Load & fuel savings

Although tests show that reducing load by 10,000 pounds could cut fuel consumption by about 3.9 percent, maximum payload is usually your primary goal.

The good news is, there are ways to increase payload – by decreasing non-paying load. Lighter-weight accessories and tires (like low profile or wide base radials) can help increase revenue-producing capacity without adding to gross weight.

Wide base tires

Wide base tires may have lower rolling resistance than dual assemblies – if the tires in the dual assembly are not of a fuel-efficient type.

Wide base tires can allow weight savings to be converted into revenue-producing payload
and may be more fuel-efficient than ordinary dual assemblies.

They also save weight, which may be able to be converted into extra payload, a very good tradeoff if you can take advantage of it.

In addition, in some cases, especially with certain tankers and hopper-bottom trailers, using wide base radials may allow spring shackles to be moved farther apart, so the container may be positioned closer to the ground.

The result is a lower center of gravity, which can produce superior lateral stability.

Some fleets also like wide base radials because they simplify their parts inventories, requiring fewer wheels and tires and may be easier to maintain.

Wide base tires may be more fuel-efficient than some dual assemblies, as we'll see when we discuss tire construction. If you can take advantage of the weight savings they offer, they're worth considering.