Semi truck tires - helping you know about your semi truck tires
Semi truck tires
Semi truck tires, semi trucks are usually set with 3 axles, the front axle having two wheels, and each of the two rear axles having a pair of "dual" wheels on each side. The most commonly set semi truck has 10 wheels. The cargo trailer usually has two axles at the rear, each of which have dual wheels, there are usually 8 wheels on the trailer.
Although dual wheels are most common for most semi truck tires, use of a single, wider tire on each axle is becoming popular, particularly among bulk cargo carriers and other freight operators. The United States also allows 2-axle tractors to tow two 1-axle 28-foot semi-trailers known as a set, doubles or a set of joints. Some places also allow towing up to three 28-foot trailers known as road trains or triples.
It is important to understand the codes on the side of the tires you intend to purchase, especially if they are used commercial truck or trailer tires. For example if the tire sidewall reads 295/75R22.5 then in this case this low profile tire has a width of 295 millimeters. On Tall profile tires the reading will be in inches like "12R23" where "12" is inches.
The second number is the aspect ratio but typically on tall 90 and 100 series tires the aspect ratio is not shown at all as part of tire size. The DOT number is broken down with digits one and two being the manufacturer and plant. Digits 3 and 4 are the tire size code whereas the last 3 digits are optional information fields. The last one digit of the last 3 digits indicates the year the tire was produced. If the last digit here is 8 for example then the tire was manufactured in 1998. This would mean that if you were purchasing this tire in 2004 it would be considered past it's useful life and should not be used for anything more than a spare or backup tire for emergency use only.
There are many safety issues associated with changing commercial truck tires, with inflation amounts, and explosion warnings. I recommend that 100% of your contact with tires be jobbed out to a commercial specialty shop and you eat the cost. Pay for this service. No matter how expensive and beautiful your big rig tractor trailer is, there is only rubber between you and the road and between you and an accident if not properly installed, built, maintained, and inflated. Note all of this when purchasing semi truck tires.
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