Work Trucks Need Hard-working Tires

Words: William Groak

Whatever you're hauling, whatever job site you're headed to, your work truck needs to be dependable. It’s a vital part of your livelihood. That's why it’s important to check what holds your work truck up, namely the tires. Simply put, the right tires, along with proper tire care, will keep your work truck rolling.

To most, tires are nondescript, black, and round. Truth be told, though, tires are easily one of the most technologically advanced parts of a vehicle, influencing the braking, steering, comfort, handling, safety, and fuel efficiency, according to Kevin Nguyen, manager of product planning for Yokohama Tire Corporation, manufacturer of a variety of on-road or off-road tires for SUVs, pickup trucks, and passenger cars. The company’s complete product line includes tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, and commercial truck and bus.

“Most people aren’t aware that today’s tires are scientific marvels, holding up under extreme heat and freezing conditions, pounding over potholes, cruising over pavement, rocks, dirt, water, snow, mud, gravel, and all sorts of road hazards. Tires boast highly advanced tread designs, sidewalls, belts, and compounds, and they work so well, they’ve practically become an afterthought,” Nguyen said. “Tires are, however, the only parts of a vehicle that actually touch the road.”

That’s why tires play an important role for masons’ work trucks and vans. The last thing they need is a tire issue while heading to a job. “Having the wrong tire on a vehicle is akin to wearing shoes that don’t fit — they don’t work well and may result in a disappointment with handling, ride, and tread wear,” Nguyen said. That’s why for those in the masonry trade, he suggested Yokohama’s GEOLANDAR® A/T XD, which is a commercial-grade all-terrain tire designed for owners and operators of full-size pickups and commercial vans who use their vehicles as work trucks.

“Masons work year-round and often need to reach job sites where there are no formal roads,” said Nguyen. “That’s where the A/T XD really comes in handy. It features all-weather traction to get you to and from the job site no matter what the terrain. The A/T XD is a tough, all-terrain tire that was built to take the punishment hard-working trucks and vans encounter at every jobsite. It’s severe snow-service-rated and molded for optional studs, offering outstanding on- and off-road traction all year round. And because it’s equipped with GEO-SHIELD 3-ply construction for outstanding reliability, you’ll quickly see that the A/T XD are the right tires for the job.”

The A/T XD is available in 28 sizes ranging from 16 to 20 inches, with more sizes coming soon. Its applications include Chevrolet Silverado 1500/2500HD/3500HD, Ford F-150/F-250 Super Duty/F-350 Super Duty, GMC Sierra 1500/2500HD/3500HD, Mercedes-Benz 1500/2500/3500, Nissan NV1500/2500/3500, Nissan Titan XD, RAM 1500/2500/3500, and RAM Promaster 1500/2500/3500.

Nguyen added that MCAA members can purchase Yokohama tires at any authorized Yokohama tire dealer throughout the United States and redeem for cash-back rewards on select tires. Cash-back rebates can be redeemed online by visiting YokohamaMCAARewards.com with proof of purchase. Or visit any Discount Tire or America’s Tire location and receive program benefits at the time of purchase.

Benefits of the GEOLANDAR A/T XD include:
On/off-road durability is achieved by Yokohama’s GEO-SHIELD® technology, which features a 3-ply sidewall, full nylon cap, and high turn-up carcass to assure merciless traction and reliable protection. Plus, the sidewall armor creates a bold, new look and provides protection from lateral impacts.

Outstanding all-weather performance is attained by an aggressive tread design that has hundreds of wavy sipes combined with an optimized void-to-lug ratio to provide powerful all-weather traction. Additionally, the A/T XD is severe snow-service-rated (3PMSF) and is pinned with pin holes that allow the user to install #15 studs as an option for better winter traction.

Long tread life comes from the A/T XD’s wide, flat profile, which distributes stresses more evenly across the entire tread area to maximize even wear.

Enhanced cut and chip resistance is accomplished via Yokohama’s high-density compound, which has a high level of natural rubber to provide long tread life and enhance cut-and-chip resistance.

Besides your work truck, Nguyen said maintaining your daily driver tires for everyday use is essential, too. This includes taking five minutes a month to check your tire pressure. “A tire that’s underinflated will affect your drive and the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Keeping them properly inflated will give you a better ride and save you some at the gas pump,” he said.

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) recommends checking the tires when they are cold — at least four hours since the vehicle was last driven. Nguyen said to always use an accurate tire gauge and make sure the valve is free of debris and water. The correct tire pressure is specified by the manufacturer of the vehicle, not the tire manufacturer. The proper inflation levels can be found on a placard on the inside of the car door and/or in the owner’s manual.

Nguyen offers more tire tips that will help you throughout the year:

  1. Check your tread depth by placing a penny upside down into a tread groove. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, your tire’s tread has worn down to the legal limit, and you need to buy new tires.

  2. Tires must be replaced when the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch (the lowest legal limit). It’s best to replace them before they reach 2/32 depending on your drive (geographically and based on the type of streets).

  3. Rotating your tires regularly promotes even wear of the tread. Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.

  4. Check your alignment at least once a year or sooner, especially if the vehicle is pulling to one side. This will help avoid uneven wear on tire tread. Tire balance should also be monitored.
For more tire care and safety tips, visit www.yokohamatire.com/tires-101 or www.USTires.org.

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