Alternative to Manual Tyres Checks For Trucks & Fleets

Managing your truck and trailer tyres can be a challenging task that requires a proactive mindset. This is especially the case if you have a large fleet and thousands of tyres to worry about. Tyre maintenance has traditionally relied on manual inspections - checking pressures with gauges, using physical inspection and hoping nothing slips through the cracks. Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) takes the guesswork out of this job. Whether you're running multi-trailer combinations, road trains or an entire fleet, it makes every job safer and smoother.

By delivering real-time data into tyre pressure and temperature across every truck and trailer wheel, TPMS eliminates guesswork, prevents costly breakdowns and improves safety - all while saving your team valuable time. For fleets of any size, this technology transforms tyre management from a chore that’s loathed into a proactive operational advantage.

Are Manual Checks Enough

Manual tyre checks have always been part of the routine. But truck tyres operate under conditions that change by the minute making it difficult for manual inspections to keep up.

1) Pressures Fluctuate Constantly

Tyre pressure isn’t a fixed number. It changes with load, speed, outside temperature and road surface conditions. A tyre that looks fine during a morning check can become problematic by day's end. Relying on manual checks can create huge blind spots.

2) Manual Checks Aren’t Consistent

Manual inspections vary from person to person. Some are thorough, others are rushed. Some checks happen properly, others may get skipped entirely - especially when schedules are tight.

3) Slow Leaks Are Almost Impossible to Detect Manually

Some tyre failures start as a slow leak. These drops are too small to notice visually and too gradual to pick up with one time gauge checks. By the time the issue is spotted, the tyre may already be compromised.

4) The Risk and Cost of Blowouts is Too High

A single blowout can wipe out hours of delivery time, reduce customer satisfaction or worse - cause an accident. For multi-trailer combinations, the risk multiplies.

5) Manual Checks Consume Valuable Time

For fleets, time is money. Manual checks across multiple vehicles and trailers take hours every week. That’s labour being spent on a task that still doesn’t guarantee accuracy or early detection.

What a TPMS Actually Does

TPMS works by placing smart sensors on each tyre across the truck and trailer set. These sensors track pressure and temperature and send this information wirelessly to a display monitor. If a tyre starts losing pressure, if heat builds up from a dragging brake or if a puncture causes rapid deflation, the TPMS instantly notifies the driver.

Visibility is given across every wheel in every position - even in long combinations. Unlike manual checks which depend on who’s doing them, TPMS provides uniform, round-the-clock monitoring that never gets tired, distracted or rushed. With it, you’ll be able to see things that might not have been imagined before:

• Flagging a pressure drop can save a tyre that costs hundreds of dollars to replace.
• Drop in tyre pressure could be the result of hitting shrapnel driving on the road - something that can’t be detected at all manually.
• Protects inner tyres that are harder to see and assess.

In each of these scenarios, TPMS isn’t just a convenience - it’s an operational safeguard. It reduces risk, eliminates guesswork and keeps trucks rolling when it matters most. For fleet owners and managers, that translates into lower costs and fewer breakdowns across the entire fleet.

Real-World Case Study Where TPMS Could Have Prevented Accidents

On October 24, 2022, a significant incident occurred on the Great Central Highway in Western Australia. A road train with two tanker trailers was transporting ammonium nitrate emulsion when it exploded. The result was force estimated to be equivalent to around 1-3 tons of TNT. It spread metal shrapnel through a wide area and created a plume of smoke reaching around 1km high. This incident, caused by a loss of air pressure led to overheating and eventually a tyre fire could have been prevented if early warning detection was there.

What This Means for Operators

In many real life scenarios, TPMS creates advantages people may not have even thought off or don’t become apparent until it’s there.

Time Saved on Routine Inspections

Manual tyre checks across multiple trucks and trailers can take hours each week. With a TPMS, that time is freed up for more productive tasks. Drivers spend less time inspecting tyres and more time on the road.

Consistent Tyre Oversight Across the Fleet

No more relying on individual drivers’ diligence or subjective checks. TPMS ensures every tyre is monitored continuously and uniformly, across every vehicle and trailer, giving you confidence that nothing is missed.

Safer, Smarter Decision-Making

When a TPMS detects an issue, operators receive instant alerts, allowing them to take action immediately. This proactive approach reduces the likelihood of blowouts, accidents, and emergency repairs.

Reduced Operational Costs

Properly inflated and monitored tyres last longer and consume less fuel. By catching issues early, a TPMS prevents premature tyre replacements and reduces fuel costs.

Peace of Mind for Fleet Managers

Instead of chasing tyre issues across the yard or relying on post-trip reports, managers have real-time insight into tyre health across the entire fleet.

Conclusion

Sticking with manual tyre checks is a risk - one that costs time, money and safety. TPMS provides real-time, continuous oversight of every tyre in your fleet - catching issues before they escalate.

Investing in a TPMS isn’t about keeping up with the trends - it’s about running a smarter, safer and more efficient operation. Less time spent on inspections, fewer unplanned stops, longer tyre life and better fuel economy all add up to measurable benefits for your fleet’s bottom line.