How Long Do Truck Tyres Last?

It’s a common question, and for good reason. Tyres play a crucial role in the safety of trucks, both for those in them and for those around them. That’s why we’re often asked, ‘How long do truck tyres last?’.

Unfortunately, there is no single answer to this question; many factors need to be considered when determining the longevity of truck tyres. All of these factors – which we’ll look at below – have an impact on tyre tread, wearing it down and reducing a tyre’s ability to disperse water and grip the road.

One thing is for sure, well maintained and high-quality truck tyres are the best safety feature a truck can have.

Sunshine Tyre Centre Has the Knowledge and the Tools

Why should you believe what we say? At Sunshine Tyre Centre, we’re committed to ensuring that every truck we service drives away on the safest and most capable tyres available.

We’ve invested in the best training and the latest cutting edge technology. Our workshop has been purposefully kitted out to service trucks, whether they’re in need of a wheel alignment, balance, or a new set of tyres altogether.

If you’re not sure what state your tyres are in or how many kilometres they’ve covered, give us a call and make an appointment. We’ll run a full analysis and let you know whether they’re still in good condition, need attention or need replacement. Whatever the case may be, you’ll drive away in a safer truck.

The Causes of Tyre Wear

Let’s take a look at the causes behind tread wear:

• The softness of the rubber (tyre compound)
• Tyre pressure (too low or too high wears tread faster)
• Road type (bitumen, gravel, quarry roads…)
• Driving habits (Aggressive driving habits wear tyres faster)
• Load weight (consistently heavier loads will wear tyres faster)
• Time (rubber naturally degrades with time, no matter how diligently it’s maintained)
• Sunlight (UV rays degrade rubber)

A Guide to How Long Truck Tyres Last

The biggest determining factor in a tyre’s lifespan is what it’s used for. In other words, will it be travelling along well-maintained highways for most of its life? Will it be travelling in and out of farms on small, unsealed roads? Will it spend its life on the rough roads of a quarry?

Below, we take a more detailed look at how long truck tyres last based on the types of roads and driving they’re exposed to.

Long Haul Truck Tyres

Rough roads, corners, curbs, braking and accelerating: these are the biggest culprits behind tread wear. Therefore, truck tyres that spend the majority of their life doing long haul runs on well-maintained highways will generally last a good length of time. What’s a good length of time? Around 150,000 kilometres before replacement or retreading.

Of course, ‘well-maintained’ highways is a key part of this equation. Many highways out there have stretches of crumbling and potholed bitumen, which takes its toll on a tyre’s lifespan.

Heavy Haulage

How long tyres last for heavy haulage is a difficult one to answer. All tyres have a load capacity, so the heavier the haul, the more tyres required. In other words, long haul tyres could bear as much weight as tyres on heavy hauls, simply because there are fewer of them.

What really matters is the environment. If truck tyres are constantly at max load and undergoing a lot of braking, accelerating and steering, they will wear out faster.

Short-haul Truck Tyres

Anyone who lives in the city knows the huge variation in road quality that drivers deal with. Yes, there are stretches of pristine bitumen, but there are also countless potholes and sharp curb sides. Add to this the constant braking, accelerating and steering, and you have an environment that’s pretty rough on truck tyres.

Short haul truck tyres generally have a reduced lifespan to that of long haulers. Instead of 150,000 kilometres, it’s more like 50,000 to 80,000 kilometres.

Don’t Hesitate to Get in Touch With Our Team

Truck tyres need to be properly maintained to ensure your safety as well as the safety of other drivers and pedestrians. Blow outs can lead to catastrophe, and are commonly the result of tyres that were too old, too worn, damaged or not inflated correctly. Aside from that, degraded tyres reduce fuel efficiency. While new tyres do come with a price tag, it’s always less than dealing with the damage old tyres can cause. Don’t take the risk. Get in touch with Sunshine Tyre Centre team today and we’ll make sure your tyres are up to the job.