On long roads and between cities and international borders, huge trucks carry the artery of world trade. The strong link between their huge engines and heavy cargo is a simple tool called “tires.” These circular rubber parts are not just a means of moving a truck. They are the main element that connects the giant machine to the asphalt ground. Since the first dawn of the birth of tires, many companies have sought to develop the basic structures for the manufacture of tires. History has begun to record developments in this sector as a breakthrough in the man-made machine. In this article, we will track the evolution of truck tires throughout history and highlight their great importance, with a focus on answering important questions that people ask about tires and when do they need to be changed? How to choose the right tire, And many of the questions that drivers, truck owners, and logistics fleets are looking for.
If we take a cursory look at the beginning of the discovery of tires, we will find that in the seventeenth century, trade between countries flourished and horse-drawn vehicles became one of the most important elements in commercial transportation. Because wooden vehicles needed wheels made of stronger materials than wood to withstand the weights on the backs of vehicles. The first idea was to make wooden frames coated with iron, but they were very hard and uncomfortable to carry obstacles. In the following years of this ninth century, “Robert Thomson” started experiments in the manufacture of pneumatic tires, but the tire made by “Robert Thomson” is expensive and impractical, but after years, specifically in 1888, a star came out.” John Boyd Dunlop” after adding some upgrades and modifications, and the pneumatic tire has continued in the arena until today.
The history of infidels in the world
In the 1930s, pneumatic tires known as “radial tires” (“radial tires”) were designed by Michelin. This type of tires caused a global revolution in the field of logistics, especially in heavy trucks and large construction equipment. However, radial tires were not born like this suddenly without warning. Rather, they were the result of previous experiments that started with the Scottish engineer “Robert Thomson”, who registered the first patent for the pneumatic tire, but as usual, new inventions are not popular, especially since the cost of producing a Thomson tire was very high with limited applications to make this tire.
After more than forty years, specifically in 1888, a new name appeared in the field of tires, namely the veterinarian “John Boyd Dunlop”. His entry into the field of tire manufacturing was a little strange. The reason for his entry into this field was that his son had difficulty riding a bicycle on hard paved roads. He received “Dunlop” from Thomson's experience and created an air tire for bicycles. In a way, this tire was very practical and suitable for bicycles, which attracted many people to this product. In several years, Dunlop tires became popular and started to be used in vehicles and later in small vehicles after proving their great success.
With the beginning of the emergence of large engines, emphasis began to be placed on providing tires that can withstand the weights of these engines. Gradually, with the widespread use of large trucks in road transport, there was an urgent need to develop tires. Engineers started using natural rubber as a basic material, but it was not that tough to withstand high pressure with its high flexibility, but it needed a certain degree of rigidity. These problems led to the provision of a new product called “synthetic rubber”, which is simply natural rubber mixed with other hard materials that increase the hardness of rubber and make it resistant to wear and carry large weights. Twenty can be carried and transported with such ease.
Innovation campaigns continued until the mid-twentieth century. Manufacturers added new materials such as nylon, plastic and polyester as they were very popular in that period. They have exclusive features such as high flexibility and extreme durability. They can be stretched and compressed. Work has also been made to develop puncture resistant tires and tires that can withstand loads in the event of loss of air pressure (Run- Flat Tires). Here we are in 2024. Innovations continue in the world of tire manufacturing.
The stages of tire development throughout history
The state of development and the periodSolid tires based on natural rubber. 1900-1920. The emergence of radial tires and their increased efficiency. 1930-1950. The introduction of steel belt technologies to improve endurance. 1960-1980. The use of digital technologies to design smart tires. 1990-2020
Truck tires in the current period are no longer just rubber and air. They have become a complete mechanical world full of details and complex processes. The internal structures of rubber have changed and become strengthened with new materials, and the addition of accurate sensors that continuously detect the condition of the tire. Truck tires may have been a wide door to developing spacecraft tires on which all (NASA) und (SpaceX) Today, the focus is on providing tires suitable for the challenges of the difficult Martian environment and the lack of gravity, making the field of tire manufacturing significantly advanced in safety, safety and providing higher efficiency and better quality.
When do you need to change the covers?
Truck tires operate under the harshest weather conditions. At the highest levels of pressure, they carry high weights and travel long distances. All these challenges require high strength and endurance that we may not have reached until today. This has made tires a consumer good that must be replaced immediately after they are damaged or expired. The prominent question in this scene remains; Why do tires expire?
Chemical degradation due to time
The rubber used in the manufacture of tires contains chemical components, such as oils, synthetic rubber and black carbon compounds, which are the main components of almost all tires. Over time, these compounds begin to interact with oxygen in the atmosphere and are affected by temperature changes in the road and in warehouses, in addition to the effects of humidity, which make the internal structure more fragile and less flexible and durable. The oxidation process continues in the components of the tire (and oxidation generally occurs in any carbon component) and will therefore impair the ability of these components to perform their functional tasks. Therefore, companies have worked to determine a lifetime It is determined by certain tests conducted by the company. Good tires usually have a lifespan of 5-7 years, but this period varies depending on the conditions in which the tires are driven, the driving style followed by the driver and the availability of regular maintenance.
The impact of environmental conditions and daily use
Naturally, the conditions that tires are exposed to while driving contribute to determining the age of tires and their ability to continue working, because tires are made of flexible materials that are affected by heat, humidity and air. Heat can be considered the most harmful factor on tires, as it contributes to the dismantling of tire structures and the expansion of air inside it, which increases the level of pressure and hence the formation of deformations in the inner layers of the tire. This can make the tire deteriorate faster than others, in addition to other factors such as chemical reactions that occur between rubber and oxygen and continuous oxidation processes that gnaw the tire It causes strong cracks. Although heavy friction leads to corrosion of the outer pattern, UV rays are more dangerous because they do to the outer rubber layers that break down due to physical reactions that occur due to continuous exposure of materials to UV rays, even in cases where the tire pattern is relatively intact. Tires exposed to these harsh conditions can be absolutely unsafe to travel on highways, especially in heavy loads, or long and international trips.
Shelf life versus use
The shelf life of tires can be considered the limit between the disintegration of tire particles and their continued cohesion, even with stored tires. Age has an impact on materials in all cases, making these expired tires unsafe and not allowed to travel on international and local roads. As we mentioned earlier, internal materials are the ones that wear out for a certain period of time. This wear has visible consequences on the performance and usability of tires on the roads. One of the problems that drivers face after the expiration of the tire's validity period is the increase in the rate of regular maintenance if the tire becomes more susceptible to punctures and cracks. Over time, drivers feel The inability to fully control tires due to rapid wear of the tread due to the expiration of the materials that protect the tread layer from rapid wear. All these problems and obstacles make expired tires highly dangerous to the road while not providing smooth driving and poor interaction with the truck, suspension system and braking systems.
A table showing the impact of external factors on tires
Influencing factorThe impact on the frame due to deteriorationOxidation and chemical reactions damage to rubber and loss of elasticity. Cracked structure and poor performance. Exposure to high temperatures raise the tire pressure level and accelerate chemical reactions. Damage to the inner composite layers. Ultraviolet radiation. Breakage of the outer layer of rubber. Increased surface cracks. Abrasion due to friction. Severe wear of the tread pattern. Loss of stability and grip on the road. Improper storage. Material exposure to moisture or heat. Poor overall frame structure and air leakage.
How to examine the history of the manufacture of covers?
Examining the date of manufacture and expiration of tires is one of the most important steps to maintain safety and security. Moreover, this step is something that drivers cannot ignore because it may cause a terrible accident to the truck and thus cause losses to the truck owner or the logistics fleet. In this paragraph, we note an important thing, which is the danger of buying used and expired tires. It is like buying a terrible accident. This purchase is prohibited in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This act exposes the seller and the buyer to legal accountability. Therefore, you can follow these steps to find out the history of the manufacture of tires.
1. (DOT) Code Search
To examine the history of tire manufacture, we start by looking for the (DOT) symbol, which is an acronym for “Department of Transportation.” This code is found on the side of each tire and contains very important information that helps determine the production date of this tire.
How to read the (DOT) code: The code usually consists of 11-12 digits, as the last four digits indicate the date of manufacture. For example, if the last four digits are (4202), it means that the tire was produced in the forty-second week 42 of 2002. The first two numbers on the left indicate the week in which the tires were produced, while the last two digits on the right refer to the year in this way: (2002=02) (2024=24) (2020=20) and so on in different years, indicating that the year contains 52 weeks.
Additional note: Before the last quadrilateral number, you may find letters or symbols that often refer to the manufacturer's “code” and the type of tire. Therefore, it is preferable to review the ways to read the symbols on the tires from the following article: (How do you choose your truck tire?)
2.Wear Index Check (TWI)
Each tire has a side bump known as (TWI), which is an acronym for the English term “Tread Wear Indicator”. Its work requires determining the level of tire wear, which contributes to determining the appropriate time to replace truck tires.
- How is the (TWI) indicator used?
This indicator appears in the form of a bump on the side of the tire, making it easier to monitor. When the level of protrusion of the indicator is equal to the surface of the tire, this is a strict indication that the tire should be replaced immediately, because the disappearance of the indicator means that the tire's life has passed and there is only a frightening period left, in which the risk index is at its highest levels.
It is preferable to check this indicator regularly, especially on long trips, because it has a significant impact on tire performance during long distances or in poor environmental conditions. Drivers should check this indicator carefully to ensure safety while driving, asking God to protect us and you.
3. Examine the outer marks of the tire
Knowing the condition of the tires is not difficult as we have looked at the many external signs, which are easy to notice simply by examining the tires manually and looking for cracks, bulges and any suspicious effect on the outer shell of the tire. This process is of great importance because the problems that arise on the surface are the major problems that should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
- Look out for flaws!
Check for side and interior cracks by wiping the tire by hand. You can check for tire leaks by placing it in a water basin. This method is very common. If you notice many signs of cracking accompanied by air leakage, this requires quick intervention to avoid trouble.
- Uneven wear
If you check the tread manually, you may notice that there are areas that are smoother than others, or are less thick than other areas. Yes, this is called uneven wear, which occurs due to alignment problems or wrong air pressure. The problem may be related to the distribution of the load on the truck. In general, uneven wear is one of the most serious problems in tires because it creates a weak area in the face of pressure, so the tire may explode suddenly, so drivers should take this into account to avoid uncontrollable problems.
How to choose the right tires for trucks?
With the effects of tire expiration mentioned earlier, and by learning about the evolution of tires in the world, since the inception of the first “Kafr” until today, tires vary in their different types and characteristics, and because trucks have also evolved to keep pace with the technical requirements of the era, drivers must take care to choose the most suitable tires for their trucks and cars. In order for drivers to make the appropriate decision, it is necessary to take into account the influencing factors, as well as determining the work environment and the type of roads that the truck will take during its trips, after all this, considering the sizes and measurements installed on old tires or in” “The truck catalog, and in a company Your path There are many types of tires and pedals with different styles and exclusive features. To make it easier to choose the best and most suitable covers for your truck, you should consider the following points:
First: the type of covers
The types of covers available in the Saudi markets vary, and each type has a specific purpose designed for it. In a hurry, we review the most famous types that should be taken into consideration.
- All-terrain tires (All-Terrain Tires): This type of tires provides a high balance between performance on flat roads and rough roads. Of course, here we mean slightly rugged roads rather than mountainous or sandy roads because these roads have dedicated tires that are better able to deal with these challenges, but in the case of commercial trucks, this option is very suitable because of its flexibility in dealing with artificial terrain, bumps and others.
- Winter tires: As for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there are many northern and coastal areas where temperatures drop at night and in winter to very low temperatures, which affects summer cases and covers for other conditions. However, if your truck or logistics fleet is active in those areas, winter covers are an excellent choice because they are resistant to snow and heavy rain. They are designed to provide high stability on roads with drainage channels for water and liquids that make the friction area very high, giving the tires a high ability to respond in the most difficult weather conditions.
- Off-Road Tires: This type of tire is clearly intended for rough roads, which are usually in construction areas and construction projects. They are characterized by high flexibility and a good level of resistance to shocks and bumps, while providing a high traction force that reduces truck slip.
Second: taking into account the required load
One of the most important factors in the selection of tires is because the main purpose of having trucks is to transport cargo from point to point in a safe manner. Therefore, drivers should take into account the maximum load carried by the truck and therefore choose tires that carry identical weights. This provides a high balance of heavy loads and prevents the truck from deviating from the track. In general, choosing tires that are compatible in size and endurance, this improves the truck's performance on highways.
Third: Choosing reliable companies
When looking for tire companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there is a shining star that provides the best authentic products that bear the fragrance of Saudi heritage, with designs and patterns customized to the environment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while seeking to provide the highest levels of quality and efficiency, while providing annual guarantees on the quality and efficiency of tires. This guarantee is proof of the strength of Darbek's products.
Some of the distinctive covers of Darbek Company are:
- Stability pad: With stability, you go quietly to get you to your destination. This high performance was accompanied by a unique design for the Kufr pedals, which gave it a high stability on flat roads, supported by a special system to expel gravel from grooves and cracks, with composite layers with natural rubber to give the mat strength and durability in the face of the harshest conditions.
- A number of lines: The ideal partner for long trips, with high strength and unique durability, we can offer you a “liner” as the perfect cover for traveling between cities and neighboring countries, with high flexibility in withstanding long trips, as it comes with four composite layers of solid rubber-reinforced materials, making this cover stronger on long roads and commercial transport lines.
- Daasa Tuwaiq: Kufr is the most prominent in rugged and mountainous roads. That is why it is referred to as Jabal Al-Tuwaiq, announcing its high strength and energy in accordance with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. This infidelity comes with a structure reinforced with hard materials, which enables it to withstand strong blows and difficult bumps, with a design that is no less unique than others that provides a high possibility of fixing infidelity on rocky and mountain roads.
Historical facts about tires:
- In 1911, the “BF Goodrich” company launched a rubber tire reinforced with metal wires for trucks, which in turn increased the loads carried by trucks thanks to the strength of this tire to withstand high pressure.
- During World War II, the world was suffering from a shortage of natural rubber, which prompted engineers to develop different manufacturing alternatives such as: butadiene rubber, which is used today in the manufacture of tires for large trucks.
