Moreover, the use of wide base tires reduces
tire and rim inventory.
Guidance
When does it make sense to spec wide base
tires? What can you do to help ensure that they
perform in an optimal manner?
Here is some guidance from Evan Perrow,
senior product marketing manager, Goodyear
Tire & Rubber Company. One of the world’s
largest tire companies, Goodyear off ers Th e
Total Solution of trusted products, a nationwide
network, reliable services and fl eet management
tools to help commercial trucking fl eets
lower their total cost of ownership (www.goodyeartrucktires.
com).
“For the most part, wide base tires are niche
products,” he says. “However, running wide
base tires can be very benefi cial for fl eets that
are weight-sensitive and are looking for ways
to increase their payloads, such as tanker operations.
Wide base tires mounted on aluminum
rims oft entimes can signifi cantly reduce a vehicle’s
weight.”
Not a Fit
Where does running wide base tires not make
sense?
“In the past, fuel savings proved to be a
signifi cant benefi t of running wide base tires,”
Goodyear’s Perrow notes. “Th at dynamic is less
prevalent due to the rise of super fuel-effi cient
duals that off er even better fuel economy.
“Th is makes it tougher to quantify wide base
tires’ return on investment when it comes to
reduced fuel consumption.
30 Fleet Maintenance | October 2017
“Also in the past, the traditional wide base
tire’s perceived lack of ‘limp home capability’
was more of a barrier to the products’
acceptance, especially by long haul fl eets,” he
continues. “Goodyear’s exclusive, self-sealing
DuraSeal Technology, which instantly seals
nail-hole punctures of up to ¼” in the repairable
area of a tire’s tread, has helped overcome
this problem.”
To better understand the pros and cons
of wide base tires, and whether or not they
would make sense for your operation, consult
with your local tire dealer and/or tire service
provider and seek their assistance.
Maintenance
For wide base tires, as with all truck tires, “the
importance of proper maintenance cannot be
overstated,” stresses Perrow of Goodyear.
“Long haul fl eets that run wide base tires
should pay particular attention to two maintenance
practices: infl ation checks and truck
alignment.”
“Maintaining proper inflation pressure is,
quite simply, the single most effective thing
that a fleet can do to help ensure optimal
wide base tire performance while minimizing
wear. Fleets should check inflation levels
as often as possible.”
Like low infl ation, truck misalignment is a
condition that warrants special attention, he
adds. Over time, a regular alignment program
can help combat the occurrence of irregular wear.
“Keep in mind that a traditional front-end
alignment isn’t always enough for long haul
trucks,” he notes. “Drive axles should be
aligned, too.”
Suited for
weight-sensitive
applications.
A qualifi ed tire service provider can help
fl eets devise a customized wise base tire maintenance
program.
Ready for Retreading?
Like conventional truck tires, wide base tires
can be retreaded, and the retread process is
the same.
Retreading wide base tires can help minimize
the life-cycle cost, off ering better value
and return on investment than just buying
new tires.
Goodyear’s Perrow says “most fl eets place
specifi cations on the number of wide base tire
repairs that they allow. Typically, we see fl eets
retreading wide base tires once or twice in most
applications to optimize the casing asset.
“In addition, it’s important for retread
performance to compliment new tire performance,
so having the highest-quality retread
is important.”
Any fl eet that contemplates using wide base
tires should calculate the ability of these products
to drive down its operating costs, he recommends.
“It pays to factor the value of retreading
into this equation.”
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