FAQ: Where Are Drive And Steer Tires On A Tractor Trailer?

Where are steer tires located on a truck?

Retreading your original steer tires can also significantly increase their wear time. Semi Trucks use steer, drive, and trailer tires. Get help finding the right tire from your local dealer. Steer tires are located on a truck’s front axle and control the vehicle’s turning.

Which tires are drive tires on semi?

Steer tires for semi -trucks are considered the most important tire position on a commercial truck. They’re sometimes generally known as all-position tires because they’re designed for the steer axle, but also perform well on drive and trailer axles.

Where is the steer axle on a trailer?

Position 1: Your steer axle should be positioned on platform 1 and your drive axle on platform 2. Position 2: The trailer axle of your first trailer would be on platform 1, front axle on your second trailer should on platform 2 and rear axle of your second trailer on platform 3.

What are the best steer tires?

The 10 Best Semi-Truck Tires Available in 2021

• Michelin Commercial Tires.
• Bridgestone Commercial Tires.
• Continental Truck Tires.
• Pirelli Commercial Tires.
• Goodyear Commercial Tires.
• Cooper Roadmaster Tires.
• Yokohama Commercial Tires.
• BFGoodrich Truck Tires.

Can drive tires be used as steer tires?

All position tires are just what the name implies, these can be used with good results in steer, drive or trailer positions.

How many miles do semi truck tires last?

All the turning and engine power they’re subjected to means they usually have to be replaced around 150,000 miles, which is anywhere from a year to a year-and-a-half of operation. Drive tires can last longer, 350,000 to 500,000 miles, because they don’t deal with all the turning stress.

What is the minimum tread depth for semi tires?

These same rules apply to drive and trailer tires, but the minimum tread depth is 2/32 of an inch in every major groove. It’s also important to note that the tread depth measurements cannot be taken at the wear indicators or stone ejectors in the grooves.

What is the most common semi truck tire size?

Common sizes are 19.5, 22.5 and 24.5 inches. Truck wheels also come in several widths; a tire size chart should be consulted to match the tire size and wheel width.

How much weight can be on the steer axle?

Regular Operations

Single Axle	20,000 lbs.
Tandem Axle	34,000 lbs.
Tridem Axle	50,000*
Gross Weight	Per State weight table 80,000 lbs.
Other	Steering axle 20,000 lbs.** Tandem-steer axle 24,000 lbs

What is the max weight on the drive axle and trailer axle?

In addition to Bridge Formula weight limits, Federal law states that single axles are limited to 20,000 pounds, and axles spaced more than 40 inches and not more than 96 inches apart (tandem axles ) are limited to 34,000 pounds. Gross vehicle weight is limited to 80,000 pounds (23 U.S.C. 127).

How much weight can you have on your trailer axle?

In cases where the trailer axles are 10′ 2” apart each axle can weigh 20,000 pounds on the scales allowing for the trailer axles to weigh a total of 40,000 pounds compared to 34,000 pounds for closed tandem axles.

What causes uneven wear on steer tires?

Faulty shocks, loose/ worn wheel bearings, severe balance issues, mismatched pressures or tire diameters, excessive high speed empty operation. Check for mechanical issue, check air pressure. Disposition Continue to run or retread.

What causes steer tires to cup?

Cupping results from an up-and-down motion affecting the tire and its contact with the road surface. This type of wear usually shows up on the steer and trailer tires and appears as a series of high and low spots around the tire’s tread surface.

What causes high and low spots on tires?

If the tires are “cupped” or have high and low spots (particularly on the outer areas), that is a possible indication that the tires may need to be rotated more frequently, the shocks or struts are worn, the tires are out of balance, or unusual road conditions or driving habits are present.