Fleet Tyre Fitting and Replacement What Fleet Tyre Fitting and Replacement Means for Businesses Fleet tyre fitting and replacement is designed for companies who can ’ t afford for any of their fleet to not be on the road-which can be from just three or four vans through to many trucks. Rather than expecting each truck to be handled one by one as it breaks, it concentrates on maintaining the condition of all the trucks in the fleet and therefore not just decreasing the risk of downtime as an unexpected vehicle breakdown can affect so much more than a single vehicle repair. For a firm the break of a tire, whether it ’ s wear and tear or just being punctured is often not a great deal more of an inconvenience. With the late deliveries and stuck drivers that such breakdowns can cause, and of course at the time when that vehicle and often other drivers (to take over the workload from an under resourced fleet) could be the most crucial in terms of the running of the business. Fleet tire fitting is provided to cut out that sort of issue as much as possible with whether the breaking down is from single puncturing or all the wheels of a fleet showing excessive and uniform wearing. The actual fitting itself would cover fleet vehicles ranging from small vans right through to many trucks and can be scheduled as a business service or as an emergency if needed. For every one the actual maintenance itself of the fitting would happen by a service that will most likely come to you on site-whatever location that may be: at your depot, on-site where the truck(s) work, or even at the roadside in an instance where such things inevitably and unfortunately happens for some of your trucks. Common Situations That Call for Fleet Tyre Replacement Tyre problems never crop up at the most opportune moment but here are a few common scenarios that signal a busy day for replacement and repair crews: Sudden punctures The classic ‘ run over a nail ’ The hole might be subtle or cause an instant loss of pressure which has a vehicle pulling up immediately. Glass, screws and bits of broken kerb are common perpetrators on the daily routes. Sidewall punctures The rim strikes a kerb, a pothole or an obstruction – and hey presto, a gash appears. Sidewalls simply cannot be repaired to a safe standard so the affected tyres have to be removed immediately. Doing so saves you from the far greater prospect of a catastrophic total tyre failure at the wheel. Blowouts Blowouts are less common but arguably one of the more dangerous problems faced by any fleet. Speeding combined with long-term wear, excessive weight loading or excessive heat can be a potent mixture that leads to a sudden and alarming tyre failure, usually on the open road. High mileage fleet operations are most vulnerable. Slow leaks You don ’ t immediately realise what ’ s happened. It can start with a puncture and, in cold weather when temperatures can drop rapidly and affect tyre pressures, it gradually becomes a problem the driver reports as a strange handling characteristic, or a low pressure warning on the dashboard. Multiple wear Across entire fleets. If your fleet travels the same roads and carries the same types of cargo, you ’ re going to be receiving a similar stream of “ worn out tyres ” reports as multiple vehicles reach their service limits. How the Fleet Tyre Fitting Process Works A call, a web booking, or via a current fleet account usually begins the process-details of the vehicle, location, and the problem, given to the provider. Almost all providers require tyre size, make of vehicle and model, and registration as initial details, to allow any technician visiting to arrive with the required stock. A fitter is then dispatched to a garage, an office or site-even the roadside-the speed of service ranging, as ever depending on provider demand, fitter availability and current booking status, though for fleet tyre fitting and replacement contract service, vehicles would typically be prioritized in order to minimize vehicle downtime. Upon attendance, a fitter's assessment whether to repair, replace or reject and change the tyre is often supported by a scan of any opposing wheel in an effort to catch early failure signs through wear. The faulty tyre is changed, and the wheel then checked prior to fitting a new replacement and re-inflating it and re-balancing the wheel. A report is subsequently passed on to fleet management to track tyre history, when to schedule replacements, and the cost of each-with any invoice being rendered via the current fleet account instead of paid individually at point of service. Through the whole operation, all that is done is to get a fleet vehicle back to the operating scene, efficiently. Signs a Fleet Vehicle May Need Urgent Tyre Attention While certain tyre issues will be evident instantly, others gradually develop over time, leading to being easily overlooked during the daily operation of a vehicle. Fleet managers and drivers both will benefit from knowing what to look for: Pulling to one side : A side-pull when a steering effort seems disproportionately heavy or when a vehicle drifts without the input from the driver indicates that the pressure has dropped in the tyre Unusual vibrations : Especially if travelling at high speed, vibrations can be an indicator that a tyre is exhibiting uneven wear or forming a bulge along the sidewall-evidence of internal structural damage Dashboard warning lights : Many fleet vehicles are equipped with an in-built TPMS, which can alert the driver immediately to dropping tyre pressure before any other symptoms or signs of the defect are noticeabl e. Unusual noises : An outward indication of a puncture that is bleeding air might be a hissing sound occurring after driving over an object, whereas a flapping or thumping sound may mean a tyre has lost pressure, while a tyre loses its pressure at speed. Visible damage : Embedded items or cuts and cracks in the sidewalls and also uneven tread wear are all indicators that a tyre is prone to failure with no prior notice Driver reports : Information from the driver on how a vehicle is behaving could identify faults at an early stage, and this is especially useful with a fleet because the vehicle will potentially be driven by numerous drivers with varying experiences. If your vehicle displays any of these then it is preferable that the vehicle is off a route and examined, rather than proceeding to breakdown off base: Mobile Fleet Tyre Fitting vs Visiting a Garage If the tyre on a fleet vehicle is experiencing issues the fleet manager most often has two options; either to contact mobile fitting service or to send vehicle to a garage. Both options can be applied depending on size of fleet and situation. Mobile fleet tyre fitting: As the technician comes to the vehicle at the depot, site or by the roadside. Avoids having to drive the vehicle with a damaged tyre (which can be unsafe, or, in the case of a puncture impossible) Minimizes the amount of time the vehicle is off the road. It avoids the need for a booking slot and prevents the vehicle being diverted from its schedule to a garage. Usually the most practical method for a fleet at one or more sites, or even individual vehicles located off site. Visiting a garage: May be more appropriate while the vehicle is still derivable , and the problem is less urgent. The garage would normally stock a wider selection of tools and equipment which would be advantageous if the problem involves more than just the tyre, for example damage to the wheel rim or alignment problems. Can offer competitive prices on bulk tyre orders, as well as other services such as the provision of a complete check over while the vehicle is already at the premises. The difference in cost between these two options is usually minimal, although they sometimes incorporate an additional call-out fee for the mobile technician due to the call out time and travelling involved. To the average fleet operators this is an acceptable difference due to minimal downtime and not having to risk running a damaged tire on the road. There is only one right answer depending on the specific needs and problem at hand. The solution required in an emergency when the vehicle cannot be moved, or a vehicle has broken down at an inconvenient location to your home/work base will certainly need an on-site technician. A replacement in which there is not an immediate need and may even be made part of regular scheduled maintenance can be dealt with at the garage, potentially at a slightly lower cost. What to Do While Waiting for Fleet Tyre Assistance So the period between when you initially call about the issue and the technician's expected arrival may feel lengthy, but here are few of measures that can keep everyone and the vehicle safe while awaiting for fleet tyre fitting and replacement. First off find a safe parking space. Position your vehicle well off moving traffic by pulling onto a hard shoulder or lay-by or entirely off the main carriageway where possible. Once safely in position turn on your hazards and display a warning triangle behind the vehicle, if this can be done with adequate safety. On motorways get to the hard shoulder immediately and disembark the vehicle from the side that does not face oncoming traffic and then move behind safety barriers rather than leaning against the vehicle's body work. While you are waiting, ascertain the vehicle's accurate location using either, or a nearest recognizable landmark, preferably using what3words; along with the vehicle's registration and the correct tyre size if readily available. Stay seen. You especially need to be visible after dark. Wear a high visibility vest that hopefully you keep in your vehicle and make sure you have plenty of battery charge remaining on your phone to both keep in touch with the assistance provider and fleet office. Above all else remain calm, resist any temptation to use any 'temporary fix' like driving off on a significantly flat tyre a waiting technician will almost certainly have a more proficient repair planned. Safety Precautions During a Fleet Tyre Emergency The way in which a driver reacts in the critical first few minutes is just as important as a subsequent fit of fleet tyre or replacement Remaining calm, easing of the throttle gently instead of braking sharply, or wheel movement is very likely to produce a result which offers more control. Decide where to stop. A soft verge, quiet side street, or yard depot may be available, rather than a bend, junction, or tight area with little forward visibility. Failing this, move as far off the flow of traffic as possible. Visibility must improve the danger is over). Turn hazard lights on, and when possible/dark wear high visibility vest, and place warning triangle some way behind the vehicle. Passengers/crew should get out and take cover well off the carriageway and out of traffic (i.e. Behind a guard rail etc. Rather than inside or directly adjacent to the parked vehicle. In a busy environment and on a busy road do not examine or even attempt to repair, if one is possible. Wait at a safe distance for assistance to arrive where it can be left to a professional, technicians fitted, that way there are no more dangers How Long Fleet Tyre Fitting Usually Takes Firstly, one of the main advantages of using an expert tyre fitting service for a fleet is the time-saving that it provides since every moment one vehicle is out of action represents wasted time for the business. The total time required can be divided into two sections: one being the travel time before help arrives at the scene and two being the time to complete the actual job. Response time (help arriving): Areas or locations within developed areas with many available technicians: typically 30 minutes to an hour. Rural areas, or peak times (e.g., an icy spell, and multiple vehicles requiring attention) which may extend up to 2 hours or beyond When you make the appointment, the service provider normally gives you a window in which the technician will arrive. Fitting time (once on site): A simple tyre replacement if they have the correct Tyre on board and the wheel itself is fit for re-fitting will take on average between twenty to forty minutes. This will entail taking the existing Tyres off the wheel, fitting new ones,balancing the wheel (important) and checking it has air inside before leaving, to the Technician. Fleet visits will naturally take longer if they cover more than one vehicle, or the vehicles requires more than one Tyre change, however many good suppliers can often visit a site and change more than one vehicle without lengthy delays Factors that can extend this time: Wheel damage caused by something such as a deep pothole and would require checks before a new tyre could be fitted and work proceed. Locking wheel nuts for which a key is not present. Uncommon tyre sizes. Limited access to wheel on the vehicle i.e. Some vans, trucks and so on. The full process of an average fleet tyre fitting, the original call through to the vehicle back in service normally taking one to two hours per vehicle, and regular routine programmed visits can usually encompass several vehicles in one site visit to minimize costs. Choosing a Reliable Fleet Tyre Fitting Provider Selection of an appropriate service provider has more implication when it comes to safety, cost effectiveness for numerous fleets which depend on the one common fleet service, confirming availability at the earliest, as true fleet tyre service provider should operate not just within office hours but 24x7, as breakdown will not co-operate with the working schedule of a fleet. Apart from availability, there must be rapid responsiveness of a service provider as well as they are aware on their accessibility in terms of response time to a location with sufficient data and evidence from customer references or an already engaged fleets report back whether they offer value on terms of their service response time estimation. Coverage area has been another factor that should be confirmed especially when any fleet vehicle is present in diverse location or travel extensive area where they might face breakdown away from head office It's about confirming price transparency so call out charge, tyre charge and the cost to manage accounting by having any such fleet account and also have varied collection of brands and tyre types which suit for the requirements with well-trained and insured mechanics to assist most of the fleet vehicles at one place; and lastly, checking how a service provider takes care of enduring fleet relationship, which includes better record keeping, handling accounts and precise tracking the past history in terms of usage and placement of a fleet vehicle will be a much greater indication of its reliability than a single call out. Preventing Future Fleet Tyre Problems Fleet tyre fitting and replacement is a handy back-up but a small number of constant maintenance habits will see a reduction in most tyre-related breakdowns. A periodic check of tyre pressures across all the fleet vehicles means wear will be uneven, they will generate too much heat and then fail as a blow out, particularly for long distance or loaded vehicles. The wear on a vehicle's tread is equally important; the legal minimum in the UK is 1.6mm but a tyre will work better long before it gets to that point and can easily be checked with a 20p. Visual inspections on any vehicle should also become 'proactive' rather than 'reactive', highlighting cracks or bulges, embedded stones, for instance, before any puncture occurs- especially if driving a long journey shortly afterwards. Regular tyre rotations will spread wear even between pairs of tyres, as front and rear tyres will wear at different rates depending on the type of drive/payload carried. Even drivers play a role; violent braking, corners taken tightly and large obstacles on the road should be avoided; driver training can be well worth investing. Lastly, by keeping detailed records of what history your tyres have and a trustworthy service provider is available at the other end of the line will mean far less risk.