STRATHMORE, Alta. – It’s the only part of your vehicle that actually touches the road, so it stands to reason that tires would be an important consideration for any fleet or owner/operator.

With tire manufacturers constantly striving to improve their products and gain an edge on their competition, there’s a wide array of choices available to truck drivers and fleet managers.

Truck News visited the Husky truck stop in Strathmore, Alta. to see what Western truckers look for in a set of tires.

Not surprisingly, everyone had a firm opinion on the matter, and many had loyal ties to one manufacturer or another.

Helmut Hirsch pulled his Volvo into the Husky on his way to recover a flipped forklift in Cluny, Alta.

The owner/operator driving for King’s Towing and Recovery says wear is the most important consideration for him.

“I put a lot of thought into the tires I put on my truck,” says Hirsch. “We haul equipment and vehicles so it’s pretty important to have good wear.”

The Calgary-based O/O currently has Michelin XZA2 steer tires on his rig.

Rick Newman was fuelling up after a long day’s work hauling limestone when we caught up to him at the Husky. The owner/operator hauling for his own company, Newman Bulk Systems, says he opts for tires that offer the best grip.

“I do off-road hauling so they need to be good in gravel, mud and snow,” says Newman, who currently runs Michelin steer tires and Goodyear caps on the drive axles.

The Strathmore native says that despite putting the best tires on his rig, he still occasionally gets stuck in his yard.

Canmore, Alta.-based owner/operator, Sven Watterodt was preparing to return to Canmore after hauling a load of straw.

When it comes time to invest in new tires, Watterodt looks for the best value available.

“I want to get some mileage out of them for one thing,” says the owner of Sven’s Trucking. “I also look at price to a certain point.”

While he’s always looking for a bargain, Watterodt won’t sacrifice quality. He currently favors Michelin tires as his brand of choice.

As a company driver for Bow River Grain, Richard McAleer doesn’t have a lot of say when it comes to the tires on the Pete he drives around Alberta. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect him. He was fuelling up in Strathmore while looking for the nearest tire store after blowing one of his trailer tires on the highway moments before.

“These days when you buy the trailer, your tires depend on the manufacturer of the trailer,” says McAleer, noting the tire he just blew was an original that came with the grain bunker.

Regina-based Day & Ross driver, Ryan Durant, was heading back home for some rest when he pulled into the Husky for a coffee refill. He says tires are an important consideration.

“Wearability is the big thing to consider,” says Durant, who hauls basically any freight that needs to be moved with his company’s Mack. “I like the Bridgestones,” he adds.