During the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville I spoke to hundreds of truckers, both drivers and owner operators. One subject that came up regularly was the proper amount of air to put in retreads versus the proper amount of air to put in new tires. I was surprised at some of the remarks. "We always run retreads at 10 pounds less than new. You have to do it with retreads." "You can't run retreads at full air pressure."

This was typical of too many comments from truckers who should have known better. Heaven only knows how this old husband's tale began, but it's absolutely not based on fact. Retread or new, all tires should be run at the recommended air pressure from the tire manufacturer or the appropriate tire data book.

The major tire manufacturers spend millions on research, development and testing to determine the proper amount of air pressure for a particular size tire. Whether the tire casing is new or retreaded has absolutely nothing to do with it. To give myself a reality check - to be certain I was not mistaken in my understanding of proper air pressure - I turned to two experts. Jan Lahmann, Michelin Tire Corporation, confirmed that I was correct. "Michelin would recommend a pressure using the appropriate load/inflation table. The same recommendation would be used for new tires or retreads", said Lahmann.

Chuck Yurkovich, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company concurred. "Today's radial truck tires are built to provide maximum usable mileage, durability and retreadability. The materials used ensure that casing integrity is maintained throughout not only the first tread life, but also through one or more retreads, depending on service application, type of vehicle, operating conditions, and a number of other factors. "When the original tread of a tire wears down, the tire may be buffed and retreaded using any one of a number of processes. The retreading process essentially does one thing - allowing the casing to continue to run, and eliminating the need for a replacement tire purchase. "Maintenance is just as important to retreads as it is to new tires. To maximize performance and to increase the potential for the tire to be retreaded a second or third time, it is important to maintain proper inflation in the tire. One way to view this is to realize the casing doesn't know what kind of tread it has - a new tire tread or a retread. It will respond the same to all external factors like load, torque, braking, cornering force, road debris, etc. "Treating retreads with the same maintenance and care as new tires will maximize performance and lead to lowest cost of fleet operation regardless of application," said Yurkovich.

I know I would have received similar comments from every other new tire manufacturer. The bottom line: The single most important thing a trucking fleet can do to prolong tire life (and as an aside, to increase fuel mileage) is to inflate all tires, whether new or retreads, to the recommended air pressure and check the air pressure on a regular basis, and use a calibrated air gauge. Let's bury this old husband's tale once and for all. Truckers have to remember, "Don't thump 'em. Pump 'em."