Tires

Gee, I just don't know, you are the only fleet with this problem. Sorry, couldn't resist. I don't think this is the sort of problem I am going to solve from a desk in Akron. I suggest you send me another note, via fleetowner.com, with some information on how to get in touch with you (I will not post this info) and I will have a local Goodyear commercial tire specialist get in touch with you to take a look at the situation.

I will only address the tire issues here. First, inflation pressure...make sure the tires have the proper inflation pressure for the load they are carrying. Second, total vehicle alignment. Make sure each axle (steer, drive and trailer)is properly aligned to the vehicle manufacturers specs or tighter. Finally, make sure that shocks, bearings, bushings and all components of the steering and suspension systems are well maintained. Tires are typically the biggest maintenance expense. Treating them right will reduce maintenance costs and help you hit the "BIG" one.

Years ago, tire manufacturers were concerned about tread splices opening up and tires were marked with a direction of rotation. With today's tires, this is not a big concern. I feel that tires can be rotated to any appropriate wheel position and, in fact, would encourage moving a tire to a position that allows it to roll in the opposite direction.

There is no way to calculate the extra wear from multiple axles since tire size, load, placement of the load on the trailer, service conditions, etc. all would have an inpact on the wear rates of each tire in each axle position. It is safe to say that no matter what the set of conditions, the trailer will tend to pivot on one of the axles and drag the tires on the remaining axles a bit sideways. This, of course, will wear these tires more quickly than the tires on the "rotating" axle. The farther the axle from the "rotating" axle, the more the scrubbing will take place.

Goodyear's position on siping is that it may, under certain operating conditions, improve tire performance. In particular, traction may be improved in wet or winter condtions. However, under the vast majority of truck operating conditions, new tires are designed with tread patterns and compounds that do not require siping for satisfactory performance. From a treadwear standpoint, there are some cases where siping has helped tires wear more evenly. For more information on siping go to http://www.goodyear.com/truck/pdf/radialretserv/Retread_S12_V.pdf This is Section 12 out of our Radial Truck Tire and Retread Service Manual and includes a few paragraphs on siping.