Retreading Maximizes CPM
Nowadays retread suppliersoften offer package deals.
Mark Putz
Associate Editor
Lowering cost per mile is the chief benefit of going through the rigamarole of retreading. It's easier to slap on a new set of tires than send your used tires in for retreading, but you'll be wasting money and valuable resources. According to the Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB), the cost of a retreaded tire will generally be 50% less than the cost of a new tire, depending on fleet size and maintenance costs associated with storage, downtime, etc. As for resources, new tires are made of 100% raw materials. So retreading saves rubber and oil, conserving hundreds of millions of gallons of oil every year.
An Update On The Basics
The first step is to spec tires from a manufacturer that touts its retreadability and offers a service to ease the process of tracking and exchanging worn tires. This is easy since all major tire manufacturers build good casings for retreadability, and many smaller companies offer services to smooth the retreading process.
The hard part is protecting the casing. Careless drivers can ruin tires with curb scrubs and dings, but overheating due to underinflation is the No. 1 killer of casings. Underinflation causes sidewall flexing, which weakens steel cords and generates heat. This prematurely ages tire casings. Make sure drivers understand this, and remind them that most of the gators seen on the road are from first-run tires - not retreads. Most fleet managers know this. But even knowledgeable truckers still harbor misconceptions regarding gators and retreads. Educate drivers so they understand the value of casings and retreading in general. Then drivers will hopefully protect casings by checking tire pressure and avoiding curb scrubs.
Not that casings are particularly fragile. In fact, they're tougher than ever. Advanced compounding has led to lower running temperatures, and high-strength belts enhance resistance to road damage.
The Process
So if you've been diligent about tire pressure and rotation, you're ready to reap your CPM savings reward by sending in your worn tires. Here's a tip: Pull your tires a bit early. Yes, it hurts to think about that usable tread being buffed away in the retread shop, but the shallower the tread gets, the more vulnerable the tire is to road hazards and punctures, which can render a tire unretreadable. Your tread-challenged casings represent approximately 70% of the cost of a new tire. Don't risk an expensive and time-consuming breakdown just to add a few extra miles onto your old tires.
Nowadays retread suppliers often offer package deals that provide pickup/delivery, mounting, road service and wheel refurbishing. Competition for your business is fierce, so you'll have the opportunity to inspect the retread plant and make sure it's equipped with the latest high-tech scanners (CAT or MRI). Check the plant's certification, and eyeball the workers, since their handiwork is crucial to the end-product.
If your maintenance software doesn't already feature tire tracking, check with your tire dealer for new programs that keep track of tires in general and retreading specifically. Some manufacturers now offer online services with retread data, giving you 24-hour access to retread statistics, repair records and purchase histories. But managing tires isn't rocket science. It means organizing them and storing them properly. All retread tires in the U.S. are identified on the sidewalls as to manufacturer and date of production, so line them up on a first-in, oldest-out basis. And store the tires vertically on their treads, out of the sun and away from corrosives. Remind personnel that these casings are each worth $60 to $80.
A Bright Future For Retreading
Advanced materials and tire construction have made retreading easier and even more cost effective. Retreads usually carry a warranty comparable to that of a new tire, and flexible turnaround times meet a fleet's needs. Meanwhile prices and quality have never been better. For an extensive database of retreading services, visit www.retread.org.
