Several myths about retreaded tires

We’ve all seen those giant pieces of tire on the side of the road. If you drive semitrucks, you know exactly what those are. They’re strips of rubber that trucking companies glue on to worn out tires in order to save money and make the tires last longer. Using retreads on semitrucks is safe, legal and reasonable as long as follow good maintenance protocols.

If you’re a truck driver, though, there are a few myths you might want to know about retreads:

— Some drivers think that retreads need 10 psi less than normal tires. This simply isn’t true. They require the same amount of psi as normal tires.

— Your loads are too heavy for retreads: This isn’t necessarily the case. Even if you’re carrying heavy loads, there are heavy-duty retreads that can do the trick. The thing is, some truck drivers don’t get the heavy duty retreads they need, and this can spell disaster.

— You can’t retread your tires because the tire company doesn’t offer the service: Even tire companies that don’t retread themselves still tend to make their tires with the idea that they will be retreaded. It’s probably a lot safer in most cases to retread your tires than to continue running on bald, worn-out tires.

Tire retreading is here to stay, and it’s a safe practice as long as it’s done appropriately. However, if a semitruck company fails to retread its tires in a timely manner — or if a truck is driving on old, worn out retreads — it could result in a serious accident and the trucking company would likely be negligent and liable for any financial damages and injuries that resulted.

At Johnston Moore & Thompson, we represent the victims of semitruck accidents. If you were injured in any kind of big rig crash, we’re available to help.