MISSION CRITICAL: STEER TIRES LEAD THE WAY

When it comes to the long-haul steer application, fleets and owner/operators have a short, relatively simple, but critical list of demands that are not up for debate.

By the very nature of their job, commercial truck tires are the true workhorses of the tire industry. They keep our nation’s fleet of trucks up and running. 

They keep our economy moving forward, supply chains functioning properly, and store shelves stocked with the things that we need and want. And while our nation and the broader world is still battling and containing the coronavirus, the role of commercial truck tires in supporting our nation and its economy has become absolutely paramount.

That’s where we come in. That’s the tire industry’s role. And that’s precisely why our business is critical and essential, especially right now.

Time, Attention and Trust

Today, we invest our time delving into the world of steer tires because time, attention and trust are at an all-time premium. We, as tire industry professionals, expect a lot from a tire, as we should. That is especially true of commercial truck tires. And remarkably accurate of the expectations we place on the steer tire position in particular.

Whereas a typical dual-tire setup pairs two drive or trailer tires together to shoulder the burden of the heavy load, steer tires stand alone. The steer position is absolutely mission critical when it comes to keeping trucks on the road, freight moving and essential supply chains functioning properly.

According to Bridgestone’s Kyle Chen, “although the steer position does not contribute the greatest to fuel efficiency when compared to the drive or trailer positions, tires in the steer position wear the fastest and must be replaced more often, which also means that steer tires play a crucial role in driver safety.”

As the popular saying goes, “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” And when it comes to steer tires, I’m not so sure any of us can afford to cut any corners here. Commercial truck tires are an investment, and that’s especially true of the steer tire position.