A fleet’s preventive or planned maintenance program must include the care and upkeep of truck tires. Merely “kicking the tires” and performing a cursory inspection will likely overlook crucial features that could mean the difference between reaching your drop-off and waiting for roadside assistance.
Repairing a truck tire requires some specialized knowledge and tools. Here are some tips for repairing a truck tire:
Know Your Tires.
You must be aware of what you are looking at before you service truck tires. If a technician was unaware of some of the changes in the sector, it could result in damage. When acquiring new tires, the tyres being replaced must have the same tread depth on each axle.
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Assess the damage.
Before you start repairing the tire, examine it thoroughly to determine the extent of the damage. If the damage is beyond repair, replacing the tire is best instead of trying to repair it.
Gather the necessary tools.
To repair the tire, you will need a tire repair kit, a tire gauge, pliers, and a jack to lift the truck.
Locate the puncture.
If you’ve identified a puncture, use a tire repair kit to locate the hole. This kit typically includes a probe tool to find the puncture and a reaming tool to prepare the hole for the patch.
Verify the air pressure.
Overinflated or underinflated tires can affect a truck’s performance and how it drives and responds in an emergency. Before each trip, drivers should check their air pressure to ensure it complies with the manufacturer’s specifications. Bigger fleets should consider utilizing continuous tyre inflation systems (CTIS) and tyre pressure monitoring systems (TMPS) on trailers. These methods ensure that tyre pressure is safe and consistent while adding to the cost.
Verify the tread depth.
Before every trip, the tires’ air pressure and tread depth should be checked. The traditional method is placing a coin with Abraham Lincoln on it backward between the treads. It’s time for a new set of Lincoln’s face can be seen.
Turn tires.
Tires may experience uneven tread wear and tear depending on their location on a truck. 6,000 to 8,000 miles should be the interval between tyre rotations to assist extend tyre life. Do a full three-axle wheel alignment in addition to changing the tyres. Although these steps might appear monotonous, they significantly contribute to keeping tyres on the road.
Verify the wheel torque.
It’s simpler than it seems. The straightforward process of tightening your wheels’ lug nuts is known as wheel torque. Spend a few minutes inspecting each wheel before leaving on a journey to avoid damage from wheels that are too tight or loose.
Develop virtuous behaviors.
Tires are made to function in a specific way. Tire deterioration can be accelerated by driving too fast, making abrupt stops, or accelerating too quickly. To safeguard tyres and other priceless equipment, continue to drive safely while abiding by all traffic regulations and best practices.
When an issue arises, fix it.
Busy drivers may find it simple to overlook minor issues that require attention. All too frequently, these minor issues turn into bigger ones, raising the repair cost. Please try to correct any issues you find with your truck’s tires or other parts as soon as possible to prevent them from becoming more serious.
Maintain Roadside Safety.
Follow proper roadside safety when maintaining or replacing a tyre on the road. McGowan from HONK suggested:
Place your car as far from the road as you can.
If possible, stay on the side of the truck that is not in use.
Wear high-visibility, ANSI class 3 visibility gear (if necessary), and mark the road with cones, flares, or warning lights to warn traffic.
Stay up to date.
Tire-related knowledge is always changing and being updated, as are other preventative safety measures. Even seasoned drivers must ensure they have the most recent training and follow new regulations and laws when on the road. There always needs to be more training for drivers, so commit to lifelong learning if you want to succeed.
In order to function safely on the road today, drivers must adhere to a number of norms and laws. This can occasionally seem like a lot. These actions are crucial, and taking good care of your vehicle and its tyres will help you and your business financially in the long run.
Conclusion
Repairing a truck tire can be done with the right tools and knowledge. To do this, you need to identify the problem, remove the tire, locate the puncture, apply the patch, reinstall the tire, and check the tire pressure. If you need clarification on the process, seek the help of a professional tire repair service to ensure your safety on the road.
