Tires are frequently listed as one of the highest maintenance expenditures for commercial trucking fleets, and managers are always exploring methods to cut costs.
However, if you’re new to driving a semi truck, you may be curious about how long semi truck tires last. If you’d like to find out, keep reading this article to see what I learned!
How Long Do Semi Truck Tires Last?
Semi-truck tires should last between 25,000 and 50,000 miles (40,000 to 80,000 km), but through improved attention and care, this value can be stretched by up to 50 percent. While there’s no rule limiting the use of old tires, most professionals believe that semi truck tires should be replaced every three to six years.
To learn more about what distance and age semi-truck tires last, the cost of semi-truck tires, and the best semi-truck tire brand, keep reading for more useful facts!
How Many Miles Do Commercial Truck Tires Last?
Truck tires should last between 25,000 and 50,000 miles as a general guide. However, with regular care and attention, that number might increase by up to 50 percent.
Therefore, truck tires might last up to 75,000 miles (about 120,000 km) before they need to be replaced.
Note that tires should be maintained on a regular basis to ensure that they’re safe for use on the road, so checking tire pressure, examining tires for gouges or cracks, and repairing or replacing as needed are all necessary to increase the longevity of your tires.
At What Age Should Semi Tires Be Replaced?
Even though there are no rules prohibiting the use of old vehicle tires, most specialists believe that semi-truck tires should be replaced every three to six years.
It’s usually a good idea to start looking for replacement tires for your fleet if your tires were purchased more than six years ago, and one major reason for this is the risk of tire deterioration and the hazards of shredded tires.
Tire care for heavy-duty trucks may extend the life of the tires by more than six years. Tires for trucks are often designed for heavyweights and long-distance travel, which is why the average tire warranty is seven years.
Nevertheless, truck drivers should keep track of the tread depth and kilometers traveled in addition to the age of their tires.
How Often Should You Change Tires On A Semi Truck?
Most professionals believe that semi-truck tires should be replaced every three to six years.
As stated above, you should start looking for replacement tires for your fleet if your tires were purchased more than six years ago.
Note that if there are any bulges in the sidewalls of truck tires, they should be replaced immediately since they might be hazardous.
Most states require that treads on truck tires be at least 3/32 of an inch, which can be determined by placing a coin in the tread, with the head side down. If the tread is at or above the head, you should change your tires.
Additionally, wear bars will be found on the majority of new tires, indicating when they need to be changed.
How Much Does A Semi Truck Tire Cost?
The average cost of a semi truck tire is around $500 (some of them are available for as low as $150).
The most affordable semi-truck tire is not always the most cost-effective tire, so keep this in mind when making your purchase.
Furthermore, several tire types are designed for use on semis’ driving wheels, steering wheels, and trailer wheels, resulting in more price variances.
Probably the most expensive form of semi-truck tire is drive-wheel tires, while trailer tires are the least expensive.
When making a purchase choice, it’s crucial to consider the cost per mile (take into account a tire’s usual lifespan).
When making your choice, remember that some manufacturer warranties can last up to ten years, depending on the brand.
What Semi Truck Tires Last The Longest?
Michelin is by far the most popular commercial tire manufacturer, as their X Line Energy Z – Steer and D – Drive tires are among the best semi truck tires with a tread life of between 200,000 miles and 400,000 miles (322,000 to 644,000 km) respectively.
These tires combine hardness, long tread life, dry and wet weather performance, and low rolling resistance for reduced fuel usage.
If you typically drive on paved roads, Michelin tires will likely have the longest tread life of any rival in the sector.
How Often Should You Check Semi Truck Tires?
Assess the condition of your tires at every pre-trip checkup for air leaks, sidewall damage, evidence of uneven wear, and anything unusual.
What Is The Size Of Semi-Truck Tires?
Common truck tire sizes are 295/75R22.5, 275/70R22.5, and 225/70R19.5, among others.
While tire size lists are useful and cover common truck tire sizes, they’re useless if you don’t grasp what these numbers represent for you and your truck.
When breaking down the first size, 295/75R22.5, into its component parts, you can see how semi-truck tires are scaled in numerous ways.
295 refers to the tire width and is expressed in millimeters, and having the correct tire width for your truck is crucial because it’s the only contact of your vehicle with the road.
75 is the aspect ratio and represents the percentage of the length of height to width, which is crucial in sizing calculation and in determining the best wheel and tire combination.
R stands for radial, this means that the steel belts within the tire run at a 90-degree angle to the direction the tire is facing.
22.5 is the diameter representing only the diameter of the hole and not the whole tire, so you would need a wheel with a 22.5-inch diameter to fit with this tire.
To learn more about tires, you can also read our posts on how much do monster truck tires weigh, what are XL tires, and how long do trailer tires last.
Conclusion
On average, semi truck tires last between 25,000 and 50,000 miles with a possibility of increasing up to 75,000 miles through regular care and attention, and most experts are of the opinion that semi-truck tires should be replaced every three to six years.
Michelin tires are among the leading semi-truck tires with a tread life of between 200,000 miles and 400,000 miles. When determining how long truck tires last, it’s important to include frequent inspections and maintenance.