Article

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

Mike Yap is a plumbing and heating contractor near Buffalo, N.Y. He operates two GMC 3500-series cargo vans and two utility trailers. He buys tires from a local auto supply jobber. He's a price shopper

Tags: Tire Report, light trucks, Tires

When it comes to commercial tire sales, 2012 could not have been any more contrasting from 2011, says Rick Phillips, Yokohama Tire's director of commercial sales. Phillips, a 35-year tire industry veteran, discusses what the challenges were within the commercial tire industry in 2012 and how they will affect truck owners in 2013

Tags: Tire Report, Economy, Tires

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

We now have conclusive proof that automated tire inflation systems and tire pressure monitoring systems offer quantifiable payback

Tags: Tire Report, Tires

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

The medium-duty world is dominated by the rental and leasing sectors and the pickup and delivery sector, at least in terms of the Class 5-7 trucks using 17.5- and 19.5-inch tires. What they want dictates what the tire makers deliver

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

A racehorse would do about as well dragging a plow through a muddy field as a plow horse would do plodding down the back stretch at Churchill Downs.

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

Spec'ing tires is a lot like photography. It's a series of trade-offs and compromises. Let's say you're after a night shot of a city skyline. Because it's dark, you have to use a long exposure, which could make the photo blurry

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

Need another reason to sweat your tire pressure? How about CSA? It would be hell explaining to your grandkids that you used to run a trucking company until the DOT put you out of business because of poor tire maintenance

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

Okay, we know that optimized tire pressure improves tread and casing life (and value too) and can contribute to improved fuel economy.

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

Nitrogen is not some magic gas with mystical properties, nor is it some philosopher's stone capable of changing the properties of tire rubber

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

Prevailing thinking has it that trailers are a good place to squeeze the last few miles of tread life out of used steer and drive tires prior to retreading or disposing of them

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

Have a look at the list of U.S. EPA SmartWay approved low-rolling-resistance, fuel-efficient tires and you'll notice there are no retreads on the list

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

Many who have switched from duals to wide-base single tires have an almost evangelical enthusiasm for the things. They report better fuel mileage, longer tread life, better handling and stability, higher payload potential, and reduced maintenance costs

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

Talk tires with anyone in the long-haul truckload sector, and fuel economy won't be long percolating to the surface. Every mile they run is pure cost, and any savings are big savings

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

If you're going to have trouble on the road, chances are a tire is at the root of your grief. Tires remain the single most common reason for roadside service calls, no matter who you talk t

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

If you were serious about getting the best odds on a pro basketball bet, you'd research the heck out of the starting lineups, and know in advance that Kobe Bryant's sprained ankle doesn't seem to be much of a liabilit

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

Prominent Canadian journalist Allan Fotheringham offered the following bit of advice to aspiring journalists: "If your mother tells you her age, check it out." But the advantages of a little skepticism aren't limited to journalist

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

Running two tires of different circumference, diameter, or tread depth in a dual assembly is a sure-fire way to kill two tires for the price of one

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

Empty miles can chew up more than your balance sheet. Running empty one way may be good for fuel consumption, but it's hell on tires

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

Here's a quick quiz: What's your tire cost per mile? How many miles per 32nd do you get out of a steer or drive tire? How many miles do you expect from a steer tire

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

Trying to get drivers actively involved in tire maintenance programs is like pushing rope uphill. If you're lucky, the good ones will kick or thump the tires during a pre-tri

Tags: Tire Report

By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

Unlike their relatively pampered long-haul cousins that run all day long on flat, straight Interstates, tires that earn their keep on city streets get up close and very personal with all manner of road hazards, including curbs, potholes, piercing grave

Tags: Tire Report