Avoiding Semi-Truck Tire Blowouts
If you’ve ever suffered a tire blowout in your semi truck, you know what a hassle it is. At the very least, it means taking your truck off the road for the amount of time it takes to install a new tire. In more serious cases, a tire blowout can cause an accident and even injure your driver or another driver on the road.
WHY DO BLOWOUTS HAPPEN?
Commercial truck tire blowouts can occur for several reasons, the three most common being:
- 1) Underinflated tires: When your tires are underinflated, the rubber contact patch and sidewall aren’t at optimal operating conditions. Your tires will wear quickly, which can cause a blowout that sends shredded tire everywhere.
- 2) Overloading: Loads that exceed the weight capacity of your truck and tires is another common cause of tire blowout. Countless trucks crisscross our highways every day carrying more weight than their tires can safely handle. This often leads to dangerous blowouts.
- 3) Road condition: The condition of our nation’s roads and highways plays a factor in commercial truck tire blowouts as well. As tires get older, they are less resistant to sharp impacts, and repeatedly hitting potholes can eventually cause a blowout.
HOW CAN I AVOID A BLOWOUT?
To avoid a blowout, always make sure you’re running the right tire pressures. Remember: overinflating your tires can also affect the handling and safety of your semi truck, so always take the time to adjust for a new load. You should also know the maximum load rating of your tires and stay below that limit. When possible, drive at speeds that allow you to avoid major potholes to help minimize the risk of a blowout.
Another important point to consider is having your semi trucks’ tires inspected by a professional. Foley RIG360's technicians can inspect your tires and point out any damage that could lead to a dangerous and costly blowout. We can also tell you when it’s time to change your tires to ensure that you can keep rolling with less risk of an inconvenient blowout.
