essential: As the only contact point with the road, tires are crucial to ensuring your trailers’ safety, performance, and overall efficiency.
- Maintain Proper Tire Inflation: Correct tire pressure maximizes performance, preserves tire integrity, and increases the chances of successful retreading, helping reduce costs and prevent blowouts.
- Tire Load Ratings and Sizing Matter: Choosing the right tire size and load rating ensures your trailer can handle heavy cargo efficiently while balancing strength and fuel economy.
Learn how mastering these tire basics can keep your fleet running smoothly and efficiently. Keep reading for more expert insights on tire maintenance.
Designed to Carry the Load
Trailer tires are specifically designed to carry heavy cargo while maintaining stability, traction, and fuel efficiency. Tire manufacturers invest heavily in optimizing heavy-duty trailer tire performance, balancing durability with rolling resistance.
“Bridgestone heavy-duty trailer tires are uniquely designed for the trailer position in several ways,” says Robby Hamby, Director of Commercial Product Strategy at Bridgestone Americas, a supplier of trailer tires for Great Dane. “These include a unique casing design, an optimized tread depth, and a specialized tread pattern. This allows Bridgestone to maximize the tire’s rolling resistance and wear life while still carrying the required load and maintaining casing durability to maximize the number of retread lives for the trailer position.”
A tire’s casing, constructed with layers of rubber-coated steel cords, directly impacts its load capacity. Fleets must find the right balance between strength and fuel efficiency when selecting tires that fit their operational needs.
Size Matters
Selecting the correct trailer tire size is another critical factor in optimizing performance. Fleets should work with equipment providers to determine the appropriate tire size based on the heaviest possible load scenario and account for dimensional clearance and rim choice.
The Tire and Rim Association offers guidelines on acceptable wheels for specific tire sizes, ensuring fleets choose wheels capable of handling the tire’s load and inflation ratings.
Maximize Efficiency with Proper Inflation
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to improve fleet efficiency is maintaining proper tire inflation. Proper PSI not only boosts performance but also protects the tire casing, enhancing the potential for retreading and extending the tire’s lifecycle.
Dual tire assemblies are even more important for running at the proper inflation levels. Two dual-assembly tires with different diameters—even as small as 5 PSI—can lead to uneven load distribution and an increased risk of blowouts.
“There are a lot of variables when it comes to tires, between choosing the right tire for your operation and the right pressure for your loads to get the best tire life. Fleets that go with a tire pressure across all their tires because they’ve always heard it was the right pressure can get strange wear patterns over time. Knowing all the variables and working with your tire supplier to help pick the right tire and the right pressure for your operation is very important.”
—James Brown, Manager of Warranty and Customer Service at Great Dane
By prioritizing these tire basics, fleets can drive performance improvements, cut costs, and ensure safety on the road.
The Economics of Tire Retreading
Looking for a cost-effective way to extend the life of your trailer tires? Retreading worn tires might be the answer.
In our latest article, The Economics of Tire Retreading, we explore how retreading can significantly cut costs—saving 30-50% compared to new tires, potentially up to $1,600 per trailer—and double the lifespan of your tires.
With a comprehensive inspection and repair process, retreaded tires offer the same quality and safety as new ones, making it a smart investment for your fleet.
