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FedEx Freight | Low Rolling Resistance Tires

silent trucker

silent trucker

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So Called Drivers,
here's an article about the Low Rolling Resistance Tires some so called drivers are blaming for their irresponsible and unprofessional actions behind the wheel of a company truck.

CARB releases new low rolling resistance tire requirements
Source: California Air Resources Board (CARB) Dec 14, 2012
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The California Air Resources Board has issued Regulatory Advisory Mail-Out MSC# 12-26 to explain how the low rolling resistance tire requirements of the regulation will be implemented for (1) tractors that use 2 or more open shoulder drive tires and (2) 2011 and newer model year tractors and trailers that use retreaded tires.
The regulation requires tractors that use two or more open shoulder drive tires to use SmartWay verified low rolling resistance tires by January 1, 2013. This advisory clarifies that tractors using new non-SmartWay open shoulder drive tires that were manufactured prior to January 1, 2013, can continue to use those tires for the useful life of that tread, or until January 1, 2015, whichever comes first. Any new open shoulder drive tire manufactured after January 1, 2013, must be a SmartWay verified low rolling resistance tire. This advisory also clarifies that tractors using non-SmartWay open shoulder retreaded tires manufactured prior to January 1, 2014, to continue to use those tires for the useful life of that tread, or until January 1, 2016, whichever comes first. Any open shoulder retreaded drive tire retreaded after January 1, 2014, must be capped with a SmartWay verified low rolling resistance retread material on any casing.
The regulation requires 2011 model year and newer tractors and trailers to use SmartWay verified low rolling resistance tires beginning January 1, 2010. This advisory clarifies that 2011 model year and newer tractors and trailers using retreaded tires comprised of SmartWay casing capped with any retread material prior to January 1, 2013, can continue to use those tires for the useful life of the tread or until January 1, 2015 for tractors and January 1, 2017 for trailers, whichever comes first. Any tire retreaded after January 1, 2013 must be capped with a SmartWay verified low rolling resistance retread material on any casing.
 
These tires are required on every tractor that enters/exits California, or is domiciled in California. It's sad, that some so called drivers have driven insanely and wiped out, and claimed the tires are responsible for their actions. Slow The "F" Down.
 
Jesus dude did someone wreck your tractor? Driving is common sense, it sounds like Fed Ex needs to have an education on that where ever your from.
 
Sorry, but as a DDC, I have driven tractors with those tires and... THEY SUCK!! Traction on wet pavement is horrible! It's like driving on black ice, especially with BOTH trailers empty. I was once going up a not-so-steep incline and I had to pull over to the shoulder, called central disp. and wait for a tow truck. NO LIE!! I was towed to the nearest Center and the drive tires were replaced with new, different tread design tires. NO MORE ISSUES with the new tires. FFX quit using those lousy fuel economy tires for a few years. Everyone that had them on their trucks had the same complaints. All were replaced even if they had just a few miles on them. And now, I see they are bringing them back. WHY??????????

So, NO, you don't have to drive like a cowboy to have an accident due to these tires. The more we complain about them, the sooner they find a suitable, safer replacement.
 
Joe cummin said:
Sorry, but as a DDC, I have driven tractors with those tires and... THEY SUCK!! Traction on wet pavement is horrible! It's like driving on black ice, especially with BOTH trailers empty. I was once going up a not-so-steep incline and I had to pull over to the shoulder, called central disp. and wait for a tow truck. NO LIE!! I was towed to the nearest Center and the drive tires were replaced with new, different tread design tires. NO MORE ISSUES with the new tires. FFX quit using those lousy fuel economy tires for a few years. Everyone that had them on their trucks had the same complaints. All were replaced even if they had just a few miles on them. And now, I see they are bringing them back. WHY??????????

So, NO, you don't have to drive like a cowboy to have an accident due to these tires. The more we complain about them, the sooner they find a suitable, safer replacement.
Click to expand...

You expect me to believe this? I've driven on these tires for 5 years, through snow, ice and rain and haven't had a problem. You claim you're a DDC and can't drive on them?

Secondly, they're not bringing back the other tires. They are experimenting with a couple of new tread designs recently approved by CARB. And if these tires are so dangerous, why is it that every ditch in the Pacific Northwest doesn't have a FxF set rolled over into it? There have been a half dozen cowboys that have wrecked in the last 5 years, who've made wild claims about these tires. Why only a few?

Logic dictates you're full of brown smelly stuff.

ST
 
I will have to say the first generation "energy" tires that we got back in the day sucked also....well, if you had empties anyways, if you were loaded there were less issues. If I'm not mistaken it was determined that the "solid" outside treads (without the grooves) on those tires would not allow the water to escape the tread in the rain when pulling empties which actually "lifted" the tires from the road, this phenomenon wasn't as common when the lead trailer was loaded. Also, after driving all day in the rain, we had some of those tires where the rubber compound was breaking down leaving gummy pieces of rubber on the treads...you could scrape it off the tires and make a rubber ball with it. Although Michelin refused accept responsibility for the issues, they were pulled from all of our tractors and replaced with their redesigned second generation "energy" tires that had the grooves in the outside treads.

I personally had a bad experience with the first gen tires.... I was in ATL on the flyover bridge from 85 S to 285 E in the rain traveling about 30 in a 45 zone with two empties and had the rear of the truck come around on me...I was looking at the jersey wall with the truck sliding sideways in the road!! I did manage to gain control and drive out of the almost certain accident. I've never had a problem at this interchange before, nor have I since once those tires were removed....thank goodness!!

I will also say I've never had a problem with the second or third generation "energy" tires either.
 
The early LRR tires were garbage. Poor tread design, poor compound. I know owner/ops who wrecked their rigs in the rain because of those tires.

The new ones, though, are just fine. Solid-shoulder tires are supposed to be long life, but they get mucked up with snow and suddenly it's like you're driving on hockey pucks.
 
Canadian Flyer said:
The early LRR tires were garbage. Poor tread design, poor compound. I know owner/ops who wrecked their rigs in the rain because of those tires.

The new ones, though, are just fine. Solid-shoulder tires are supposed to be long life, but they get mucked up with snow and suddenly it's like you're driving on hockey pucks.
Click to expand...
How long have you been waiting to use that hockey puck analogy?? :grin: I love it!!
 
My bid truck for nearly 7 years had Super Single (Wide-Base) tires on the drive axle. I put over 750,000 miles on that truck myself and even took it in the snow over Loveland Pass and back from Grand Junction to Denver over the Rockies (Eisenhower Tunnel) not to mention the midwest weather changes every year.

Yes it took a little different driving style, they spun in the rain a lot but I never over drove them and took my time with them when needed. I'd take another truck with em. Tires don't cause wrecks.

roog
 
silent trucker said:
You expect me to believe this? I've driven on these tires for 5 years, through snow, ice and rain and haven't had a problem. You claim you're a DDC and can't drive on them?

Secondly, they're not bringing back the other tires. They are experimenting with a couple of new tread designs recently approved by CARB. And if these tires are so dangerous, why is it that every ditch in the Pacific Northwest doesn't have a FxF set rolled over into it? There have been a half dozen cowboys that have wrecked in the last 5 years, who've made wild claims about these tires. Why only a few?

Logic dictates you're full of brown smelly stuff.

ST
Click to expand...


I don't have to prove a DAMN thing to you. You, SIR, don't know a DAMN thing about me to be calling me a liar! I AM a DDC whether you believe me or not, which, as a professional driver, I give two licks about your opinion!
 
Joe cummin said:
I don't have to prove a DAMN thing to you. You, SIR, don't know a DAMN thing about me to be calling me a liar! I AM a DDC whether you believe me or not, which, as a professional driver, I give two licks about your opinion!
Click to expand...

Actually, you haven't proven a damn thing worth proving to anyone. Just what is a DDC? A DDI is a "Driver Development Instructor". And as for being a professional driver, by your own admission:

"Sorry, but as a DDC, I have driven tractors with those tires and... THEY SUCK!! Traction on wet pavement is horrible! It's like driving on black ice, especially with BOTH trailers empty. I was once going up a not-so-steep incline and I had to pull over to the shoulder, called central disp. and wait for a tow truck. NO LIE!! I was towed to the nearest Center and the drive tires were replaced with new, different tread design tires. NO MORE ISSUES with the new tires. FFX quit using those lousy fuel economy tires for a few years. Everyone that had them on their trucks had the same complaints. All were replaced even if they had just a few miles on them. And now, I see they are bringing them back. WHY??????????"

Nothing in that last statement makes any sense. You expect the professional drivers on this board to extend respect to you, yet your comments don't deserve respect. 20,000+ FedEx Freight drivers are on the highways and bi-ways everyday on LRR tires, and only a handful nationwide have wiped out a set, while screaming about tires. And you admit to needing a tow truck to get over a mole hill.

Try again rookie, try again.

ST
 
These new tires are costing companies huge amounts of money! Saving .03 on fuel mileage doesn't even come close to what accidents cost.
I know, slow down super trucker.
 
Loose Canon said:
These new tires are costing companies huge amounts of money! Saving .03 on fuel mileage doesn't even come close to what accidents cost.
I know, slow down super trucker.
Click to expand...

Sadly, you've made the mistake of thinking that the global warming folks care about saving lives. They only care, IMHO, about profiting from something they can't prove exists. They scare the hell out of the sheep with doom and gloom, and sell the cure that kills folks in the process. Helluva marketing plan.
 
silent trucker said:
Sadly, you've made the mistake of thinking that the global warming folks care about saving lives. They only care, IMHO, about profiting from something they can't prove exists. They scare the hell out of the sheep with doom and gloom, and sell the cure that kills folks in the process. Helluva marketing plan.
Click to expand...

Regardless it doesn't mean we have to buy the junk tires to put on our trucks, but im sure there is a tax credit if we do buy them.
 
Crazy Trucker said:
Regardless it doesn't mean we have to buy the junk tires to put on our trucks, but im sure there is a tax credit if we do buy them.
Click to expand...

What the hell are you smoking? Tax credit? The only thing going on here is that the company doesn't pay the penalty for not complying. Friend of mine who's an owner operator claims it's $375 per tire, per tractor. That's $1500 on a two axle. And when the tires wear out? another $1,500. Who the hell can afford that? And any tractor entering The People's Republik of California is subject to this "law" which has been implemented by a non elected non governing body that acts just like the SS in (⊙▃⊙) Germany. They're called the CARB, California Air Resources Board. Welcome to hell. They do whatever they want.
 
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