Overheating Problems on Semi Trailer Tyres: Causes, Warning Signs & Prevention

Why semi trailer tyres overheat during long hauls and heavy loads — the hidden mechanical, thermal and operational factors that trigger blowouts and wheel-end failures.

📅 Published on 2025-12-17 | ✍️ Semi Trailer News Technical Desk

Image: Wheel-end and tyre overheating during long-haul operations

Tyre overheating is one of the most dangerous problems in road transport. A hot tyre is more than a temperature issue — it is the first warning sign of a possible blowout, wheel-end fire or catastrophic brake failure.

Semi trailer tyres operate under extreme conditions: high loads, long distances, braking cycles, uneven roads and climate stress. When something goes wrong, temperature rises fast.

🔥 1. Incorrect Tyre Pressure – The #1 Heat Generator

Running tyres underinflated or overinflated drastically increases heat. Underinflation is especially dangerous because:

• Sidewall flexing increases internal friction
• Rolling resistance increases → more heat
• Tyre shoulders overheat and delaminate

Recommended practice: Measure tyre pressure when cold, not after 1 hour on the road.

🔥 2. Overloaded Axles or Uneven Load Distribution

Even if the total payload is legal, poor loading can overload a single axle or tyre. This causes:

• Rapid heat buildup on overloaded positions
• Uneven tyre wear patterns
• High risk of blowouts during downhill braking

🔥 3. Dragging Brakes & Seized Components

If brakes do not fully release, the wheel-end becomes a furnace. Common hidden causes:

• Stuck service brake chamber
• Faulty automatic slack adjuster
• EBS modulation errors
• Worn S-cam bushings

When brakes drag, even the best tyres will overheat in minutes.

🔥 4. Long Descents & Poor Braking Technique

Long mountain routes are notorious for tyre temperature spikes. If drivers brake continuously rather than using engine braking and brake bursts:

• Drums and discs overheat
• Heat transfers directly into the wheel and tyre
• Tyre temperature can reach critical levels in minutes

🔥 5. Wrong Tyre Type for the Route

17.5”, 19.5” and 22.5” tyres behave differently:

• Smaller tyres rotate more → more heat
• Off-road tyres handle heat better but wear faster
• High-speed tyres require controlled load and pressure

Choosing the wrong tyre creates unnecessary thermal stress.

🔥 6. Rim, Wheel-End or Bearing Problems

A damaged rim or a failing bearing can heat up the tyre from the inside out. Visual signs:

• Blue or brown discoloration on hubs
• Grease leakage from hub caps
• Vibration during low-speed rotation

🧊 Heat Risk Calculator

🏁 Conclusion

Tyre overheating is never random. It is always the result of thermal stress, mechanical drag or operational mistakes. Fleets that monitor tyre pressure, load distribution, brake condition and wheel-end temperature dramatically reduce:

• Blowouts
• Downtime
• Fire risks
• Unplanned repair costs

Heat is a warning — and ignoring it is expensive.

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