Spec'ing saves money: Making the right tire choice will reduce costs over time

摘要

We've heard from our customers about the challenges or complications they face when spec'ing the right tire for the right application. There are many factors involved in the decision and many things to consider. Tires are considered assets in fleets; the longer the asset can be used before discarding, the more value it brings to the fleet. Steer, drive and trailer position tires all have unique tread designs, siping and de-coupler grooves and other irregular wear fighting features that help the specific tires perform at their optimum during their initial life, prior to retreading. One of the many challenges faced by maintenance managers is equipment that's used in varied functions. We've seen situations where a vehicle is used for a long-haul route and then switches over to a short-haul route, or vice versa. This can lead to premature removal or lower performance of tires, as some are very application-specific. While some tires do well in varied functions and fit in certain wheel positions with different applications, progressive fleet managers want to optimize a tire's performance and usage during its original tread life. This also applies to the retread cycle when retreads are utilized. Matching the proper type of tire with the proper vehicle application goes a long way in overcoming performance limitations. Another challenge is the legal requirements that states place on motor coach tires. With safety a primary concern, many states utilize field inspections by DOT or highway patrol to ensure that the tires meet the requirements of the vehicle. This includes air pressure, tread depths and other data. Understanding the performance of each type and pattern of tire, as well as the legal requirements, allows a manager to make the best decision when spec'ing tires on new equipment.