Very Big Plans: Tire Review’s Exclusive Look at X-One Production, Marketing
#x2019;s tread design and compound provide lower rolling resistance and longer removal mileage than standard tires, said Michelin, adding to the overall cost savings.The X-One is currently available in two tread designs: the XDA drive, an OE exclusive to Freightliner until mid-2003, and the XTA trailer, available as OE to any trailer maker. Both are
Will the Real Cost-Per-Mile Step Forward?
h3>Blame the Bean Counters Why, then, is there such great disparity in total tire costs cited by various fleet managers? The most obvious answer is that not everyone does an equally outstanding job of addressing, or executing, the basics. Larger differences, however, can run much deeper and in most instances can be traced to –
Performing Performance Repairs
Performing Performance Repairs Road hazards are a daily danger for all types of tires regardless of their speed rating, design or what kind of vehicle they’re mounted on. Nails, screws, rivets, pieces of wire, broken glass, shards of metal, sharp stones and anything else that ends up as debris on a road surface may, under
The Forces Are With Us
The Forces Are With Us There are some new terms being used in the tire and vehicle servicing industries today and you may want to learn more about them as they’re not likely to disappear. Most of these terms include the word "force". Such as "road force", "force variation", "dynamic force", and half a dozen
Sonic Bust
Sonic Bust Can we rebound form a speed-of-sound decline? It’s fair to say the medium truck tire market is sagging. Stagnant at best. Fleets are filing Chapter 7 and 11 at a record pace. There is a surplus of used trucks just waiting to be bought. Production of new trucks is at a trickle.
Anything But Average: Profile Study Shows Dealers Adjusting to Stay Ahead
Anything But Average Profile Study Shows Dealers Adjusting to Stay Ahead Tire Review’s annual Tire Dealer Profile Study provides an accurate snapshot of the "typical" tire dealer. This year’s 2000-2001 Dealer Profile Study, however, was expanded to include a more detailed look at today’s commercial tire dealer. While the clear majority of tire dealers are
State of The Union: Low Cost Radials, consolidations, Economy Hurting Retread Industry
State of The Union Low Cost Radials, consolidations, Economy Hurting Retread Industry Developing a forecast for the tire and retread industries for this year has been like trying to forecast the stock market. I can only hope that my industry forecast and report will be more accurate than my stock market judgments over the last
Getting in on the Wheel Deal
uncil (TMC) has an excellent publication titled "User’s Guide to Wheels and Rims" which is a compilation of the knowledge and experience of top industry suppliers and fleet maintenance personnel. The installation, inspection, and maintenance procedures for wheels, rims, and fastener components in this TMC Recommended Practice are readily available (phone 703-838-1763) and should be
There’s Bucks in LT/SUV Tire Balancing
Tire/wheel balancing is a service that most tire dealers offer because it helps tires ride smoother and last longer. It can also add some much-needed profit to your bottom line. Proper balance is especially important with light truck/SUV tires – especially LT-sized units ®€“ because of their larger diameter and heavier tread and casing. The
Does Anyone Know?: Has the LT/SUV Market Changed in the Post-Recall World?
Does Anyone Know? Has the LT/SUV Market Changed in the Post-Recall World? Not too long ago, the light truck/SUV market may have changed forever. Aug. 9, 2000, to be exact. It was a Wednesday, not unlike any other Wednesday. Except the firestorm that started that day has had a far-reaching – and still unclear ®“
In The Green: Lawn/Garden Tires Offer Dealers an Easy, Low Cost Way to Profit
In The Green Lawn/Garden Tires Offer Dealers an Easy, Low Cost Way to Profit With the official start of Spring 2001 only days away – except for you lucky ones in Florida, Hawaii and Southern California who enjoy great weather all year – the time is right to look at opportunities in lawn and garden
Make the Right Call: Selecting the Right Valve Stem Not as Easy as It Seems
Make the Right Call Selecting the Right Valve Stem Not as Easy as It Seems When tubeless tires first entered the commercial tire market years ago, technicians assumed that if the tubeless valve stem fit the hole in the wheel it was the right valve stem. Today, that assumption could lead to severe problems. Over