Wow my first post
Hi all you awesome ppl!
On topic: I just put tires on my bus and did tons of research, as well as, asked my diesel mechanic and 2 OTR driver friends....
Heat is the worst enemy of tires.
If you must go recap they are not all equal. Go with Bandag quality.
Never on the steers.
If you lose a cap the bus will likely take some damage. Possibly more than a blowout might. And hits other cars more ccommonly.
Cover your tires when stationary for a while.
Some shops will have good takeoffs from time to time, most often ones that service dealers. But you have to ask.
I spent some hours calling bigger shops in my area for pricing 6 new and, if possible, 4 takeoffs/used tires for my drives.
Recaps were more costly anyhow with the local joint and the bigger shops near-ish me didn't sell them.
I got very lucky and found 4 good used Bridgestone high efficiency drives w/in a 45 min. drive for 175 ea. mounted and machine balanced (local shop uses beads). Plus 2 new steers of course
I personally feel better about 2yr old tires with more tread than I'll wear down before their DOT date expires than I do about recaps that were run down to the minimum before thier new life begins. But that's just my opinon.
With that said each and every recap tire is supposed be checked as opposed to only a ratio with new tires.
Also, my research led me to avoid chinese tires at all cost. However, it's not hard to sway me away from poorly made crap.
We don't push the weight of a semi but with heat being a tires biggest failure factor, a proper reputation of quality was most important to me. Blowouts can be scary and possibly worse.
Good luck 🍀 all the best!
Linear Mode
