Trucks are among the largest vehicles plying on roads, weighing around 80,000 pounds and transporting heavy loads and potentially hazardous cargo. They often travel long distances and navigate through bad weather conditions along their route, putting the driver and cargo at risk of injury and damage. One way to prevent mishaps is to use good quality truck tires. Here are a few crucial factors to consider while buying tires for trucks.

Type of terrain
Tires for commercial trucks are usually designed considering the terrain on which they will be used. For instance, while some tires are manufactured for smooth highways, others are built for rough urban routes. If you use tires designed for the highways on rocky urban terrain, their tread might scrape off sooner, demanding a change. So, always consider your most frequented routes when buying tires to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Weight rating
This is one of the most simple yet important factors to consider when buying truck tires. A tire’s weight or load rating, typically found on the sidewall, indicates the maximum weight it can bear when inflated to its highest pressure. Always pay special attention to this rating and ensure it is compatible with your truck and the load.

Warranty
Like other products in the market, tires come with a warranty. It can save you from paying extra to fix manufacturing defects or other problems within the set timeframe. Most major manufacturers provide a warranty period of seven years and three retreads. This period can differ based on the company you choose. So, always inquire about the truck tires’ warranty before selecting a product to avoid additional expenses.

Manufacture date
Another critical factor to consider when buying truck tires is their manufacture date. This date is usually found on the tire in the form of four digits. The first two indicate the week it was manufactured, and the other two represent the year. Remember that truck tires older than five years are more susceptible to defects and tears. On the other hand, those built within the last five years are less likely to have problems and guarantee increased safety while on the road. Do not buy tires with a missing manufacture date or with a date that is not clearly printed.

Tread size or depth
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the minimum tread size for tires on the front wheels is 4/32 of an inch. The other tires of the truck can have a tread depth of 2/32 inches. If the depth is less than this, it can result in penalties. So, conduct a tread depth inspection before finalizing the purchase. Tires with the right tread size provide sufficient grip on the road, lowering the chances of accidents.

Maintenance records
Many truckers buy used tires as they provide substantial cost savings. When buying used tires, thoroughly inspect the previous owner’s maintenance records. A clean record will ensure the tires are in good condition and can be used to haul heavy loads on the road. Besides checking the maintenance records thoroughly, look for visible signs of defects like nail marks and deep scratches. These issues indicate the tires will not last long and must be avoided at all costs.

Types of tires
There are different types of truck tires in the market, such as max traction, all-terrain, highway, winter, and mud tires. Choose a suitable type depending on your type of truck, the terrain you drive on, and the weather conditions on your route. Consider all-terrain truck tires if you travel through different terrains and often encounter challenging conditions. They will help you transition from one terrain to another with ease.

Tire quality
When investing in commercial truck tires, assess their durability. Tires with soft rubber compounds provide a smooth driving experience but are more prone to wear and tear and do not prove fuel efficient. Buying such tires will require you to spend a lot of money to make the best use of them in the long run. Similarly, tires with harder compounds may have problems with traction while driving in extreme conditions. So, conduct thorough research according to your needs and wants to make an informed decision.

DOT and UTQG rating
In addition to the above, check whether the tires have the DOT (Department of Transportation) code. All you have to do is look for “DOT” printed on the sidewall. Some tires also have a UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grade) code, which provides information about their traction and temperature grades.

These are some of the most important factors that should influence your decision when choosing truck tires. To make the best purchase, consider all your options and needs before heading to the store. Also, think about whether you should stick to your previous tire model or opt for a new company depending on your experience. You might want to look at options that increase fuel economy and provide low rolling resistance. While the best products can be expensive, they use quality materials and meet all the safety standards to keep you and your cargo safe during the journey.

While buying a vehicle can be exhilarating, renting a vehicle is often more convenient and affordable. Car rentals offer flexibility to travelers and provide them with a cost-effective means of commute and travel. For such reasons, the car-rental industry in the country earned a revenue of $28.1 billion in 2021. Car renting has become an incredibly easy process, but it can be further enhanced by avoiding a few common car-renting mistakes:

Relying on the rental company to pay tolls
Although many car-rental companies have schemes through which they pay tolls for their clients, most of these companies charge anywhere up to $10 as administrative fees plus the toll amount. Thus, while driving a rented car, it is essential to close the toll transponder in the car and pay for tolls through online payment gateways or cash at the toll booth.

Pre-purchasing a full tank of gas
Often, rental companies provide clients with the option of pre-purchasing gas, i.e., getting the entire gas tank filled, so that clients need not refuel the car before they return it. However, in most cases, if the full tank is not used, clients are not paid for the residual fuel. A cost-saving strategy is to avoid pre-purchasing gas and refueling the car before returning it.

Buying rental insurance without checking one’s credit card
Most car rental companies offer rental car insurance to their clients for financial reimbursement of any damages. But this rental car insurance can often cost the driver anywhere up to $25 per day, which is quite expensive. Individuals whose auto insurance covers rental cars need not take any further steps to get insured. The good news is that even those without auto insurance do not have to buy rental car insurance if their credit cards offer insurance on car rentals. Many credit card companies provide such insurance at no additional charges. Hence, before renting a car, it is a good idea to check out if one’s credit card offers such benefits. One must also contact the credit card company to understand what aspects are covered in the policy. Temporary car insurance is the next best alternative.

Not knowing about higher fees charged from young drivers
Rental car companies typically levy exorbitant daily fees for young drivers renting their cars. This increased amount is owing to the driver’s inexperience. A cost-effective solution is to refrain from driving if one is below 21 years of age. Instead, renters may look for family members or friends who are over the age of 21, are licensed drivers, and are willing to accompany them to the destination.

Not checking the car thoroughly before the journey
An essential step before starting one’s journey on a rented car is to check the car thoroughly, inspecting it for any existing damages. Further, clients must take pictures of any such damages and report them promptly to the company to avoid being charged for the same. The car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) can also provide information on the car and model, helping individuals ensure that they have been provided with the model they had paid for, equipped with all the features.

Failing to refuel the car before returning it
Returning a rented car with a half-filled or empty tank can warrant extra charges, which are higher than the expenses one would incur for refueling the car. Hence, it is essential to return the car with a full tank to avoid such penalties.

Not checking discount codes
Another common car-renting mistake is to forget checking out the available discount codes. Discount codes available for specific car-rental companies can help clients save considerable amounts on their rents. Individuals who are members of specific organizations, such as AAA, can also avail of discounts on car rentals.

Driving on unpaved roads
Most car rental companies expect their clients to drive only on properly paved roads. This is because the risk of meeting with accidents is higher on unpaved paths. Moreover, car rental and auto insurance policies typically do not reimburse policyholders who have suffered injuries or incurred damages while driving on unpaved roads. It is always better to stick to the conventional route when driving a rented car.

Renting a car at an airport terminal
Surcharges apply for renting cars at airport terminals. Most rental companies pay these additional charges to the airport and demand the amount from their clients. Hence, clients cannot get away from paying these surcharges if they rent cars at airport terminals. However, the most cost-saving alternative is to rent a car outside the airport, using the airport’s shuttle service to commute within the premises.

Not adhering to parking regulations
Parking at a “No Parking” zone or breaking other basic parking regulations can cause one to incur hefty fines. It is best to understand the parking regulations in the destination city or town to which one is headed and follow traffic and parking signs along the way.

Failing to return the car on time
Car-rental companies levy delay charges for returning the car late unless the driver has a genuine reason and the delay was not in the client’s control. It is best to avoid meandering from the original plan and returning the car immediately upon completing one’s journey.