Tire Casings 101

Tires are one of the top three costs for a trucking fleet. That means you’ll want to get the most miles out of each tire. One way to do that is to understand the anatomy of tires.  In addition, you should know the crucial role tire casings play in a tire’s longevity. Quality tire casings and proper tire monitoring can positively affect a fleet’s bottom line.

What are Tire Casings?

The layer beneath the tire tread is the casing. Essentially, tire casings are the foundation upon which the tread sits. According to MichelinMan.com, the casing layer consists of threads crisscrossing from one side of the tire to the other.

Tire casings are rated by how many threads they contain per inch. This is also known as TPI. The TPI affects the lifespan of the tires and how they perform.  Tires with lower TPI resist punctures better, but higher TPI tires weigh less.

The cost of casings account for about 75 percent of the total cost of a tire. Proper maintenance of tires protects tire casings. Hence, they last as long as possible.

Managing Tires

Trucking fleets should have a protocol in place for managing tires. Routine checks and maintenance will identify problems early, which can reduce or prevent costly problems. The procedure should include:

• scheduled yard inspections
• checking tire pressure
• examining tread depth and wear
• creating a chain of command for processing reports and recommendations

Also, every fleet should have a procedure for on-road repairs, and all drivers should be familiar with it.

Furthermore, managing tires is a safety issue for any fleet. However, it is also a practice that will keep you aware of the condition of your tires and tire casings. In the end, that helps with managing costs.

Retread Strategy

Retreading is another component of tire management. Retreading is capable of extending the life of tire casings by up to four times. What’s more, the cost of retreading is about one-third to one-half less than buying new tires.

Quality casings are made to be retreaded so tires last beyond the initial tread-life. The tires must be well-maintained to reach their maximum lifespan, and that includes proper inflation. Under or over-inflated tires don’t last as long. Consequently, proper inflation protects your investment in quality tire casings.

Your customers can rely on you to manage tire casings and a solid retread strategy. You can connect them with a retread plant that will remove the rubber from the tire casings and apply the new tread. With proper care and maintenance, a tire can remain in service through three or four retreads. That translates into significant savings for your customers.