on average how many miles should you expect to get on a set of tires on a
straight truck?
do the front get less miles than the rear?
thanks
Let me start by saying it is a privilege to be asked by the "EO Crew" to have an opportunity to post information pertaining to our industry. I hope you will find a piece of information that you can find useful in our obviously trying economy. My desire it to be able to help owners make good sound decisions about their equipment that will save money in the long run.
My name is Heath Wood and I am the sales and finance manager at Middle Georgia Freightliner Isuzu in Macon, Georgia. I began my career sweeping the floors in my "Papa's" and Dads shop. Papa and Grandma started the business in 1967 and my dad came out of his accounting career and joined Papa. As they say, the rest is history. My dad jokingly says my first ride to work was a stroller. I can remember racing across a shop on a creeper and dying to be able to roll under a truck with anyone who needed a sidekick to hold the other end of the nut. My fondest memories start from when I was about twelve - thirteen. This is when Papa would put a chair beside a truck and tell me what to do. At 15, we did road calls together, he drove, I listened and did the work. I had no idea he was instilling in me something no one could take away. A desire to succeed and be the best. By the time I was 18 I was a fully trained mechanic and had completed some of the best training available.
After obtaining a Bachelor's in Business Management, Dad offered me a position in sales. At that time there was one sales guy who had decided to move on to bigger and better things. So there I was, on the ground floor of a sales department that averages 30 trucks a year and no idea what to do next. That March I attended my first Mid America Truck Show and saw a Roberts Express truck. I told my Dad that was the industry I wanted to go after because it was different. He laughed and said go for it! Over the next 24 months we worked to build our pace in the market. I would sell during the day, change clothes and work on trucks at night. Today, fortunately and unfortunately, God has blessed our family business! I do not get the opportunity to work along side the mechanics on a daily basis. However, I do meet them at the coffee pot every morning and listen to some of the best TECHNICIANS in the business. I count myself as the luckiest guy in the world. Who else gets to have coffee with his Dad every morning before starting to work?
Ok, enough introduction already! Lets talk trucks and maintenance. I will be the first to admit there is a lot I don't know. If I don't have the answers, I will go to the guys that do and give the best information I can find. Keep in mind, technicians are like lawyers - no two have the same solution to solving a problem. I will also ask for the assistance from experienced owner operators who's mental capacity just blows me away. Lets roll.......
Comments - Tell us what you think below
otr4alivin
23 Sep 2009, 11:00
23 Sep 2009, 11:00
George
25 Sep 2009, 16:07
Do you carry Isuzu expedites trucks?
Geo and Linda
25 Sep 2009, 16:07
Do you carry Isuzu expedites trucks?
Geo and Linda
Heath
30 Sep 2009, 12:10
30 Sep 2009, 12:10
Hi otr4alivin,
Sorry for the delay in the response. The blog thing is very new to me. The mileage people get on the front tires has been a common discussion for several years. I've heard people get as high as 130K on front tires. The secret to the tires lasting is keeping the air adjusted properly. So many times people fill the truck with fuel, check the oil, and walk right by the tires. In fact, tire inflation is a major contributor to fuel mileage also. Oh yea, about the tire pressure.... Tires have the pressure stamped into the side wall. Most say 105 psi. If you read on, the tire will also show the maximum weight the tire was designed for. That air pressure is the amount of air needed for the tire to ride flat on the road at maximum weight. The problem in expediting is most of the trucks never get close to the maximum weight of the tire. For this reason, the center of the tire takes the most impact of the road and irregular tire ware becomes evident. Leading to a poor ride not to mention a short tire life. I did a study with a fleet owner and his Michelin rep several years ago. With about 30 trucks in the fleet we started trying to find the right tire pressure. Turns out, we moved the tire pressure from 105 psi to 92 psi, and increased the average tire mileage from 70K miles to 125K miles. A significant difference that put money back into the customer’s pocket.
Sorry for the delay in the response. The blog thing is very new to me. The mileage people get on the front tires has been a common discussion for several years. I've heard people get as high as 130K on front tires. The secret to the tires lasting is keeping the air adjusted properly. So many times people fill the truck with fuel, check the oil, and walk right by the tires. In fact, tire inflation is a major contributor to fuel mileage also. Oh yea, about the tire pressure.... Tires have the pressure stamped into the side wall. Most say 105 psi. If you read on, the tire will also show the maximum weight the tire was designed for. That air pressure is the amount of air needed for the tire to ride flat on the road at maximum weight. The problem in expediting is most of the trucks never get close to the maximum weight of the tire. For this reason, the center of the tire takes the most impact of the road and irregular tire ware becomes evident. Leading to a poor ride not to mention a short tire life. I did a study with a fleet owner and his Michelin rep several years ago. With about 30 trucks in the fleet we started trying to find the right tire pressure. Turns out, we moved the tire pressure from 105 psi to 92 psi, and increased the average tire mileage from 70K miles to 125K miles. A significant difference that put money back into the customer’s pocket.
Heath
30 Sep 2009, 12:15
30 Sep 2009, 12:15
Geo and Linda,
I have never built an Isuzu expedite truck due to the Cab over engine construction. I thought about it back in the mid 90's but as I spoke to people they said it would be a conflict of interest. Seems the unions did not like unloading trucks that were not built in the US. I would put money on it, many union members would be glad to unload ANY truck that pulled up today just to have their jobs back! Sorry, just a little sarcasm.
I have never built an Isuzu expedite truck due to the Cab over engine construction. I thought about it back in the mid 90's but as I spoke to people they said it would be a conflict of interest. Seems the unions did not like unloading trucks that were not built in the US. I would put money on it, many union members would be glad to unload ANY truck that pulled up today just to have their jobs back! Sorry, just a little sarcasm.
Bastard in a Basket
02 Oct 2009, 23:15
02 Oct 2009, 23:15
I've seen Several Mitisubshi Cabover Expediters over the years, they look
ok, but it doesn't appear to me it would be a very comfortable ride.
Suzette
25 Oct 2009, 02:30
25 Oct 2009, 02:30
Heath:
What tire over the years have you
found to perform the best??
And do you think they will ever allow
a 24ft box with a bigger sleeper???
What tire over the years have you
found to perform the best??
And do you think they will ever allow
a 24ft box with a bigger sleeper???
Jill
27 Oct 2009, 14:45
27 Oct 2009, 14:45
How are truck sales going? My husband and I would like to get back into
expediting and the prices on trucks seem affordable right now. We've been
to your dealership and like what we see. What would a $40,000 truck with
about $4,000 down (good credit) run us a month. I can't get anyone to give
us an answer. Thanks!!
Keith Harris
03 Nov 2009, 10:21
03 Nov 2009, 10:21
Heath, I am a regional accounts manager for a company called CFF Sales and
Leasing out of MT. Juliet TN. We have come up with a new design of cargo
van. We are mainly a supplier for FedEx Ground and Home Delivery and would
actually like to introduce our truck into the Expeditor industry. We have
an upfitted truck designed with a sleeper unit installed. We took the unit
to the Expediters expo in Wilmington OH. We had a very possitive responce.
Can you please check out our website and inform us on your opinion of the
unit? We are looking into suppling these units to dealers across the
country . What is your input on this issue?
gale younger
10 Nov 2009, 22:28
10 Nov 2009, 22:28
We have the Georgia Classic expediter on a M2112 chassis. 13 liter CAT. As
delivered after fueling it was 12,300 on the front axle. After living in it
that weight crept up a lot. Two years, 192,000 miles later we are on our
fourth set of steers. Yes, we have done many alignments, tire balancing,
Centramatics, 3 sets of shocks, bearing checks and so on. Even replaced the
entire tie rod. New in September, our current steers are 12R22.5 Goodyears.
16 ply rating, 7380 pounds per tire at 120 psi. Ride is a bit rough at that
pressure but time will tell about the wear. Personally, I think the front
axle should have been spec'd at 14,000 lbs. The OEM 12,000 pound axle was
overweighted at delivery and it got worse with living and loads added.
James Coggins
28 Nov 2009, 13:10
28 Nov 2009, 13:10
Hello was just wondering if you might know someone needing a tractor i want
to get into expediting i have my class b cdl,and my father is retireing
because of health issues he bought a 2004 freightliner paid cash and has to
quit and hes giving me the truck if you know anyone please let me know i
would love to get into expediting my name is James Coggins and my number is
727-264-7235
Rideplate
05 Dec 2009, 19:55
05 Dec 2009, 19:55
Great Announce,all volume employment minute intention act incident baby
seat force switch neck until next soon shot shout fruit nurse during
possible demonstrate table protection sign concentration fall easy manner
kitchen inside mile above expect soil package studio name club flight enemy
outside each tape relevant business oil hide negotiation consequence enough
style pocket substantial population scientific religion motion driver sell
rural clean murder visit easy live us question scientist he ring forward
mental judge fast sex career influence like slowly marriage eye presence
Wilbert Maupin
03 Feb 2010, 11:03
03 Feb 2010, 11:03
I'm reseaching expedite trucking and interested in getting involved. I
really enjoy the specific tech information. What is the best low friction
wheel bearing grease and oils and transmision fluids?
gad muchai
09 Feb 2010, 19:27
09 Feb 2010, 19:27
i have a freightliner fld120 that has been sitting in dallas since mid last
year. i was hauling cars but the bussiness fell apart. it is a single axle
truck and i am considering adding a drop axle so that i can haul regular
weight. freightliner people in portland oregon told me i can do so for 6000
dollars and that would allow me to haul more weight than with single axle
and its better than purchasing a new truck. do you think it is a good idea.
Leo Bricker
14 Mar 2010, 15:36
14 Mar 2010, 15:36
I'm glad to see Heath here sharing with us and hope everyone realizes how
fortunate we are to have him as a resource. Those who take advantage of his
knowledge will definitely benefit.
