Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Well, it just goes to show that even an old bone-head like me can still learn something on TDR, MChrist.
When I was an owner-operator, I ran virgin rubber all the way around on my tractor and never had any real issues. My trailers on the other hand had recaps and I experienced periodic failures. I looked at the blown tires and attributed the condition to heat generated during the tread separation. I may have mis-diagnosed the failure, and for too many years have let rumors, wives' tales and such dominate my thinking. All that being said, I have never had a comfortable feeling running down the road with anything other than virgin rubber on the steering axle, and I will probably never change.
I think your approach with the Sailuns, as long as they are quality built tires is good. For a few cents more your drivers are mostly content and you avoid the age-old argument over the supposed inherent properties of a retread.
- Ed
When I was an owner-operator, I ran virgin rubber all the way around on my tractor and never had any real issues. My trailers on the other hand had recaps and I experienced periodic failures. I looked at the blown tires and attributed the condition to heat generated during the tread separation. I may have mis-diagnosed the failure, and for too many years have let rumors, wives' tales and such dominate my thinking. All that being said, I have never had a comfortable feeling running down the road with anything other than virgin rubber on the steering axle, and I will probably never change.
I think your approach with the Sailuns, as long as they are quality built tires is good. For a few cents more your drivers are mostly content and you avoid the age-old argument over the supposed inherent properties of a retread.
- Ed
