Commercial Tire Safety Checklist for Long-Haul Drivers
Long-haul trucking requires traveling distances greater than 500 miles per day. Spending that much time on the road can take a toll on your commercial tires. That’s why it’s important to complete regular inspections to ensure safety and regulation compliance.
#1: Complete a Pre-Trip Tire Inspection
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires pre-trip inspections to ensure compliance and improve documentation tracking and fleet monitoring.
Conducting a pre-trip inspection before a long-haul drive allows you to spot potential tire issues that could become dangerous or costly problems on the road. You can reduce your overall maintenance and repair costs and lower your risk of breakdowns and collisions. That will also help you save time during a long-haul drive.
#2: Check Tire Pressure
Tires are one of the most expensive investments for a commercial fleet. Ensure your tires go the extra mile during a long haul by checking and maintaining proper inflation. Underinflation can result in heat buildup, blowouts and flats. That puts your drivers and other motorists at an increased risk of accidents.
Tires lose pressure over time, so check them during your pre-trip inspection before a long haul. Check the pressure before you drive to get an accurate reading and stick to the tire manufacturer’s inflation guidelines. A tire pressure monitoring system can track your tire inflation, too, especially while you’re driving long distances.
#3: Measure Tread Depth
Sufficient tread is essential for long-haul drives, especially if you’re traveling over rough or wet roads. Good tread depth helps your tires grip the road, allowing you to maneuver and brake quickly and safely. Uneven tread wear could also be a sign of underinflation, wheel imbalance or poor suspension.
DOT tread requirements include:
- 4/32 of an inch for steer tires
- 2/32 of an inch for truck and trailer tires
Insert a tread depth gauge between the tread grooves until it’s flush against the base for the most accurate reading. Some commercial tires also have tread wear indicator bars to help you identify when it’s time to replace your tires.
#4: Rotate Tires as Needed
It’s a good rule of thumb to rotate your commercial tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles to prevent uneven wear. However, you may need to do so more often if you drive long hauls frequently or travel through rough driving conditions.
Imbalances and misalignments not only wear out your tires but also strain mechanical components including the suspension, brake system and steering. Drive tires should rotate in an X pattern, switching side and axle or going from front to rear. Steer tires rotate from one side of your vehicle to the other.
#5: Identify and Address Tire Damage
Failing to spot signs of tire damage can spell disaster for long-haul drives. Look for cracks, bulges, cuts, punctures and lodged objects in the tire tread and sidewalls during your pre-trip inspection.
Here are common types of tire damage and how to address them:
Shoulder wear: This type of damage occurs within 12 inches of the edge of the tread. Shoulder wear may result from improper inflation and poorly mounted wheels. Check your tire pressure and wheel alignment regularly.
Scalloping: You may notice sporadic areas of excess wear around your tire that result from mismatched inflation or poor suspension. Ensure proper tire inflation and make sure tread depths match.
One-sided wear: The inner or outer edge of your tire exhibits signs of accelerated wear. You may need to have your wheels aligned or replace worn mechanical components.
#6: Practice Proper Loading Techniques
Delivering products safely and efficiently on a long haul builds trust with your customers and enhances your company’s reputation. Failing to adhere to load ratings can put extra pressure on your commercial tires, increasing the wear rate and risk for failure.
Here are some tips for proper loading in a commercial vehicle:
- Place the heaviest items first at the base of the trailer and stack lighter objects on top.
- Place padding, fillers or blankets in gaps between packages to prevent movement.
- Maintain similar height levels between stacks to prevent items from toppling over.
- Secure cargo every ten feet with straps or rope if you’re transporting long items.
- Check your load during stops or breaks to ensure it’s secure.
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