Spread axle tires???

Michelin XZE is a good tire. Bridgestone r250 and continental also had a agood one out too.

 

I found the 12/32 shallow groove tires hold up better (on the trailer) no matter what brand you choose. They are harder compound than the deep 25/32 tires.I like the B.F Goodies. Definatly don't advise Jap (oops, did I type that out loud? I mean offshore) tires. Never had any luck with em and they're ##### to get on n off the rim.

 

I've had good luck with the Bridgestone R250 and the other number thats for a spread(can't remember it though),and Continental HSR's. My last trailer came with some Generals and they wore really good, but only lasted 80k. I had the same experience with a set of Kelly's that I tried too, wore nice and even but only got around 80k out of them. I've also had really good luck with the Michelin & Bandag recaps that were designed for spreads, they have a reinforced shoulder and wore very well and usually lasted 100-125k. I got a couple of bad retreads the last time I had a set done and the damage caused by the three blowouts ate up any money I saved by running the caps. That pretty much soured me on buying any more of those.

BTW, I pull a bullrack so I run alot of gravel and make alot of really sharp turns, both of which is hard on tires.

 

My suggestion is to get with your tire rep and let them tell you what you need. Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone, they all spend millions of dollars in research and testing. Don't take some guys advice off of a forum who has 1 truck. Also, don't go with price alone. We swapped completely over to 100% Michelin and our cost per mile has went down, but of course tires are little higher. I know other fleets who have great luck with other brands. It all boils done to your relationship with your tire rep and letting him know that you depend on him to make the best decision and that your future purchases are riding on his decision.

 

Michelin XZE

 

I like the Goodyear G119SA, I run them on my hopper and straight deck pig wagon, both spreads. I havent found anything that I like better yet. They are a unicircle, so its one piece when they put it on the casing. And I also only cap my own casings that way I know how they have been treated. One warning, once ya put them on a casing thats the only thing that can go on that casing, something about having to shave more of the shoulder to get the narrower profile. No where near the expert just ran into a hiccup on trying to go from the 119 cap to a really aggressive drive so I could have a spare set for bad weather. that my 2 cents.

 

Ok soooo. You have more than one truck i take it? You want an award or something?

Your on a forum are'nt you? But this guy should take your advice NOT to take advice from a forum?

Put your faith in a cut throat tire rep that wants as much of your money as he can get? Ownt think so.

My advice brenes-built is to find the oldest driver (and i mean all wrinkly and stuff) that you can with the biggest shiniest chicken truck on the lot and ask him.

And yes, you do need a good tire guy but finding one is a harder job than changing all 8 a those spread axle tires on a hot day. I've been through oodles (well, 3) a them liein cut throats.

Example

tire guy:"This is the tire for you. Ours are the best"

1 year later

tire guy:"Oh you say you didn't like the way that tire wore? Well this one costs a little more but I know you will like this one"

1 more year

tires guys receptionist:"No I'm sorry tire guy doesn't work here anymore but let me switch you over to KNEW tire guy"

And the saga continues.

Sounds to me like ol' robdog might just be one a them precious tire reps

 

HAYSTACK had some good input , just did not present it in the right format.

brenes-built what type of trailer is the spread axle on , what do you haul and where do you haul it. All this helps to get input be it from a 1 truck operator or a guy with 20 trucks.

Tire Reps can give good advice not all are crooks , GOODYEAR offerd an online service to narrow down the search.