Drivers of heavy-duty trucks constantly face tough terrains and long hours on the roads. While ensuring that their vehicle is in proper condition, heavy-duty truck tyres are often overlooked.
Heavy-duty truck tyres need to be well-maintained to prevent accidents and ensure a smooth ride. Tyres play a crucial role in the performance and safety of the truck, and poor tyre maintenance can lead to disaster.
One of the essential things to keep in mind while maintaining heavy-duty truck tyres is to ensure that they are properly inflated. Under-inflated tyres can lead to overheating, which can weaken the rubber and result in a tyre blowout. Rural roads and highways can also be unforgiving, and an under-inflated tyre can be the difference between an accident and a safe journey.
To avoid such mistakes, drivers should check their heavy-duty truck tyres regularly and ensure that they maintain the recommended pressure mentioned in the factory manual. It’s also important to check your tyres’ pressure before starting your journey and every six hours during the drive.
Regular alignment and balancing of the tyres on a heavy-duty truck are very important. Misaligned or unbalanced tyres can cause significant damage to the suspension, steering, and brakes, causing safety hazards.
When driving on rough terrain, protective measures such as mudflaps can help keep the tyres clean and prolong their life. Any unnecessary load on your truck’s tyres can cause undue pressure and lead to premature wear and tear. When transporting heavy loads, ensure that you have appropriately sized tyres for your vehicle.
Heavy-duty truck tyres are also subjected to rough roads, high-speeds, and harsh weather conditions. Regular visual inspections by drivers can help identify any significant tyre damages like cuts, punctures, bulges, or other deformities that can lead to dangerous outcomes on the road.
In unfortunate cases, where a tyre has a puncture, drivers must ensure that they stop and check for damages before continuing their journey. It is tempting to bypass a puncture and continue driving to avoid delay, but it is highly unsafe and can cause significant damage to the vehicle and put others on the road at risk.
To sum it up, heavy-duty truck tyres play an essential role in the safety of drivers, their passengers, and other road users. Proper tyre maintenance not only extends the life of heavy-duty truck tyres but also ensures better fuel economy, vehicle handling, and stopping distance.
Therefore, taking a proactive approach towards tyre maintenance for heavy-duty trucks is an integral part of commercial driving. Checking your tyres regularly, ensuring they are properly inflated, and maintaining appropriate loads and driving speeds can help drivers avoid unnecessary risks and accidents on the road.