importing tires from off shore

[jd2210]

O.K this isn't really a related topic with regards to tractors, but I wanted to ask it on TBN because I truly value some of the top notch advice I have been given here in the past.

Here is the deal.

I have a small trucking company that hauls mostly logs to area mills. Because of our terrain and unbelievable weights I go through a lot of tires (over 400 tires a year for 7 truck/trailer combo's). Up until now I have been satisfied with my local tire suppliers, but now my main supplier has moved to another area and I'm left with the options of buying my tires from "moron", or "scam man."

Since my old reliable guy has left I have just not been given the service and prices I'm used to and been spending time looking into importing my own tires. Warranty is a non issue (since I don't get any for being "off road" ) and I am not even remotely loyal to one tire brand. Basically for log trucks, tires fit into 3 categories. 1) Michelin, 2)other major brands (Goodyear, Hankook, Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, Kumho Dunlop etc) and 3) off shore, new to the canadian scene brands (Aeolus, Triangle, Long March, Double Coin, West Lake etc). This last category has gotten most of business simlpy becasue I have found they last me just as long, and the prices are unbelievable compared to the previously popular brands. My industry here is in horrible shape so ever penny saved is huge. I'm not remotely afraid of buying a container load at a time if it's going to save me dough in the long run.

Now for my question: does anyone know of a RELIABLE importer of commercial truck tires that I can contact? I have seen a lot on the net who look tremendously suspicious and their english is quite autrocious. I've also contacted some distributers I know of and they all have "protected territories" (that would be "moron", and "scam man") and don't want to sell me tires direct.

Like I previously mentioned, I know this isn't really a question for here, but I was hoping with so many of you purchasing Chinese tractors you might be able to guide me to the right guy. I'm really getting tires of tires being such a big hastle and would love to find a solution. Thanks!!

 

[gordon21]

I assume you have considered buying your own retreading machine. They are not that expensive compared to your annual tire budget. Your own employees could retread as necessary for all axles except the front one of the tractor.

 

[jd2210]

No actually I haven't thought about retreading my own. Aren't retreaders insanely expensive? Wher would I even get one? And don't they have to be federally inspected? I thought they all had to be DOT stamped. I'm very open to the idea though if it's possible. The closest retreader is over a 4 hour drive away. As far as ability goes my guys could easily handle the work, they can do anything.

 

[jd2210]

I've been checking into it today, and it looks like caping is a lot easier in the US then it is here. Everything has to be inspected annually and
I have to buy at least 4 machines just to do it. Oh well back to importing I guess. Still no decent contacts for that though

 

[gordon21]

Any chance you could find a recapper just over the border and bring them across??

 

[Billy_S]

I can't imagine buying the equipment to do your own retreading would be economically practical. I have set up more than one retread plant that cost in the $1 million range.

I am in the tire business. We have 38 locations in Indiana, Kentucky and Illiniois, including 6 wholesale warehouses. We sell A LOT of Doublecoins, although they are starting to be hard to get. We do sell a lot of Triangles and Hankooks, as well as major brands.

One problem with the imports is that you have to order them, by the container, about 90 days out. That isn't a problem for me, but it may be for you. I have pretty much quit carrying Westlakes because we had MANY problems with them. I do agree with you though, the price sure was good.

Anyway, I would be pleased to help you if there is any way I can.

 

[jd2210]

What issues were you having with West Lake? I just ordered 50 of them. They can't be worse than Triangles can they? Please let me know what I need to look out for. You should PM me and I'll get a list of tires together. Can we import?

 

[gordon21]

What kind of retreading machoine are you guys talking about? A million bucks??? The ones I have seen look like giant versions of tire changing stations. It required a floor space of maybe 10'x10' x9' high. I couldn't imagine the thing costing more than $40,000 in 2006 dollars.

Is there more than one type of retreading?? Maybe there is a hot versus cold method?? The machine I saw in use literally stretched a retread "cap" over an old carcass with some type of adhesive between the two. Once the cap was on the carcass, they put it on a machine that looked like a spin balancer that shaved extraneous rubber around the edges with some type of knife edge. A one man operation if he doesn't mind lifting 100# all day long.

Granted, the life of these was far shorter than a new tire, but they were dirt cheap.

 

[dubba]

While I use retreaded tires on a regular basis & see no problem with them, I think the forum is overlooking a significant point in his original post.

Because of our terrain and unbelievable weights I go through a lot of tires (over 400 tires a year for 7 truck/trailer combo's)

I am going to guess that alot, if not most, of his casings are no good due to blowouts & large punctures. If the casing holds air, it will be more prone to blowout when recapped due to the large amount sidewall strikes by large rocks/sticks/logs in the off road terrain & unbelievable weights. I do not think his particular situation is a good fit for recapping.

As a side note the company I work for averages 1 recap or virgin tire per week per truck in a "pavement" enviroment. JD2210's average is 1.25 tires per week per truck. IMHO not all that bad for a unfriendly tire enviroment.

 

[jd2210]

Dubba, you are absolutely bang on. I would say as a rough estimate 50% of the tires we replace are because of damaged casings, not worn out treads. And even on the other 50% a good 25-40% of them really shouldn't be capped, or can't be capped because of damage to the casing. If it needs 3 section repairs and the cap, I'm back to the price of a new tire.

I do get the good ones recapped though. I've recently switched to Hawkinson from Bandag, and aside from the ugliness of the side of the cap I like them much better.

Interresting to note that you figure your tires in per truck per week. I've never really thought of it that way It actually makes my numbers more impressive if you factor in that each truck/trailer combo has 28 wheels going down the road.

Where we are hauling from right now we have Hog Backs so bad that only 1 axle on the trailer (out of 5) is touching the ground at some points!