What is one of the biggest challenges for commercial fleet managers and drivers? In a word – corrosion. It is the enemy of all things metal or steel alloy. Particularly if you frequently drive in conditions that encourage corrosion, you must exercise caution where your commercial fleet’s electrical equipment, commercial tire components, and other corrodible parts are concerned. Many factors go into the causes of corrosion, so let’s take a closer look at how your commercial fleet is affected by this equal opportunity offender.
Commercial Fleet Tires and Corrosion
No, the tires themselves do not corrode, per se. They’re made of rubber. But the effects of corrosion are, nonetheless, suffered in all types of climates. From northeastern to southwestern and Washington state down to Florida, and everything in between, there’s always some condition going on that will contribute to the possibility of corrosion.
From your brakes to metal surfaces to commercial tires, knowing what environments cause the most corrosion will help to ensure safety while you’re on the road.
Your commercial fleet can suffer premature deterioration because of the following:
- Magnesium and calcium chlorides – Trucks are affected by these road-clearing chemicals even more than they are by rock salt. Will they have an adverse effect on your wheel parts? Yes. But that’s not all. What would normally have been a 60,000-mile life span for your brakes could be reduced, thanks to the effects of magnesium, to a mere 20,000 miles!
- Rock salt – Safety conditions are definitely improved by the use of rock salt. But your wheel ends and other metal surfaces will quickly corrode if you do not clean residue away.
- Puddles, rain, and moisture – Water can splash up onto metal surfaces during rainy conditions. Even your wheel ends can be damaged by this action. Excess moisture is a major cause of corrosion and, therefore, a massive threat to the metal surfaces of your truck. This is particularly the case during cold weather.
How Are Commercial Tires Affected By Corrosion?
Again, tires are rubber, so they don’t corrode. That doesn’t mean they’re not affected, however, by the byproducts of corrosion.
Here are some examples:
- Unnecessary break down – As a result of underside component corrosion, unnecessary downtime, mechanical failure, and accidents can happen.
- Damage to metal – The wheels on your truck can break down because wheel ends are susceptible to corrosion. Commercial tires can also be catastrophically damaged as a result of inner hub fasteners (and other vital metal components) suffering degradation.
- Friction increases – The lubricant that prevents harm to mechanical components and reduces increased friction can be washed away by excess moisture.
Adding a Used Trailer to Your Commercial Fleet
Whether you’re just starting out or simply like saving on costs, the purchase of a used trailer can be a real money saver. These days, who doesn’t need to save money? When buying a used vehicle or trailer, rust can be a real problem. Always inspect every possible inch of a used trailer or vehicle before buying it. There’s no sense paying good money for someone else’s rusted out piece of junk.
To be sure you’re getting a quality piece of equipment, put your trust in the used trailers available through Mickey Genuine Parts. In addition to trucking/transportation components, equipment, parts, and accessories, we frequently have an inventory of used trailers. From beverage trailers to party trailers, we almost always have something available. Check back often, however, because our used trailer inventory changes frequently.
Any questions? Contact us today at Mickey to find out more.