Taking the plunge. My journey as an O/O.

Haul some fresh produce........

 

I didn't notice any exceptional wind today. Very little buffeting, and rarely noticed anyone else crabbing.

 

I am an o/o for Crete, but I normally haul exclusively Mars candy loads from production to DC or DC to DC. 95+% drop and hook on that account.

Recently Mars has been short of loads, so I haul whatever they find for me.

 

I know fresh produce and meat. Started driving with Stevens Transport when I learned to drive. That's a very large part of their business, or at least it was.

 

Double Coin was very common, when Chinese tires first started showing up. They gained a reputation quickly, as the “ best”, or “ only” Chinese tire to buy. Most of them, no matter what the name, have the same tread, probably the same tires, different name. They all dry rot eventually and the sidewalls fail. I’ve had it happen with a Bridgestone, with plenty tread left. I’ve had good luck so far with the Chinese Drives, (2) sets. Main thing is you got rid of the recaps. Never heard of an out of balance rim, would have never thought to even check it.

 

The only reason I had them check was because two things clicked in my head.

1. The tire was clearly unbalanced in wear, with a lot more wear over 1/3 of the diameter.

2. The tire + rim was balanced when they put them on the balancing machine together.

Those two things can only be true if the rim is not balanced.

The problem has been resolved though. Just had a new rim put on. Almost a match for what was on the truck, appearance wise.

So, tire expenses the last few days, for 8 new drives and a new rim = @ 3200.00.

Flush goes the money.

 

I know this is too late now but for the future you might look into Ironman tires. They're made by Hercules. I ran the 208s on my Freightliner and they had about 150,000 miles on them when I sold the truck and the tread depth was still 10/32. TA quoted me either $239 or $259 each when you buy 2 or more and they carry the tire regularly. Very good tire for the money.

 

Sounds like a decent tire, but I was in Memphis, TX, at the Loves there. Didn't have too many choices. Couldn't buy a used tire, they had none to fit. Didn't want to buy and screw up a new tire by putting it on with 7 others at 180k miles.

I might have made a better purchase elsewhere, but that wasn't really an option at the time.

 

Basically they’re all the same tire anyways. Look on Alibaba, you can buy them with a dozen different names. Buy enough Direct, you could get Farmer Bobs brand. Lol. Right now, it’s Double Coin, and Ironman. Used to be, you had a good chance that 1 of the 8 would wear, halfway around, only. Obviously out of round. But I’ve seen a Bridgestone and a kelly do the same. The Technology seems to have leveled out. It almost seems to me, that our quality has dropped to match it. I doubt that’s the case. Just seems like it. Never had problems like that years ago.

 

Sorry but made in the USA or something like that has to be on the sidewall for me .......