Not all tires are meant for every trucker and their operation. Choosing the wrong type of tire can lead to decreased fuel efficiency and premature wear even when placed in their proper tire positions. Use this post as a guide to ensure you're picking the best tires for your application. Regional Tire Application Primary function: designed for short to medium distance trips Made to handle various road conditions, frequent starts and stops, and offer excellent traction for winding roads Typically operate within a 300-mile radius and log an average annual mileage between 30,000 to 80,000 miles Long-Haul Tire Application Primary function: Designed for long-distance trips Made to handle various heavier loads and withstand extended periods of use Typically operate outside of a 300-mile radius and can average 100,000 miles or more annually Want to see the difference between regional and long-haul tires visually? Click here to watch a video depicting the two.

Commercial trucks have various tire positions, including steer, drive, and trailer positions. Each serve a specific function in supporting the vehicle's weight and handling. Understanding these positions is crucial for proper tire maintenance and replacement. 1. Steer Tire Position Location: Front of the vehicle Primary function: Shape and guide handling and provide smooth ride Arguably the most critical tires on a commercial truck When purchasing steer tires, select a durable tire that can handle various road conditions. 2. Drive Tire Position Location: Behind the steer axle Primary function: Responsible for providing power and traction to the truck When purchasing drive tires, consider the durability, traction, and ability to withstand high torque 3. Trailer Tire Position Location: Back of the trailer Primary function: Follow where the trailer is being towed and support the weight of the load When purchasing trailer tires, consider the maximum weight of the loads you'll be hauling and the terrain you'll be driving on 4. All-Position Location: Can be used on any position on a commercial truck Primary function: Offers balanced performance and is suitable for steer, drive, and trailer positions Mostly built with the steer axle in mind, but performs well on the drive and trailer axles as well. When purchasing an all-position tire, follow the same purchasing guidelines for steer, drive, and trailer tires. Tire positions are the foundation for all knowledge a drive must know about commercial truck tires. To learn more or speak with a tire advisor concerning your tires, contact us here.

As a trucker, you've seen the writings on the side of your tires, but they're not just manufacturing gibberish. Each tire code actually has significant meaning that every trucker should familiarize themselves with to make knowledgeable purchasing and safety decisions. Tire Code Overview: Tire Size Code 1st Number = Tire Width Represents the tire width (mm) from one shoulder to the other (the width of the tire’s road contact patch) 2nd Number = Tire Aspect Ratio Indicates the tire’s sidewall height from the rim to the tread 3rd Number = Rim Diameter The distance measured between the parallel bead seats of a wheel After the second number, there can be a letter R, D, or a dash (–). Radial (R): Plies are placed at 90-degree angles from one to the other sidewall which optimizes the tires for everyday use, as it minimizes the possibility of heat build-up. Diagonal (D): Nylon cord casing layers are placed diagonally in the tread and sidewall. These typically belong to trailer tires for load bearing. Bias-Ply (–): Internal ply cords are diagonally placed, overlapping each other, and angled at 30-40 degrees in order to reinforce the tire’s strength. Load Index Load index determines how much weight one tire can handle and corresponds to the specific weight (pounds) the tire withstands while still offering secure performance. Fundamental rule when replacing tires: Never go lower on the load index. Speed Ratings Located After the load index & indicates the tire’s maximum speed capability Below is a chart depicting each speed rating, the max speed, and the vehicle type for each. Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) Treadwear Grade Provides a better look into the expected tread life of the specific tire model. For example, if the treadwear grade is 280, the tire’s excepted tread life is around 28,000 miles Traction Rating Represents the tire’s ability to stop on wet road surfaces. The better this rating is (with AA being the best), the shorter its stopping distance will be. Temperature Grade Indicates the tire’s heat durability. Ranges from A-C, with “A” withstanding the highest temps. Weather Durability All-Season: Tires that feature M+S on their sidewalls are all season models. This indicates their performance in mud and snow, basically rainy and snowy conditions. Winter Tires: Depict the 3PMS (three-peak mountain and snowflake) symbol, showcasing the tire’s secure application in freezing and icy situations. Use this post as a guide to refer back to when buying or even inspecting your tires to ensure you have the tires you need for your specific application.

OTR (Over-the-road or long-haul) truckers are oftentimes taken advantage of when in need of tire services away from home. These four tips will ensure you've got the know-how to get the best deal and service. Keep A Spare Having a spare allows you to only pay for the tire install, saving you money. Visit Local Tire Dealers Local stores typically offer better deals and don't push specific premium brands on you. Get At Least Three Quotes Prior to Visiting A Tire Store Shopping around and getting quotes gives you the best negotiating power. Purchase Used Tires In an over the road predicament, used tires will hold you over until you get back to your home city and preferred tire dealer. Educate Yourself Knowing the basics of commercial truck tires, such as the best for each position and application as well as safety guidelines ensure you're in a position to speak confidently to what you need or want from a tire dealer. Subscribe to the GTT Commercial Tires Youtube channel for education videos.

Tires are the backbone of your trucking operation. Without proper tires and tire maintenance practices, your truck will be sitting and we know that a truck that is sitting isn't earning. Follow these tips to ensure your tires' safety, prolong their lifetime, and run them at peak performance. Check Tire Pressure Improperly inflated tires lead to uneven wear, decreased sidewall integrity and fuel efficiency, and an increased risk of tire blowout. Use a tire pressure gauge before operating your truck to accurately check the tire's pressure. Kicking or hitting the tire does not guarantee proper inflation. Inspect Tread Depth Low tread equals low traction, especially in wet or icy road conditions, increasing safety risks. Use a tread depth gauge, not your finger or coin, to get the most precise reading of your tread as to not exceed the legal minimum tread. The legal minimum tread depths are: 4/32 for the Steer position 2/32 for the Drive and Trailer positions Perform Regular Visual Inspections Check for signs of damage including cuts, cracks, bulges, or embedded debris. Examine each tire's D.O.T date on the sidewall. The last two digits indicate the year the tire was manufactured. Ideally, you don't want tires more than four years old on your truck. Review Technicians' Work Whenever you have your tires changed or serviced, look over the technician's work to make sure your tires were properly installed. If you have directional steer tires, be sure they are facing the right way. On a dual assembly, both wheels should sit flush to each other. Check that all lug nuts are on the wheel and evenly torqued; in addition to checking that no studs are broken or loose. A general rule of thumb to follow is to retorque lugs every 500 miles. Rotate Your Tires and Align Your Wheels Rotating tires event out wear patterns and extends tires' lifespan. For commercial trucks, it's recommended to rotate tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. Proper wheel alignment prevents uneven tire wear, improves handling, and increases fuel efficiency. Misaligned wheels can cause your truck to pull to one side. Balance Your Tires Unbalanced tires cause vibrations, uneven wear, and strain on your vehicle's suspension. If you notice vibrations, visit your tire dealer to check that your original balance solution is properly functioning. Balancing your tires evenly distributes the weight around the tire providing a smoother, safer ride. Properly Store Your Tires Store spare or seasonal tires in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight and chemicals. Proper storage prevents dry rotting, deterioration of the tire compound, and extends tire life. Following these guidelines will keep your tires at their optimal performance, last longer, and keep you and others safe. To schedule a tire inspection or service with GTT Commercial Tires, CLICK HERE.

No one wants their tire to blow requiring them to get emergency road service from a tire shop; however, it happens. Follow these tips to ensure you're not getting the short end of the stick from tire roadside service providers. Keep a spare tire Having a spare tire allows you to avoid purchasing a new one, so all you have to pay for are the service charges. Know how and what to ask for from providers Negotiate with providers close to your location, ask for options such as premium, import, new, used, virgin, or recap tires, and express your willingness to go with another provider. Invest in a dual tire pressure equalization system Dual tire pressure equalization systems make pre-trips easier in addition to maintaining enough air pressure to safely make it to the nearest tire shop if any roadside tire emergency arises. Set up a national account with any specific tire brand National accounts ensure your prices are the same no matter where you go. Repair or replace your own tire If you have the know-how and all the tools needed, you can repair/replace your own tire to avoid roadside services entirely. To learn how to change your tire, click here. GTT Commercial Tires offers flat-rate emergency roadside services. Click here to call now!

We all know that while your truck is rollin', you're earnin'. So unexpected battery failure can cause major disruption for your trucking operation. Follow these three tips to maximize the life of the batteries you already own so you won't have to replace them sooner than anticipated. Keep all your batteries clean and dry Dirt and grime can build up on batteries over time, so periodically inspecting the batteries can prevent possible poor connections or corrosion. Check the battery charge regularly By regularly testing your batteries to see if the battery is being overcharged or draining too quickly, you can identify any issues with the battery’s performance before they become too severe. Minimize extreme weather exposure High temperatures can cause bloating of the battery case and prematurely age the battery. Low temperatures can cause the battery to lose a portion of its charge. By following these three measures, you will extend your truck's battery life and prolong the immediate need to replace batteries, keeping you on the road. Call now or visit us at any of our three locations to get your free battery testing today!

Tire pressure is the most essential element for safe, properly functioning tires; yet, it's the least monitored maintenance. Follow this guide to ensure you're adequately airing up your tires. If you're experiencing excessive wear along the edges of your tires, they may be under-inflated. With over-inflated tires, excessive wear will be prevalent in the center of the tread. To prolong the life of your tires and maintain even tread wear, ensure your tires are properly inflated. Tire pressure is also affected by seasonal changes. The table below lists the general guidelines to follow for each position in Summer and Winter. It's also important to consider your trailer applications and loads when discussing your tire pressure. Call GTT Commercial Tires today to get your complimentary tire inspection to verify your tire pressure is good to go!