This photo shows what happens when a tire is run flat. This tire actually came completely apart due to heat and fatigue.
Imagine that instead of driving the next 500 miles you had to walk it in ill-fitting shoes with holes and uneven soles that caused you pain every step of the way.
Now think of your tires as your rig’s shoes.
Of all the moving parts in your tractor and trailer, only your tires touch the road. So it just makes sense to ensure that the tires, and the wheels they’re mounted on, stay in good shape.
Changing a wheel or having a tire serviced sound simple, but they’re jobs that involve precision.
Changing a wheel on your truck can easily lead to a wheel off if you don’t know how to perform every step. Also, truck wheels can run almost forever, which means they are subject to deterioration. They need periodic inspection and must be replaced when damaged.
We visited the Wingfoot Commercial Tire Systems center in Levittown, Pa., where Jeff Moyer, the lead technician, showed us how wheels are changed and tires are serviced. Don Nelson, Wingfoot regional director, offered additional help and advice.
