You almost certainly appreciate how important your choice of tires can be to maintaining the integrity and performance of your truck on a daily basis. It goes without saying that your tires also play a critical role in keeping you safe on the road, by giving you the level of traction and response needed as you drive your truck.
Finding the right truck tires can be a challenging process. Your chosen truck parts supplier can help you find the right options and guide you based on your specific needs. The type of truck you drive, the conditions you regularly face, and your style of driving, all play a pivotal role in selecting the most suitable truck tire.
Let’s take a look at the key factors to consider when choosing tires for your truck. Using truck tires, in particular, is a very relevant consideration, for a number of valid reasons. This overview aims to answer all of those key questions so that you can choose the best truck tires that meet your needs.
Why do you need truck tires?
There are many valid reasons why you need truck tires. Two of those most obvious factors that should drive your purchasing decision would be safety and performance.
Trucking heavy loads on a daily basis comes with a huge set of responsibilities and safety considerations. A top safety priority would be to have tires fitted that can cope with the weight capacity and sizing demands that are relevant to your truck’s profile.
Generally speaking, light truck tires simply won’t have the right capacity or size to be able to withstand the unique demands of trucking and transportation. Truck tires are considered the superior option when it comes to equipping your truck with the capability to meet the challenges faced on our roads every day.
What’s so special about truck tires?
These tires are specifically designed to cope with long and consistent use. They are also designed to cope with heavy loads as well as offering the versatility needed to perform on all sorts of different road conditions.
You can even get truck tires that are uniquely designed to perform on sealed roads. An obvious characteristic about truck tires is that they are purpose-built to cope with the daily demands typical of a large truck and its regular tasks. As they have been designed with these personality traits in mind, it means that truck tires can often offer superior fuel economy compared to light truck tires. You will also benefit from improved tire life, as truck tires are built to last.
Understanding the relevance of axle position
You can get different truck tires based on axle position. The different types of truck tire available are drive, steer, and trailer. These descriptive terms confirm what they deliver when fitted to your truck.
You would fit steer tires at the front of your truck, while drive and trailer tires are intended to be fitted at the rear. They have all been designed to ensure that they deliver optimal performance in their chosen position. It is for this reason that each specific tire type should only be fitted in its intended position, either at the front or the rear of the truck.
As well as understanding the relevance of choosing tires based on axle position, it should be noted that the best tires for your needs are influenced by factors such as weather, the relevant tire size, and performance standards.
If you are running an individual truck, or a commercial fleet operation, the same crucial elements apply. You want a truck tire that offers you the best level of downtime reduction, combined with superior fuel efficiency and tire longevity.
Let’s look at the characteristics of each truck tire type.
Steer axle tires are designed to deliver optimal handling performance and allow you to enjoy responsive and smooth steering when driving your truck. This type of truck tire has been purposefully designed to be fitted at the front axle of your truck.
They will bear the brunt of all of the majority of stresses and strains that come with turning your truck.
Trailer axle tires have been designed to deliver maximum mileage potential and offer the best level of fuel efficiency possible. They achieve these aims while coping admirably with the challenge of coping with both static and dynamic loads.
A good tip to remember is that trailer axle tires need to be protected from scrubbing, as this can soon lead to uneven tire wear and cause excessive wear. Both of these issues could significantly reduce the lifespan of your trailer axle tires, which is why you need to take relevant preventative measures.
Drive axle tires are tasked with the important job of translating your truck engine power into forward motion. The way this type of truck tire achieves this aim by using a tread pattern that has been designed for this primary purpose. Not only does the strong grip help to achieve maximum traction levels, but it also helps reduce braking distances at the same time.
What about light truck tires?
Depending on the vehicle you are driving, you might find that light truck tires could be suitable.
This type of truck tire is often used on light trucks, trailers, and vans. They are still designed and constructed to cope with a heavier load capacity than a standard tire. Light truck tires will provide you with enhanced protection from carcass damage and offer excellent puncture resistance. This helps improve stability and safety, especially when carrying or towing extra weight loads.
Whatever type of truck tire you need, you will be able to find one that fits the bill. Decide what specific characteristics you want based on your daily trucking demands. Once you have worked this out, talk to your parts supplier about your options. They will be able to guide you on the best type of truck tire, and the brand that is most suitable.
Now you know all of the attributes associated with truck tires, you should be able make an informed decision and choose tires that will deliver optimal safety and performance levels.
