Pros and Cons of Retreading Tires

In today’s world of advanced transportation logistics; there are numerous options for drivers, owners, fleet managers, and companies to choose from when it comes to vehicle maintenance. There is a lot to consider when it comes to purchasing equipment; just as important as a truck itself are the tires on which it travels. Tires can wear down fast as transportation companies can put a lot of miles on a tire in a short amount of time. Aside from new tires, you could choose retread tires which are becoming more common and can be more cost-effective.

What is a retread tire?

What do you do when your truck’s tire treads wear down to the point where the tire is no longer safe to drive on? There are two options: option one, buy new tires and the old ones are disposed of; option two, have them essentially remade with retreading. Since the process of retreading tires for the transportation industry became a practice, there has been a stigma that these tires are not as safe or durable as new tires. When new manufacturing methods are developed, it does take time to perfect the process. The opinions developed when this technology was in its infancy can be easily disproved when you dive into this meticulous process. With the help of current technologies, these tires are just as reliable and durable as new tires.

Let’s take a quick look at the retreading process; when a tire’s tread is too low for safe transportation, you can take it to a retread professional who is an experienced and skilled technician. They will inspect the tire to make sure it can be given new tread and reused. They have special equipment to assist them in this endeavor, checking to be sure that the core and belts on the tire are not damaged. If there is too much damage to retread the tire, it will be discarded for recycling. If the tire meets the qualifications for retreading, it will have whatever old tread is left stripped away, the tire will be buffered, leaving only a smooth core to work with. New rubber is added to the core and finally, the new tread is attached to the tire. Once the new tread is attached to the tire, it will go through a heat-based curing process to help ensure that the tire is of sound quality and ready to hit the road. At the end of this process, the tire will be inspected again so you know it is of the highest quality.

Now that we know the basic process, we can weigh the benefits and disadvantages of these tires. Logistics can be difficult for any company in the transportation industry; many factors are considered regarding the safety and efficiency of their trucks and drivers. Finding the facts and weighing out the options will help you make the best choice for your transportation needs.

Cons

The majority of negatives surrounding retread tires also involve poor workmanship and lower-quality materials being used in the process. Before you have your tires retreaded, it is very important to find a high-quality shop that is reliable and maintains an excellent reputation. If the process is lacking, retread tires can be less durable which makes them more likely to have the tread separate from the tire. They can add more road noise in the truck’s cabin. They can be prone to tire pressure issues. Retread tires can require a driver to be more consistent with their truck’s inspections to be sure the tires are not breaking down too fast. Considering their frequent usage in the transportation industry, drivers will want to regularly inspect the depth of the tread as well as the tire’s pressure to ensure the safety of themselves and other drivers on the road.

Pros

There are many positives for retread tires. New tires can be expensive, especially for trucks with trailers since they require more tires. Retreading tires can significantly increase the life of the tire by replacing the tread and maintaining the core. These are more budget-friendly than new tires as the cost of retreading a tire is lower. Retread tires are also more kind to our environment in comparison to new tires. Old treads can be recycled and reused, cutting down on waste. Less material is required to retread a tire than to manufacture new tires. Retread tires are held to a high standard and have been proven to be just as durable and safe as new tires.

Conclusion

Truck tires are an important component in the transportation industry. New tires can be expensive, but retread tires are a quality alternative to help a transportation company stay within its fleet maintenance budget. These tires help cut down on waste; the process is reliable and retread tires are safe and efficient. When considering your options for tires, review the pros and cons, and make the best decision for your company.