Bummer today, sort of. With 108,000 miles on our truck, we replaced our first set of steer tires. While the treads had 8/32" remaining, cupping had begun. Knowing the tires had only more cupping to look forward to, and being serious about keeping our truck in tip-top condition, we replaced old with new.
When we purchased the truck in June, 2006, I seriously considered putting Centramatics on then. I chose not to, thinking the high quality tires (Michelin) and 14,600 lbs front-axle rating, combined with diligent tire care would render Centramatics unecessary.
(For those who do not know, Centramatic is a product. It is is an on-board wheel balancing system. The manufacturer claims it extends tire life. See: http://www.centramatic.com . Drivers often say Centramatics because the devices are installed in pairs.)
I hated to see tires with decent tread depth remaining come off the truck. We could have driven several thousand more miles on them but chose not to. The cupping would only grow worse and the vibration would put additional stress on all front suspension components.
I like to think I did everything right with the tires. Shortly after we bought the truck, we had the alignment checked. Tow adjustments were made. Everything else checked out ok. The wheels were balanced on the truck at the same time. Wheel alignment was checked again at a later date with no adjustments needed. Tire pressure was carefully monitored and continually maintained with an air hose and gladhand we have on the truck.
Still, just this morning, on a pre-trip inspection, I noticed cupping starting to occur. Bummer! Off to the tire shop we go. While it is not unheard of to replace steer tires with 108,000 miles on them, I was hoping to do better.
With the benefit of hindsight, it may have paid to have had the tires balanced twice in nine months instead of once. But who wants to run to a tire shop two or three times a year for wheel balancing? Not me, and I don't know anyone else that does either.
We now have a new set of Michelin steer tires and Centramatics too. Time will tell if Centramatics live up to their claims. It will be a good experiment; same truck, same brand tire, same co-drivers, same freight, and a 108,000 mile, 8/32" base line to compare. When the odometer hits 216,000 we'll have an interesting comparison to make and results to report.
I'm curious to know what experience with Centamatics other expediters have had, and what opinions they have to share.
When we purchased the truck in June, 2006, I seriously considered putting Centramatics on then. I chose not to, thinking the high quality tires (Michelin) and 14,600 lbs front-axle rating, combined with diligent tire care would render Centramatics unecessary.
(For those who do not know, Centramatic is a product. It is is an on-board wheel balancing system. The manufacturer claims it extends tire life. See: http://www.centramatic.com . Drivers often say Centramatics because the devices are installed in pairs.)
I hated to see tires with decent tread depth remaining come off the truck. We could have driven several thousand more miles on them but chose not to. The cupping would only grow worse and the vibration would put additional stress on all front suspension components.
I like to think I did everything right with the tires. Shortly after we bought the truck, we had the alignment checked. Tow adjustments were made. Everything else checked out ok. The wheels were balanced on the truck at the same time. Wheel alignment was checked again at a later date with no adjustments needed. Tire pressure was carefully monitored and continually maintained with an air hose and gladhand we have on the truck.
Still, just this morning, on a pre-trip inspection, I noticed cupping starting to occur. Bummer! Off to the tire shop we go. While it is not unheard of to replace steer tires with 108,000 miles on them, I was hoping to do better.
With the benefit of hindsight, it may have paid to have had the tires balanced twice in nine months instead of once. But who wants to run to a tire shop two or three times a year for wheel balancing? Not me, and I don't know anyone else that does either.
We now have a new set of Michelin steer tires and Centramatics too. Time will tell if Centramatics live up to their claims. It will be a good experiment; same truck, same brand tire, same co-drivers, same freight, and a 108,000 mile, 8/32" base line to compare. When the odometer hits 216,000 we'll have an interesting comparison to make and results to report.
I'm curious to know what experience with Centamatics other expediters have had, and what opinions they have to share.
