Tires are the only thing connecting a loaded truck to the road, and on a diesel pickup towing a fifth wheel or a tractor pulling a full trailer, they carry a lot. Keeping them in good shape means fewer blowouts, better braking and longer tread life. RDI Power handles truck tire service at our Brooksville shop, from diesel pickups to heavy trucks, trailers and motorhomes.
Read the sidewall
- Load range: LT tires are rated by load range (E, F, G and so on). Higher load ranges carry more weight at higher pressures. The right load range is set by your truck’s axle ratings and what you haul, not by the price tag.
- Maximum load and pressure: printed on the sidewall. The pressure your truck needs is on the door placard or in the manual, and it often differs from the maximum.
- Date code: the last 4 digits of the DOT code give the week and year the tire was made. Florida sun and heat age rubber before the tread wears out, which matters most on RVs and trailers that sit.
Tread depth: the rules and the reality
Federal rules for commercial vehicles call for at least 4/32 inch of tread on steer tires and 2/32 inch on all other positions. A quick check: put a quarter in the tread with Washington’s head down. If you can see the top of his head, you are at about 4/32. Rain makes worn tires dangerous long before they hit the legal minimum, so many owners replace steer tires at 4/32 rather than run them down. Our post on signs you need new diesel truck tires has more.
What wear patterns tell us
| Wear pattern | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Center of the tread | Overinflation |
| Both outer shoulders | Underinflation |
| A single edge | Alignment (camber or toe) |
| Cupping or scalloping | Worn shocks or imbalance |
| Flat spots | Brake lockup or a dragging brake |
Uneven wear is a symptom. Replacing tires without fixing the cause just wears out the new set. We pair tire work with truck alignment and shock and suspension repair when the wear calls for it.
Florida heat and inflation
Hot pavement raises tire temperature and pressure, and an underinflated tire flexes more and builds even more heat. That combination is a leading cause of separations and blowouts. Check pressures cold, before driving. On duals, the inner tire is easy to miss; valve stem extenders make it easier to reach.
Duals, trailers and RVs
Dual tires should be matched in size and wear so both carry their share. Trailer tires take side loads in turns and sit for long periods. Motorhome tires often age out before the tread wears down, so we check date codes on every RV that comes through. See trailer repair and RV service.
Tire services
- New tires sized and load-rated for your use
- Flat and puncture repairs where the damage is repairable
- Mounting and balancing
- Rotation, ideally at every oil change for high-mileage trucks
- Pressure checks and valve stem service
- Tire inspection as part of preventive maintenance and DOT inspections
Need tires or chasing uneven wear? Bring the truck in, and we will check the tires and whatever is wearing them out.