Air supply on road, pretrip for short runs?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by larry_minn, Apr 28, 2025 at 10:41 PM.

  1. gentleroger

    gentleroger Road Train Member

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    Constantly reinflating a tire is going to weaken the sidewalls. Not so much the reinflation, but the sitting/driving underinflated. Eventually the tire is going to fail. If you're lucky, all it does is shred itself. If you're unlucky it's going to take out the mudflap/bracket. If you're REALLY unlucky, it's going to damage the frame rails.

    The nightmare scenario is the tire blows while a car is next to it, damaging the car/causing the car to crash. At that point you'll be faced with a Billboard Lawyer that's going to try and bleed you dry.

    A new tire is cheap compared to a lawsuit.
     
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  3. larry_minn

    larry_minn Light Load Member

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    You really think a dual, sitting empty at +40 psi is going to weaken much being moved a few hundred yards to air up. *or when I get glad hand unit* I am guessing loss. It’s been low one time I hit with hammer. We are not talking driving a steer tire near flat.
     
  4. gentleroger

    gentleroger Road Train Member

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    How many miles have you moved it at 90 psi? How long has it sat still at 40 psi? Both conditions will weaken the tire. If you continue to use a tire with a known leak, it will blow - you just don't know when. Most companies will require any tire below 70 psi to be replaced because they've learned this lesson. It's cheaper to change a "good tire" at the shop than it is to blow one on the road.

    Find the leak and repair it, or replace the tire.
     
  5. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    If you’re counting your nickels and dimes, purchase a tire plug kit Amazon or eBay. Btw, the rubber grommets on the stem dry out after a while. See if can tighten it up a bit. Better yet, find the slow leak first. And take it from there.
     
  6. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    Look up sidewall “zipper failure”. An all steel tire sitting low and stressing the sidewall can cause the steel plies to fold, pinch, and break. Do not lean over or stand in front of that tire while airing. Just 20 psi can rupture it. That is why clip on air chucks and inflation cages are used.
     
  7. Truckermania

    Truckermania Road Train Member

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  8. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    I know you are trying to justify your actions which is alright to do but sometimes professional advice should be over what you think is right. We all have seen some nasty things with tires, and yes one tire being low can cause problems for other tires and be a hazard on the road.
     
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