Wide Base Tires Fleet Experiences

Background The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States.

NOT Super Singles

Feedback “4,400 on various applications” “2,000 on dollies” “17 units” “All our tractors” “1500 dollies” “150 single axle trailers”

New trucks = instant savings Air pressure maintenance –Easier to check one valve per wheel end –Drivers can visually see a low tire Tread wear per 32nds Equals or betters duals Advantages

Saves weight ( lbs) Fuel savings 2-3% (up to 25,000 miles annually Save 728 gal. per year. Save $3.00/gal Cooler brakes = longer brake life and better stopping. Less tires to maintain

Not a “Fits All” Wear depends on application –May not work for everyone Spread axle flat beds Dual use city / highway –Scrubbing in city driving

Not So Good 25% to 35% reduction in miles to removal Duals are 1 cent to 1.5 cents per mile costs with WBS you can see 4-5 cents per mile. Retreading –Scrap is 30% to 40% due to sidewall damage –Retread failure higher –Retread failure = higher vehicle damage

Non-Issues Field availability –Not an issue for member fleets –Road service repair seen as same –Worst case – substitute duals Inventory increase no longer an issue Re-treading seen up to 2x

Driver Feedback (+) Improved Ride / Handling / Feel Lower center of gravity for tankers Better traction –First units out when snow flies

Driver Feedback (+) Dolly maneuvering force reduction –Reduced injuries

Driver Feedback (-) Drivers concerned with running retreads when they only have one tire on a wheel end Some not convinced that rapid air loss is not a problem

Myths With a wide base tire, there’s nowhere for water to dissipate like there is between two duals. –Simply not true. On any tire, the water doesn’t dissipate around the shoulder; it comes out the back side of the tread. When I have a tire failure with a wide base tire, I’m out of service on the side of the road. With duals, I can limp in since I still have one tire holding up the axle end. –We’ve all been running only one tire on each end of the steer axle forever. It’s never a good idea to try and “limp in” with a flat and expect one tire to do the job of two.

Regulation Meets inch-width requirements nationwide for dual axles –17,500 lbs/axle 500lb/in-width May not comply with single axles Oregon - not allowed on triple trailers Florida - not allowed on single axle tandem trailers, working to change Idaho - updated regulations to allow Western Canada - have to change to duals

State Matrix

White Paper Summary of latest information Advantages and Disadvantages Fleet feedback Talking points for Members and ATA Staff Update semi annually

Conclusions Fuel (1%-8%) Application dependent Weight savings Handling More consistent air pressure Snow performance Not one size fits all Higher costs Treadlife Regulations Do the Math!

Monitoring ATA Engineering Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) Monitor and update

Thank you!