Heavy-duty (HD) truck tires are three quarter ton and one ton commercial truck tires. HD tires are different from most tires because they have smaller spaces between blocks of tread, deeper treads, three-ply polyester casing, and other features which make them more rugged. These tires are specifically designed for the considerable demands of long-haul trucking, but it seems as though tire blowouts in Miami and other cities as well as other tire issues are always in the news. There are product liability lawsuits launched in Miami and across the country when these tires fail and sometimes tire recalls are launched when manufacturing defects develop.
Why are there so many challenges with HD tires? According to safety experts and manufacturers, the climate across the country varies widely, from freezing temperatures during part of the year in the north to very hot and sometimes wet conditions in the South. Manufacturers need to create tires that work in all of these conditions. In addition, tires are meant to be used in certain ways. Even the best designed tires, created with extensive on-road testing, consideration of customer comments, and even computer software, won’t work well if they are stored in a warehouse for extended periods of time before use, allowing the rubber to deteriorate. When truck drivers speed, fail to take proper care of their HD tires, or overload trucks past their maximum capacity, tires can still fail. In addition, flaws in the design and manufacturing process can still create design defects that can lead to tire blowouts and truck rollovers in Miami and other cities.
There are many things that truck carriers and drivers can do to prevent tire issues and trucking collisions caused by HD tire issues:
1) Choose the right HD tire for the job. When buying tires for a big rig or tractor trailer, it is important to consider the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the truck as well as the gross axle weight ratings and to choose HD tires appropriate for those numbers.
2) Make sure things add up. Sometimes, one tire will wear out before the others. When it does and only one tire needs to be replaced, it is important that the replacement tire is the exact same type of tire and has the same tread depth and wear as the other tires. Mismatched tires increase the risk of collisions and tire issues.
3) Perform maintenance routinely. Although HD tires are designed to withstand various conditions, they still need more inspection than the average passenger tire because there is simply more pressure and more demands placed on big rig and tractor trailer tires. As part of regular maintenance, tires should be checked for wear and issues. They should also be kept properly inflated. Over-inflated tires can blowout while under-inflated tires can cause heat to build up inside the tire, which can also lead to tire blowouts. Tires should also be rotated regularly, since HD tires on a big rig or commercial truck all do different tasks and therefore wear down at different rates, leading to mismatched tires.
4) If you need to replace one or two tires, put your new tires in the front. On a truck, especially, having better treads in the front is safer and is more likely to help you avoid a collision.
If you have been injured in a trucking accident caused by tire blowouts or other tire issues, you may have a legal claim that lets you recover for lost wages, medical costs, and other damages. To find out whether you qualify, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free, no obligation case assessment.