Tire tread placement

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Lazer, Jan 13, 2022.

  1. Lazer

    Lazer Road Train Member

    1,353
    2,106
    Jan 22, 2017
    0
    Hope this is the correct area. Got an odd question I have wondered about. Proper placement of different tread types on tandems. We have several trucks where the tread types are all mixed up on tandems. One truck has all mud & snows on one side, the other side is all steer and/or trailer tires. The tread depth is near equal on all tires.
    Would it be best to arrange the tire different?
    Would mud and snows be better if on the back drives, 2 on each side, with the straight tires on the front drives, 2 on each side? Or vise versa? TIA
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

    4,505
    13,543
    Dec 20, 2019
    Marion Texas
    0
    I would recommend trying to get all the drive “lug” patterns across all 4 on the same axle. Put all the steer “ribbed” patterns together across the other. Probably best to put the lugs on the front diff in this case.
     
  4. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

    2,807
    7,450
    Jan 2, 2012
    NW, Iowa
    0
    Doesn't really matter as far as traction I don't think. The 1 of 4 wheel ends with the least traction will always spin first
     
  5. Tom Hank’s Volleyball

    Tom Hank’s Volleyball Light Load Member

    63
    141
    Oct 23, 2021
    0
    I can finally use my grandpa’s wisdom. He always said the rear drive provides the most power so your luggy tires on the rear and your nice road tires on the front. Can atest to this since my T880 still has the factory Michilen-XDN2 on the front drive axle and the rears have long been chewed up.
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
  6. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

    4,505
    13,543
    Dec 20, 2019
    Marion Texas
    0
    The rears wear faster due to scuffing when they swing during turns. The truck pivots on front drives. That is why when the power divider is locked in turning radius increases because now the rears are trying to pivot instead of scuffing. The front diff does most of the work. Need proof. Remove the interaxle shaft between diffs and lock the power divider in. The truck will still move. Not the other way around.
     
  7. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

    16,472
    53,813
    Aug 8, 2015
    0
    I run the higher traction luggers on rear axle, old steers on the front axle. Works for me.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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