Treadwright tires
Veteran/Sheepdog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
The most important thing with retreads is how good is the casing? (original tire) Back when I did a lot of tire work on semi's most retread failures came from the casing having rust in the belts. They have come a long ways in finding those issues in retread tires today. That said, I would not put them on the steer axle either. I know with semi trucks, that may be illegal in some states. Something to look for, on a tire, there is a DOT number, which includes the date. The last 2 digits are the year. Also, when they are recapped, the re-capper has to mark the tire too. Likewise, the last 2 digits indicate the year it was recapped.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,006
Likes: 1
From: AL, Reform
i have never run TW, it is just other retreads that i have seen.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
I used to do a lot of work on garbage trucks, and I have seen some tires re-capped 4 times. There are different ways to re-cap a tire too. From what I read off of Treadwrights website, they do a hot cap. That is, they mold the rubber to the tire using heat and a chemical adhesive, then they put the tire in a mold and heat the rubber up to make the tread pattern. The other method I'm familiar with is they have the tread already made in big rolls, and they cut the piece they need for each tire and basically glue it to the tire. Heat is also used in this process, just not as much. Nothing wrong with either method, both have their advantages and disadvantages. As I said before, the main thing to look for is how good is the original casing before they start.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
I have done a LOT of research on this including talking to a couple of people from Treadwright. Their process is state of the art and they have a set inspection process for casings as well. I have even messaged people on their FB page to get their honest opinions. When the time comes I will be buying the 7 tires for my dually via them without hesitation.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 609
Likes: 0
Drive tires have different requirements, and recaps are allowed.
The hours of service and log book rules apply as well if a light truck is used for commercial purposes.
The truck in my sig was used by me as a commercial truck for a short time.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
To make it perfectly clear, The Federal DOT has a rule that it is illegal to use recaps of any kind on the steer tires of any DOT inspected truck. This includes any light trucks used for commercial purposes. Pickups are considered (for this rule) to be light trucks. Not just semi trucks.
Drive tires have different requirements, and recaps are allowed.
The hours of service and log book rules apply as well if a light truck is used for commercial purposes.
The truck in my sig was used by me as a commercial truck for a short time.
Drive tires have different requirements, and recaps are allowed.
The hours of service and log book rules apply as well if a light truck is used for commercial purposes.
The truck in my sig was used by me as a commercial truck for a short time.
Please provide chapter and verse for your claim.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
Tires. - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
So for 3/4 and 1 ton trucks, recaps on the steer axle aren't an issue. But, bigger trucks, pretty much anything with front axles rated over about 9,000lbs, it is illegal.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Pay particular attention to D and E.
Tires. - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
So for 3/4 and 1 ton trucks, recaps on the steer axle aren't an issue. But, bigger trucks, pretty much anything with front axles rated over about 9,000lbs, it is illegal.
Tires. - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
So for 3/4 and 1 ton trucks, recaps on the steer axle aren't an issue. But, bigger trucks, pretty much anything with front axles rated over about 9,000lbs, it is illegal.
(d) No bus shall be operated with regrooved, recapped or retreaded tires on the front wheels.
(e) A regrooved tire with a load-carrying capacity equal to or greater than 2,232 kg (4,920 pounds) shall not be used on the front wheels of any truck or truck tractor.
(e) A regrooved tire with a load-carrying capacity equal to or greater than 2,232 kg (4,920 pounds) shall not be used on the front wheels of any truck or truck tractor.
Sub-section (e) is in regards to a regrooved tire which is not a retread.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 609
Likes: 0
I guess I was wrong. A regrooved tire is not a retread, according to definitions I found.
I would not put a retread on a commercial truck, the liability is too high.
However, on a personal vehicle, I see no issues.
I would not put a retread on a commercial truck, the liability is too high.
However, on a personal vehicle, I see no issues.
Veteran/Sheepdog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
These just became available today from Treadwright:
https://www.treadwright.com/p-119-26...b2b-e-m-t.aspx
I'm drooling on my computer...
https://www.treadwright.com/p-119-26...b2b-e-m-t.aspx
I'm drooling on my computer...
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 974
Likes: 11
Resurrecting an old thread...
bossgobbler: How are the TW tires treating you? Any problems whatsoever? Did you put a full set of 4 on your truck?
bossgobbler: How are the TW tires treating you? Any problems whatsoever? Did you put a full set of 4 on your truck?
I went ahead and pulled the trigger on these:
https://www.treadwright.com/p-95-285...one-m-t-e.aspx
For $650 shipped to my door, that's pretty hard to beat and they do seem to get great reviews from people running them.
I'll update this post occasionally after I run them for a while.
https://www.treadwright.com/p-95-285...one-m-t-e.aspx
For $650 shipped to my door, that's pretty hard to beat and they do seem to get great reviews from people running them.
I'll update this post occasionally after I run them for a while.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
From: Eastern Ohio
I have looked at these tires a few different times and always come to the same conclusion, they are overpriced. I have always found comparable new tires locally or online for the same price or less.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,392
Likes: 0
From: NW Arkansas
Which one of your guys that are complaining about retreads on steer tires work there truck???
If you DD your truck then run them. We have been running them on our F450. For the $200 i'm saving per tire they rock. The only difference I can find is when i'm at 35k gross and up I can feel the sidewalls flex thru curves. It doesn't push the truck.. just feels different.
Nice to deal with. just remember if you run them on low on pressure for mud you lose all warranty.. check their FAQ
If you DD your truck then run them. We have been running them on our F450. For the $200 i'm saving per tire they rock. The only difference I can find is when i'm at 35k gross and up I can feel the sidewalls flex thru curves. It doesn't push the truck.. just feels different.
Nice to deal with. just remember if you run them on low on pressure for mud you lose all warranty.. check their FAQ