How Often Should You Replace Your Truck Tires?

Your trucks tires work harder than any other part of your new or used truck. They’re the components that guide your truck over rugged terrain and, in short, take a beating day in day out. How often should you replace your truck tires? Read on to learn more from the experts at Rechtien International Trucks!

Truck Tire Replacement Frequency

Every truck is different. This means that, unlike passenger cars, there’s no solid guide that lists the recommended tire replacement intervals for all semi trucks or work trucks. In Florida, a driver can usually expect to get up to 100,000 miles from a semi truck tire set. Without a standardized guide, though, the most important thing you can do is stay up to date with truck and tire maintenance.

Tire Maintenance Tips

Here are a few ways you can keep your truck’s tires in good condition for longer:

• Check for Proper Inflation: After you’ve given the tires time to cool, check the tire pressure. To check for the correct PSI, weigh the truck fully loaded. Make sure you weigh the front, rear, and trailer axles separately. You can find the right PSI by comparing the axle weights to those listed in the tire manufacturer’s book. Pay special attention to the load supported by the front axle. If the scale weight exceeds the maximum load-carrying capacity, you’ll need to upgrade to higher capacity tires.
• Keep Tabs on Tire Wear: Tire wear is caused by friction. To make sure your truck’s tires are wearing evenly, you’ll need to keep up with tire alignments and pay close attention to inflation and load-carrying capacities. Putting tire service off will have consequences — the severity of which depends on the length of time tire maintenance is ignored.
• Inspect Your Tires Regularly: Your truck components, especially the tires, require routine inspections. Mainly, you’ll want to check for signs of wear and tear and proper inflation. If your truck’s tires are 20% below their recommended PSI, they’re technically flat tires and should be replaced immediately. You’ll also want to double-check the condition of the valve caps, tire sidewalls, lug nuts, and suspension components.

How to Choose the Right Truck Tires

Here are two points to keep in mind while you’re shopping for tires:

• Load Capacity: If you drive a larger truck, such as an HV Series or MV Series, your tires will be under a serious amount of strain. For this reason, it’s important to choose tires that can handle high load capacities and demanding conditions. This is crucial to job performance, as well as safety. Before you buy a tire, check its load index. This information is written out as a numerical code that states the load capacity of that tire at the speed indicated by its speed symbol.
• Off-Road Driving: Different types of driving require different types of tires. For example, commercial tires designed for travel through Miami don’t have tread strong enough to traverse rough surfaces like rock or gravel on a daily basis. Even if your job only takes you off paved roads occasionally, opt for tires that are 80% on-road and 20% off-road.

Get More Info About Tire Replacement!

Rechtien International Trucks is your source for information on how to best care for your semi truck. Contact us with any additional questions, such as how to check your brakes or if your truck has a catalytic converter, or visit one of our locations in South Florida!