There’s a learning curve with any new job, including commercial driving. Even the most experienced truck driver makes mistakes, so it’s not unusual if you’re a newbie.  #1 Rushing Trip Preparations Establishing a routine that includes completing required inspections, mapping your route and securing a load is a must. Hurrying through preparations can lead to mistakes, such as forgetting paperwork or missing a step in your pre-trip inspection. Restock supplies between drives so you have the professional and personal items you need on the road.  #2 Ignoring Safety Protocols Following sa ..read more

Finding a reliable commercial tire dealer is important for any business owner. A reliable dealer can provide quality products and services that will keep your business running smoothly. However, finding one can be a challenge.  Read on to learn how to choose a reliable commercial tire dealer, so you can keep your business running smoothly. 4 Steps to Choose a Reliable Commercial Dealer 1. Do Some Research About the Company When you look for a reliable commercial tire dealer, it is important to do some research about the company. This includes finding out how long they have been in busines ..read more

Not all retread tires are created equal. At Bauer Built, we specialize in producing high-quality retread tires for commercial fleets. Our retread plants are part of Michelin’s service network, a certified group of retread dealers committed to excellence in production and customer service. The Advantages of Using Commercial Retread Tires According to the Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB), about 90% of fleets with 1,000 or more vehicles use retread tires. They’re suitable for medium and heavy-duty fleets, such as buses, private and municipal waste transport vehicles, food and beverage haule ..read more

Almost 300 million scrap tires are discarded in the United States every year. Like fuel emissions, discarded tires negatively impact the environment. However, the rubber and plastic components in tires are recyclable and can be repurposed. Protect the Environment Whole and scrap tires take up landfill space due to their shape. Stockpiled tires also pose combustion risks due to heat retention, surface exposure and airflow. Tire-fueled fires can burn for long periods, releasing toxic fumes into the atmosphere. Buried tires also trap gases like methane. The pressure can break through a landfill’s ..read more

All-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes will help you stay safer while driving in the snow, but those mechanisms don’t create traction; your tires do. That’s why it’s a good idea to invest in quality snow tires or winter tires before you find yourself in a snowdrift or skidding on black ice. Comparing Snow Tires and All-Weather Tires Those terms are sometimes confused, but they’re distinct kinds of tires with different features. Snow tires: As the name implies, snow tires are intended to support safe driving in harsh, snowy conditions. They have a blocky tread designed to push away snow, ice, slu ..read more

There are different types of tractor tires on the market, which means that it’s important to know which one fits your tractor and your needs the best. When choosing tractor tires, you need to consider the size of your tractor, the weight it will be carrying, and the type of terrain you’ll be using it on. This way, you can get the tractor tire that offers the best traction, stability, and comfort for your needs. The Three Types of Tractor Tires The three types of tractor tires that tractor owners can choose from include the following: 1. Agricultural Tractor Tires Agricultural tractor tires are ..read more

Your tires take a beating and replacing them frequently can get expensive. That’s why it’s important to have your tires rotated and balanced as part of a preventative maintenance schedule. What’s the Difference Between a Tire Rotation and Balance? Tire rotation: Your tires are removed and replaced in a specific pattern during a rotation. Tires are usually rotated front to back and left to right. Tire balance: A mechanic will remove your tires and place them on a spinning machine to check their balance. Small metal weights are attached to the tire’s rim to distribute its mass until the tire rot ..read more

Are you considering a career as a commercial truck driver? It’s a rewarding job that offers independence and financial benefits. Like any job, there’s a learning curve and aspects that require adaptation. Here are ten tips to remember that will help you become a successful commercial truck driver. Inspect your truck before each trip. Taking time to conduct a pre-trip inspection helps you spot issues before they before a problem on the road. Catching mechanical problems early will reduce the likelihood of a breakdown and can help save you money on repairs. Pre-trip inspections are also require ..read more

As a fleet owner or manager, you are always looking for ways to minimize costs and boost the bottom line. Fleets confront a variety of issues, including improving driver performance, reducing fuel expenses, and avoiding downtime while maintaining a competitive edge in the marketplace. Tires are among the most important factors in enhancing fleet performance. They account for a quarter to a third of a truck’s overall rolling resistance. And when a vehicle has lower rolling resistance, it uses less fuel. Here, we discuss the importance of tires when it comes to improving a fleet’s fuel mileage ..read more

Most tire problems are caused by a lack of consistent care. Regular maintenance checks can extend the life of your tires and help you spot cracks, bulges and low tread before they become costly and dangerous. Here are five tire problems to be mindful of during routine checks. #1 Bald Tires Driving on bald tires increases your risk of sliding during braking, especially on a wet road. They’re also more susceptible to punctures because the low tread exposes more of the tire’s surface to debris. The loss of tire tread is accelerated by underinflation, infrequent tire rotation and heavy braking, so ..read more