Is a TPMS Worth it for Trucks?

Your tyres are doing more than just rolling down the highway - they’re carrying the full weight of your truck and your load. When something goes wrong, it rarely gives much warning and the consequences can be costly.

A Truck TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) gives you real-time visibility of what’s happening on each tyre from the moment the truck leaves. It alerts you to pressure loss or dangerous temperature increases before they turn into blowouts, roadside breakdowns or premature tyre wear. For fleets, that visibility can mean fewer unexpected downtime events, lower maintenance costs and more predictable operations.

That said, TPMS cost money - and truck TPMS kits are a bigger upfront investment than car systems. With multiple axles, more tyres and heavier-duty components, the price tag can make some operators pause and ask the obvious question: Is it really worth it?

To answer that properly, we can’t just look at the cost of the system itself. We have to look at the cost of not having one - tyre replacements, increased fuel consumption, additional downtime, etc. When you start adding those up, the real value of TPMS becomes much clearer.

So let’s break it down and see what a TPMS can actually save you - and whether it earns its place on your truck or across your fleet.

Fuel Costs

Fuel is one of the biggest and most unpredictable operating expenses for any truck or fleet. Prices fluctuate and small inefficiencies quickly add up when vehicles are covering thousands of kilometres every week.

One of the most overlooked contributors to fuel waste is incorrect tyre pressure. Underinflated tyres create higher rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder just to keep the truck moving. In real-world conditions, it can increase fuel consumption by up to 5%.

Based on this, for a truck consuming around 500 litres per week, at an average fuel cost of $1.70 per litre, that equates to a saving of roughly $42 per week. Over a year, that’s more than $2,000 saved in fuel alone - effectively covering the cost of a quality truck TPMS kit in about 12 months.

And that’s just fuel. When fuel savings are combined with the other cost areas TPMS helps reduce, the system often starts delivering a positive return in a matter of months - not years.

Tyre Wear

Tyres are one of the most expensive consumables on a truck and once they’re fitted, the clock starts ticking. Every kilometre driven with incorrect tyre pressure quietly shortens their lifespan - often without any visible warning until it’s time to replace them sooner than expected.

Maintaining correct tyre pressure has a direct and measurable impact on tyre life. Industry data shows that properly inflated truck tyres can deliver up to 15% more mileage. In simple terms, that’s the equivalent of getting 15% more value out of every tyre you buy.

At an average cost of $300 per tyre, a typical 14-tyre truck represents around $4,200 in rubber on the road at any given time. A 15% improvement in tyre life equates to roughly $630 saved per truck over the life of those tyres. Spread across a typical six-year tyre lifespan, that’s over $100 per truck, per year in avoided replacement costs.

And unlike fuel savings, which can fluctuate with prices, tyre wear savings are generally consistent and predictable.

Time Savings

Time is money - especially in trucking. Every minute a truck spends off the road is revenue lost, and even routine maintenance tasks like checking tyre pressure quietly add up.

Manually checking each tyre on a fully loaded truck typically takes 20-30 minutes. For a fleet that performs this check once every two weeks, that’s 25 inspections per year. At an average of 20 minutes per check, you’re looking at over 8 hours per truck annually just spent on tyre pressure checks. And that’s just for one vehicle. Multiply that across a fleet of 20, 50 or 100 and the lost hours become a significant operational cost.

With a TPMS, all of that monitoring happens automatically in real time. You get instant alerts for low pressure or temperature spikes without ever needing to leave the cab. This frees up drivers and workshop staff to focus on driving, deliveries and other value-adding tasks.

Downtime

Downtime is one of the costliest issues in trucking. A single breakdown can often mean more than just repairs. It could result in lost deliveries, missed deadlines and operators sitting idle while revenue slips away.

Tyre issues are consistently one of the leading causes of truck breakdowns. Without proper monitoring, even routine wear or slow leaks can escalate into blowouts or roadside stoppages.

For fleets of vehicles, a TPMS becomes a preventative cost-control system that can save thousands of dollars per vehicle while simultaneously keeping your fleet moving efficiently.

Conclusion

For trucks and fleets, decisions often come down to efficiency, cost control and safety. A Truck TPMS delivers on all three fronts. It helps reduce operating expenses, save labour hours and improve safety for drivers, other motorists and pedestrians alike.

While the upfront cost of a TPMS kit may seem significant, the savings add up. Beyond the financial benefits, it also provides peace of mind knowing your trucks are operating safely and efficiently, 24/7.