Most likely, you’re used to driving on dual wheels for your truck and trailers. It’s pretty common after all, and you may have never had a reason to consider using wide-base tires. However, you may be missing out on some major benefits of this type of tire.

Before you make the switch to wide-base tires, it’s important to do your research. You may have to make adjustments to your axle or choose trucks that can allow for them.

If you’re looking to learn more about whether super-wide truck tires are right for you, keep reading. We’ve listed the benefits and drawbacks of wide-base tires so you can make an educated decision for your fleet.

Benefits of wide base tires

Super wide truck tires can be great for fleets that want a higher payload or need to improve their truck stability. Some of the perks of wide-base tires include:

• Decreased weight. With wide base tires, you’ll see the weight of your truck decrease by 70+ pounds per tire. This can be a huge difference when it comes to pulling in at a weigh station, allowing you to hold more cargo at a safe weight. Decreased weight contributes to fuel savings too, putting more money back into your pocketbook.
• Quicker maintenance.The more tires you have, the more time you’ll be spending to maintenance each one. Having fewer tires means less time checking pressure and getting rotations done.
• Improved handling. Wide-base tires allow for a smoother drive, with less traction and a lower center of gravity making it more stable. Trucks are far less likely to roll with wide-base tires than with dual tires.

Potential drawbacks of wide-base tires

While there are many good reasons to switch to wide-base tires, there are some factors you should consider first:

• Reliance on tires. Unlike dual tires, if you experience a blowout or flat, you can’t just keep going and limp home. Trouble with a tire can be detrimental and can leave you stuck on the side of the road. Maintenance must be performed regularly to prevent issues with your tires, and you should have a plan in place for if you experience a breakdown
• Issues with treads. Retreading tires is a great way to extend their life, but wide base tires typically get fewer retreads due to the amount of wear and tear they take while on the road. Taking good care of your tires through regular maintenance can help to prolong the life of your tires.
• Increased tire weight. Though wide base tires decrease weight on the truck as a whole, since a single tire is performing the work of two tires, the tire itself weighs more. This can be slightly problematic when performing maintenance, as you may need multiple people to work to move a tire. Plan ahead when getting maintenance and be aware of how much help will be needed to move your tires.

Interested in making the change to wide-base tires for your fleet? Contact us at Pedigree Truck and Trailer Sales.

Our wide selection of quality semi-trucks and semi-trailers offers dual tire and wide base tire options for your fleet. Our inventory includes trucks from top brands like Freightliner, while our inventory of trailers consists of a variety of different trailer types, including reefers, flatbeds, and tankers.