Fix Dry Rot Truck Tyres 10 Ideas for Better Tyre Lifespan
Truck tires are created to be durable in harsh conditions and to endure substantial loads. But even the toughest tires can experience damage due to dry rot. For those who don’t know, dry rot in a truck tire is the commonest yet most overlooked issue. As time progresses, the rubber in your truck's tires will dry out, crack, and begin to deteriorate significantly when it is exposed to vividly harmful environmental factors such as heat, exposure to UV rays, and the natural process of aging.
That’s why Amigo Tyres - trusted for truck tires fitting in Rocklea - decided to write an extensive guide on how to fix dry rot truck tires.
Fixing Dry Rot in Truck Tyres
Let’s start with the best technique to counter the plague of dry rot in truck tyres:
Inspect Your Tires Regularly
One of the first steps you will have to take when dealing with dry rot truck tires is to inspect them at intervals. Inspect for cracks, splitting, or visible indications around the sidewalls, which are most vulnerable to the effect of dry rot. Dry rot can be treated if caught in good time, thus saving from spending a lot on repairs. Such conditions also would prevent you from any accidents on the road. When you see substantial cracks and damage, it needs fixing right away.
Replace Tires with Extensive Dry Rot
When it comes to the extreme cases of dry rot in your truck tires (deep cracks, visible steel belts, exposed wires, etc), the best thing might be to replace it. In many of the cases of major dry rot, repair will only be a stopgap, and it turns out that the tire has to be completely replaced because the dry rot appears on the full depth of a small patch. Driving with rottener tires is just risky since it increases the chance of tire bursting.
Check for Tire Aging
All tires age out with time; dry rot usually happens to tires in advanced age. Average shelf life on truck tires is between six and ten years from the date manufactured, depending upon how well these are maintained. Whenever your tires age out, it is time to start checking on what condition they're left in and even replace them right before dry rot sets in.
Monitor Tire Pressure Regularly
Proper tire pressure also prevents dry rot, which is important for the longevity of your truck tyres. When the tyres are under-inflated, friction and heat increases, increasing the probability of dry rot. So, checking the tire pressure frequently and maintaining it at the required level will help prevent this and prolong the life of your truck wheels.
Store Tyres Properly
Here comes another most crucial tip to prevent truck tyres from dry rot. If a truck won’t be driven for an extended period, ensure that it is placed in a cool and dry place without direct sunlight exposure. UV rays and excessive heat cause dry rot quickly. If you are going to leave your truck in the parking for a long time, you should consider getting some tyre covers or garage storage to shield them from the elements.
A tire conditioner helps to revive and maintain the rubber, hence preventing the dry rot from advancing. Tire conditioners are created with a nutritional ingredient that improves the flexibility and durability of rubber. This way, regular application helps minimize dry rot occurrences even further, depending on how exposed your truck is to harsh weather.
Avoid Prolonged Sun Exposure
UV exposure is one of the major causes of dry rot in truck tyres. The longer the tyre gets exposed to direct sunlight, the more it is prone to breakage and cracks. Hence, Amigo Tyres recommended parking your trucks in the shade or using tire covers. This one step can keep your truck tires far from dry rot.
Rotate Your Tires Regularly
Truck tire rotation ensures equal wear across all yires. It means that dry rot may not affect any specific areas in a tyre due to regular tire rotation. This also implies that rotating tires helps to extend the lifespan of a tyre by preceding the localized dry rot.
Get Professional Inspections
In case you are not sure about the truck tyre condition, just get your truck tires checked up on by an expert. Professionals can easily spot signs of dry rot early and would recommend what could be done about it or ways to prevent any further damage from occurring. Through regular professional truck tire inspection, any possible defects are detected beforehand, and something is done right away.
Keep Your Tyres Clean
For those who don't know, rubber often deteriorates with dirt, oil, and other impurities. So, keeping the truck tyres clean will also guarantee the maintenance of their integrity. They can be cleaned by mild soap dissolved in water and any buildup removed. Keeping them clean may also prevent materials from piling up that may lead to dry rot.
Fix Dry Rot in Truck Tyres with Amigo Tyres
Above are the tips to prevent or fix dry rot truck tyres. By taking these 10 tips and recommendations into consideration, truck drivers and fleet owners can easily extend the lifespan of truck tyres and avoid costly replacements.
However, remember, if the dry rot has already affected the truck tyre deply, it is always recommended to get your truck tires replaced from an experienced truck repair professional.
Amigo Tyres is a Rocklea based store that supports truckers, families, and businesses with truck tyre replacement, repair, and mobile services.
Still got any queries to ask? Contact us today to have them answered by our tyre experts!