Scrap Yard Gumshoe
Scrap Yard Gumshoe Regardless of the type of spent machinery, component equipment, or materials they provide a gathering place for, scrap yards contain an abundance of information. Witness the differences in average mileage accumulated or failure modes for various models of automobiles prior to reaching their final rusting place. Or the average age difference between
Why Do Tires Fail?
Why Do Tires Fail? Tires are undoubtedly the most critical safety component on a vehicle. Where the rubber meets the road affects traction, handling, steering, stability and braking. Because of this, a sudden tire failure can have serious consequences, especially if it occurs at highway speeds in a vehicle with a high center of gravity.
Back to Basics – Part 2
Back to Basics – Part 2 Building on the knowledge gained from last month’s column on wheel measurement basics, let’s take a look at the different types of lug nuts and their purposes. This may seem like a trivial matter, but the fact is that for all of the work that you do in your
Moving on Upward: Luxury SUVs Have Changed the Way Manufacturers and Dealers Think
Moving on Upward Luxury SUVs Have Changed the Way Manufacturers and Dealers Think It used to be that a sport utility vehicle was nothing more than a pickup truck with a backseat and a covered bed. A time when the Jeep Cherokee was the most luxurious SUV simply because it was the only SUV. Now
Going Single in a Dual World
Going Single in a Dual World By now you have likely heard about the new single wide-base tires – super wides, as we call them – being offered for line haul applications by several of the major truck tire manufacturers. Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone/Firestone and Continental all have their versions, and all are in various states
Start at the Beginning
Start at the Beginning Welcome to Wheel Turnings, a new regular column that will discuss important – and, we hope, valuable – technical and application issues with custom wheels and tire/wheel packages. In our ever-changing industry, we must always be aware of what our retail customers need and demand from us. First, a little bit
Altering the Landscape: Dealers Battle Consolidations, Competition For OTR Business
Altering the Landscape Dealers Battle Consolidations, Competition For OTR Business Consolidations, tighter budgets, increased competition. Sounds like any type of industry. But not every industry deals with vehicles capable of moving 100 tons of earth and mineral. Much like the landscapes it works in, the OTR business has changed over the years. The number of
The Great Wide Open: Caring for RV tires and keeping customers informed can win business
The family vacation. It happens every year, usually in the summer when the kids are out of school. Load up the family car, pack the kids in the backseat and drive cross country. Maybe see the Grand Canyon or Mt. Rushmore. Use to be people traveled in a station wagon. Bulky and
The Air In There
The Air In There We’ve discussed a number of tire selection, maintenance and technology issuesin this column over the last 18 months. Over this period, roadside tire pieces have continued to figure prominently in news reports and studies conducted by parties inside and outside of our industry.Some reflection and updating on the basics of pneumatic
Looking For Trouble: Without a Torque Wrench, You’re Just Under the Gun
Looking For Trouble Without a Torque Wrench, You’re Just Under the Gun On Sept. 27, 2000, a tractor-trailer on I-70 outside of Columbus, Ohio, lost two wheels on the trailer. One of the wheels bounded across the interstate and struck another semi traveling in the opposite direction, causing the vehicle to lose control and jump
Treadwear Tales
Tires always tell a story. The danger is misreading the story and coming to the wrong conclusion about what might be causing the tread to wear prematurely or unevenly. All tires wear as miles accumulate, and all treads eventually wear down to the point where replacement becomes necessary to maintain safe driving, traction and handling.
Hot Tires and Cool Wheels
Hot Tires and Cool Wheels The tire and the wheel. Each is similar in that they’re round and are a major component of any vehicle. But while one is made of rubber, the other is metal – steel, aluminum or an alloy. One costs more than the other, and one may never need replacing. One