Kevin Rutherford? Good info or not?

I have had no trouble with low rolling resistance tires in snow and ice. Run bridgestones M720 rr of 110. Now you bill are spouting half truths

 

That's not a 90 RR and basicly the same tire Mich recommends.

 

Weird... The fleet I manage maintenance for has been running XDA Energy tires with a RR of 100 for two years. We replaced Bridgstone M720's with them. The BS have a RR of 110. Not one driver complained that they had less traction or any problems on snow or ice. We also ordered one new truck with Xone XDA Energy tires. They have a RR of 86. That drivers thinks they did even better on slick roads than the XDA's.

We are based in Northern Utah. Our main lane of operation is from here to N. Cal. We go over Donner multiple times every week. Traction has not been a problem. I think you might not know what you are talking about. Those who throw stones shouldn't live in glass houses.

 

I read most of the trucking forums at least once a week just to see what is going on. I normally don't post in any of them other than my own. Posting is usually not a good use of my time. When I have tried to post to help someone it usually turns into a typical trucker pissing contest and who needs that? I have plenty of outlets to help people and that's what I spend most of my day doing. In fact it's what I've spent the last 20 years doing.

This just happens to be such an outrageous lie I thought I'd see if he would back it up with some facts.

Even on my own forums where we don't moderate at all, I've had lots of negative comments and criticism and it has gotten nasty many times, but I don't remember anybody attempting a lie like this one. The negative comments are usually just someones opinion, and they are certainly entitled to them.

Whether anyone agrees with the advice or not, the show has helped thousands of owner operators and drivers over the years. I was helping owner operators with their business and taxes long before I was ever on the radio.

Some of the answers and content on the air are facts, and I'll hold my facts up against any challenge any day. Much of the content and advice is my opinion from my own experiences. I've made a challenge on my own site many times (it's never been accepted) I'll make the same challenge here.

(This isn't directed at anyone in particular)

Come on the show with me, not to debate our opinions, just come on the show with me and co-host, if you don't agree with my advice, I'll give you a chance to prove to the listeners that your advice is better. We'll take turns answering questions. We'll both answer every call that comes in, we'll take turns answering first. This seems like it should be easy for many of the people who have posted here saying that I don't know what I'm talking about. If you know enough to know that I'm wrong, then come on the air and prove it with the callers and the listeners being the judges.

 

Where did you get your information for this one?

Part of the reason we have chosen the companies we work with is that they provide us with access to some of the top experts and engineers in each field, Pittsburgh Power, MD Alignment, Bose etc. Our partnership with Michelin has given us access to all of their facilities (shops, test track etc) as well as complete access to all of the engineers and research.

Michelin is the leader in LRR tires and I can promise you that they have never said anything about those tires not being recommended in snow or ice.

While you are looking for the info to back up your last outrageous claim, maybe you can find some data to back this one up as well.

 

Here's the deal....

KR has a show and is published in a few trade mags I read....

He offers advice based on his experiences and the recommendations of industry experts as well...

BBB also has shares his recommendations from his experiences as an O/O and IIRC...a Broker?

Among others here like BlackW900 and the late Southern Pride...Who offered their advice...


But consider that no matter what anyone has recommended...Not one recommendation works for every operation....

Myself....I run open deck...Most of my loads are heavy and I run the LA-Denver Lane....

My rig is capable getting 7.5 mpg...But not in that Lane...And not to mention...Open deck is not aerodynamic by any means....

I know that and base my rates higher because of that....That is....I know what a load will cost me before I take it...I won't "Turn the key to the right...Unless the rate is right"...Simple as that...

Some would say that I should change my lane to a less dynamic lane such as LA-SeaTac or LA-DFW....BTDT...And saving a few $$$ on fuel on an outbound does not always equal more $$$....WA-CA loads for open deck are mainly cheap lumber....Always heavy.....Always cheap....
LA-DFW means most of the time a DH to Houston to get pipe load to Bakersfield, CA or to Rock Springs, WY....And those rates have sucked for two years running now...Why run heavy and get paid cheap?

I have found a lane that makes at least my BEP on both the Outbound and Inbound loads...

What works for anyone of us necessarily won't work for others....

Best thing we can all do is keep an open mind and assess the info instead of just criticizing the same if it doesn't fit our Biz Model....

 

There is the invite to the internet trucking experts here to take the challenge!

Wonder if they are willing to back it up or just make some lame excuse why they can't make they call?

 

I think he has a certain arrogance about him that turns alot of guys off. Couple that with the fact that at least one of the products he previously endorsed is the biggest scam ever perpetuated on truckers, and it's no surprise that his credibility comes into question. His advice, on the other hand is nothing more than good common sense...something that is sadly lacking in many O/O's.

 

Kevin you appear to be smart enough to know how the RR ratings are achieved. And while I am in no way an engineer, the basics that reduce friction come from compounds and tread design.

The keys words the guy at Michelin said to me at MATS was "improvements in snow and ice traction in low rolling resistance tires". He made the point that they understand customers are not happy with snow and ice traction and are working on this. He then showed me a tire with a higher RR rating that they recommend for these applications.

Not saying and never have said that the top rated tires are bad. Actually, the opposite. They are wonderful tires for the correct application. And running out of IL and into the northern states in the winter is not the correct application.

I understand that you don't drive and aren't standing at the fuel island or helping a driver get unstuck at a truck stop or dock. I do drive and have had countless conversations regarding these tires and helped many drivers in bad situations. All the access to plants and data in the world does not negate real world application.

And I give credit to the handful of people I have dealt with at Michelin. All have given it straight to me vs the company line.

 

Why don't you call in and challenge that product proving it is a scam?

Would love to hear that phone call.

I made the mistake of claiming a product promoted on these forums was a scam because it was similar to another product I tried that did not work. I got bashed for not trying it when it was offered to me for free and I was wrong for making those claims without trying it. So I bought one putting my money where my mouth is and I am now testing it that I seriously hope I was wrong making those oringinal claims and will apologize if I was wrong about it. If I was right, I at least get my money back with a 90 day "no risk" money back guarantee.