Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/85392
TIRE SPEC'ING BLUES A Multiple vehicles, various wheel positions and different performance demands for each can make tire spec'ing a nightmare. Learn how to get a handle on the basics. BY JACK ROBERTS s the ultimate moving part, tires lead hellish lives. Yet the job they do is so crucial and the operating environment so tough, they remain one of the hardest components without any moving parts to de- sign and manufacture on a consistent reliable basis. And they have to perform to our ex- pectations, in widely differing applications – and do so largely without failure. Tires perform so well, it's easy to take them for granted – but wise fleet manag- ers understand that it can be a costly error to do so. Year in and year out, tires consistently rank as one of a fleet's top three expenses along with fuel and labor costs. Understanding what tires work best on your vehicles and in your specific applications is fundamental for ensuring fleet productivity and efficien- cy. Moreover, correct tire spec'ing can provide an edge in today's highly competi- tive business environment. And who doesn't want to get a step ahead? The problem many fleet managers face when considering tires is an embarrassment of riches: A multitude of manufacturers offer tires for every conceivable wheel position and application. There are tires for maximum fuel economy. There are tires for extreme off-road conditions. There are long-distance tires. There are regional tires. And there are tires for everything in be- tween. And tire design is upgraded and tweaked continually. So it's not as simple as finding a tire you like and sticking with it; the tech- nology and the products offered 66 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | JULY 2012