Are high fuel costs causing a lack of maintenance ?

[saorbust]

Let me explain.

I've noticed that a lot of lorries, buses, coaches and other vehicles of late seem to be running with near bald tyres. I never used to see this - and I just wondered if the members of this forum felt it might be as a direct result of the cost of fuel impacting on the budget for the rest of the vehicle upkeep (eg, Lorries - fuel prices must have a huge effect on the overall running budget for the vehicle).

I've also noticed a lot more roadside 'tyre' repairs to Lorries, and I wondered if this is a new trend - thats very disturbing particularly as we approach the wetter months...

 

[Shude]

I've also noticed a lot more roadside 'tyre' repairs to Lorries, and I wondered if this is a new trend - thats very disturbing particularly as we approach the wetter months...

I gather remoulds are popular with HGVs etc, given the distances, number of tyres etc I can see why, brand new truck-sized tyres are expensive!

A truck shed a tyre on the M62 about a week ago, bare wheel resting on the ground with an alligator in the middle lane - no sidewall just the tread still in a circle, almost like the tread had broken away from the sidewall in one piece!

 

[996jimbo]

That's the tread de-laminating on a remould.

Generally (in my experience) companies tend to put new tyres on the front (steering) wheels and remoulds on the driven wheels. Obviously this applies to the smaller trucks - not sure about artics.

 

[Shude]

That's the tread de-laminating on a remould.

The air was thick with a very masculine amount of tyresmoke

Generally (in my experience) companies tend to put new tyres on the front (steering) wheels and remoulds on the driven wheels. Obviously this applies to the smaller trucks - not sure about artics.

This was an artic, and it wasn't the first axle it was the second I think - so probably a remould as you say.

If anyone's thinking of using remoulds on their car - please choose new tyres or at worst part-worns if you value your life and that of others!

 

[Billy]

It is a fact that in the Commercial tyre industry the majority of tyre blow outs are on NEW and not remoulded tyres.

All tyre blowouts/failures are caused by incorrect tyre pressures.

Commercial vehicle Operators are required by law to have there vehicles Inspected every 6 weeks & all LGV's have an annual MOT Test from new (not after 3 years).

I would say that when you make your tyre choice some remoulds are of a better quality than some "new" tyres.

 

[Thmsshaun]

That's the tread de-laminating on a remould.

Generally (in my experience) companies tend to put new tyres on the front (steering) wheels and remoulds on the driven wheels. Obviously this applies to the smaller trucks - not sure about artics.

Yeah that goes all the way up to 44 ton. It is not illegal to use remoulds on the front But operators especially the ones I talk to stay away from this practice. It goes without saying most blowouts will occur on a motorway on a fully laden vehicle. Build up of pressures due to the heat created from the friction.

Legal tread limit on a hgv is 1mm