Trailer tires dillema

I only use recaps on local trucks, never on an OTR truck/trailer.

 

Michelin just came out with an xda recap. Saw it at the truck show. They are gauranteeing 50% more tire life over competetors.

 

First and most important get them all on the same axle, and match the remaining pairs tread the best you can. So as to replace the two next worse at the same time/same side.. then the other pair shortly after.

I cant tell one tire brand from the next, but this is not the season for fresh recaps... Call me old school, I like new recaps in October so the glue has all winter to settle. 80,000 + Fresh glue + old rubber on a toasty day don't end well.

 

Ive had very good luck with Sumitomo 710--the new 710SE has some very good numbers--also used them on steers--seen them online for about 365--but Im sure you can do better somewhere you do biz with on a set
Just Sayin

 

I've been running XT1 custom mold recaps on my reefers for the last two years. Zero blowouts and good wear. That is, virgin tires have not lasted any longer or done any better on my crappy old equipment. Use your own good casings or cherry pick ones that have no internal patches. I did get robbed, er I mean tire service, at the T/A in Tallulah LA for one of their Bandag trailer caps and it's holding up ok so far for a one-in-a-row success.

 

If one watches tire inflations and other tire maintenance issues, recaps should not be any problem. I have run recaps on tractors for years and, even though I pull company trailers, have had them on trailers for years also. Now for the trailers, they make it easy in that they have those automatic inflation setups on the trailers so the tires always get proper inflation. Even a small leak will stayed aired up when running. It is only after you stop that it will leak down. Then I usually can catch it before any major tire blow out issues. I can't recall the last time I had a cap or virgin blow out on a trailer. Best guess is about 7 or 8 years ago. Never had a cap go out on a tractor. I know that many have had bad experiences with caps in the past, and are dead set against them. I'm ok with that. But in all fairness, almost every tire that blows, be it virgin or cap, the primary cause was improper inflation, running faster than the tire is rated for, or putting more load on than the tire was rated for. Yet, even though someone made the mistake, the tire gets the blame.

Now, since I am on record as not having an issue with recaps, I do prefer the Michelin caps, and only on Michelin casings. Just me. I suppose others have had good results with other casings.

 

cowpie1 i agree with your post 100% good post, and yes oscar wilde did say that