Tiips to improve tire life- spread axles

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by drew724, Apr 13, 2015.

  1. drew724

    drew724 Bobtail Member

    32
    2
    Mar 28, 2013
    0
    Hi,
    My drivers are complaining to me that their trailer tires are wearing out fast. When I go to look at them I see some that have what looks like "melted" spots and some have various areas that have "chunks" missing in them. What are some tips yall can give that might help squeeze some extra miles out of tires?
    Specifically on spread axles (I don't allow recapped on spreads btw).
    Should I stay away from re-grooved tires?
    some I can think of off the bat:
    1. check tire pressure
    2. check alignment
    3. check slack adjusters

    have there been any polls on whether dump valves help?
    I know turning (in a parking lot) plays a part..
    what else ??
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. baha

    baha Road Train Member

    4,137
    2,832
    Jul 25, 2013
    ga
    0
    CK. if anti. lock brakes are working, wide turns are one way to make tires last when turning with spread?
     
    okiedokie and drew724 Thank this.
  4. 315wheelbase

    315wheelbase Heavy Load Member

    783
    600
    Oct 26, 2014
    0
    Always have a dump valve on a spread axle trailer a lift axle is always better too as well as ABS on all trailer axles .suggest that you keep tire pressure at 105 0r 110 PSI . my last 3 trailer I had auto inflation systems it helps keep proper tire inflation,,an auto inflation system conversion kit can be bought for less than $400
     
    drew724 and Joetro Thank this.
  5. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

    4,597
    13,466
    Apr 3, 2009
    Oklahoma City, OK
    0
    Regrooved tires are a waste, buy new premium brand tires and teach you drivers how to turn, I have seen drivers u-turn a spread like it was a closed tandem. Dump valves help but I would put a light and buzzer on the switch so they won't leave it dumped going down the road.
     
  6. KANSAS TRANSIT

    KANSAS TRANSIT Road Train Member

    4,080
    6,842
    Jul 28, 2011
    Glasco,Ks.
    0
    Check your tire pressure "at least" weekly, also probably not your issue but we were running low boys with 17.5 on a spread, the ONLY tire that held up really well for us were the Continental's.

    How old are the trailers? Have the shocks been replaced?
     
    drew724 Thanks this.
  7. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

    9,502
    36,966
    Mar 4, 2015
    0
    I pull a 52ft spread axle cattle trailer. I have around 25% deadhead pretty consistently and when I'm loaded I'm right up to 40000 on the spread. Over the last 4 years I've tried a lot of different tires and the results have been about the same. I get around 100000 miles on them and usually have a couple starting to develop irregular wear. So I pull those tires off and put 8 new ones on when I can still get $150-200 for the tires that are on there. I just put on some Firestone fs561+ about 2 weeks ago. They have a wider shoulder on them so I'm hoping they last a little longer.

    I have a dump on the back axle and I used to use it religiously every time I turned. My last 2 sets of Dunlops started wearing the outside edge of both outside tires on the front axle. One guy thought it was from overloading the front axle when turning with the back axle dumped. I looked at the trailers of a couple guys I work with that don't have dumps and they didn't have the front axle wear but their back axle showed irregular wear. So now with my new Firestones I've only been dumping the axle when I get in a tight spot and leaving it inflated on "normal" corners. Hopefully after some time I'll know if there's something to that or not.
     
    drew724 and MJ1657 Thank this.
  8. chalupa

    chalupa Road Train Member

    3,757
    1,640
    Jul 22, 2010
    Houston,Texas
    0
    Automatic slack adjusters well greased, an auto inflate system or Cats Eyes equalizers and teach the drivers how to turn. Like the other guy said I've seen guys with spreads loaded, not dumped and turned over 90 degrees. The tires were crying with pain and popping with each side jump across the pavement. Looked like the tires were gonna tear off the rims.

    Sometimes you have to turn like that...I get that but in my example he was just spinning it around being lazy instead of 3 pointing the turn.

    JMO
     
    blairandgretchen and drew724 Thank this.
  9. fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

    6,116
    6,501
    Jun 25, 2011
    Tourist Town, FL
    0
    Are you buying suitable tires in the first place? That's the first place to start.A trailer tire suitable for a dryvan is rarely suitable for a spread axle.If you're buying used tires, you're causing your own problems. Michelin actually makes a great spread axle retread that I had lots of success with when I was running flatbeds. Start with the tires being suitable, add a dump valve with a buzzer like Old man said and see if that clears up your problems. Tire inflation systems are great at protecting your tire investment, but it isn't going to do anything about your chewed up tire problem.
     
    drew724 and blairandgretchen Thank this.
  10. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

    6,618
    12,265
    Aug 24, 2011
    Tampa, Fl
    0
    Through trail and error,.. I learned some hard lessons. Short of having a lift axle,.. there really is no secret other than trying to turn as wide as possible and minimize how much the front axle drags.

    As for tires,.. The cheap Aeolus and Double Coin did not work for me. 50k and 67k mi respectively. Junk.

    Yokohama works well,.. but at around 60k - 70k they start pitting.
    Firestone F560 and BF GoodRich ST230 are my current mainstay for my trailer. I'm currently switching to all BFGoodRich as the remaining tires wear and are replaced. I'm seeing 110k - 120k miles out of them.

    To make the tires last longer?

    Stop hitting curbs. Dont drag the trailer through ruts,.. slow down over rail road tracks,.. make sure you're facing the way you need to leave before being loaded. Jacking a U while loaded is negligence. Backing into a space at the truck stop,.. do it as wide as possible. Stay out of town and cities with small narrow streets. And last but not least,.. pay attention.

    I played havoc in the beginning of last year trying to figure out what tires worked and where to spend the money. Changed my driving habits after curbing a tire while trying to be in a hurry. Finally seeing some life out of my tires and actually saving money money in the process compared to blindly buying what I thought was a more affordable tire.

    I hear guys say Double Coin last just as long,.. and I hear guys who say they use retreads with good success. I wish I could say the same. Virgin name brand last the longest for me.

    Oh,.. not sure if this is important. But I run 110 PSI in my 255/70 22.5 tires for spread. They dont bag as badly with heavy loads, I get about .3 mpg give or take better and they wear more evenly and seem to last longer.

    Hurst
     
    drew724 Thanks this.
  11. dannythetrucker

    dannythetrucker Road Train Member

    2,856
    4,032
    May 26, 2011
    everywhere, man
    0
    I second the Firestone FS560. make sure pressure is checked regularly. explain turn slowly and wide. especially when loaded heavy. two or three point turn rather than swinging on a dime.
     
    drew724 Thanks this.
  12. 66truck

    66truck Light Load Member

    136
    29
    Nov 7, 2008
    ohio
    0
    Im allways amazed at the lack of care company drivers take when turning spreads, you watch them flying around truck stops trying to turn them on a dime , I have seen 2 or 3 of them in the last few years peal the tires right off the rims they turned them so hard, like to hear their excuses when they call the boss.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.