If a company owns one or a fleet of bucket trucks, they are possibly the best operations asset that a company can ever own. Like any other commercial vehicle, buying commercial tires can really cost any company a considerable amount of money. Yet the benefit of getting brand name and quality wheels can far outweigh the cash invested. In other words, getting quality tires could eventually give a company more value for its money in the long run.

There numerous kinds and brands of tires available in stores. There are some things that need to be considered before getting such an item for bucket trucks. Shopping can be done either online or shop in a store’s physical location. One needs to know the right size and the right kind of tires for the vehicle. A buyer should also know which ones need to be replaced, the drive or the steer wheels. Resolving these issues before shopping will save both time and effort. Following is some important information about buying commercial truck tires.

• Get the exact details needed. Generally, on the outside of the wall can be found all the information needed for the wheel that is to be replaced, including information about the width, aspect ratio, and the type needed. There are two basic types of truck tires, cross-ply (bias-ply) and radial. The radial design is for automotive use and the fibers inside the wheel are threaded 90 degrees sideways. They are designed this way to reduce the rolling friction. These offer so many advantages they have basically become the standard design of tires today.

• Know the thread designs. Thread designs differ depending on the purpose and usage of the truck. The Rubber Manufacturer Association (RMA) has set guidelines for threads designed for both mud and snow and usually have M+S, M/S M&S or just the plain MS marked on the wall. Otherwise, there are designs that help avoid hydroplaning and threads designed to minimize wind resistance along with other thread designs that meet the customer’s trucking needs.

• Be determined to get quality tires. These are expensive yet can ultimately save time because they will last longer as they are designed for more mileage compared to their cheaper counterparts. Better quality wheels save money in the long run since they give the truck a smoother ride over the roads with less acceleration, thus having the potential to save the company a considerable amount of money due to a lower fuel cost.

• Decide to replace both pairs of wheels to have a balanced tractor-trailer. If the decision is to only replace one set of tires on only one side of the vehicle, bear in mind that the old ones not being replaced will already have lost rubber leaving them thinner when compared to the new ones. The truck may get slightly off balance since the new tire is thicker than the old one, especially when the vehicle is loaded with heavy payloads.

• Great deals for quality wheels are readily available online. Major companies have websites for viewing their goods online where semi-truck tires can be purchased. By being able to browse and match the model of the truck, this can make the shopping easier and more convenient.

• Shopping at a local store for vehicle parts has the advantage of personally seeing the tires and getting first-hand information from a sales representative who can further explain to you the benefits of what best suits the needs of a particular truck.

Lastly, successfully acquiring more costly commercial vehicle tires may cause a company to spend more money initially; yet the eventual outcome of long-term savings will surely make that initial cash payment well worth the investment. Getting the best quality wheels for your bucket truck means greater savings and may increase your company’s long-term profitability!