BUSTING THE MYTH: RETREAD COSTS AND FLEET SAVINGS
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The cost of a retread tire is usually between 30 and 50 percent of the comparable new tire price
- The savings from retread tires should be considered part of the overall tire investment
UNDERSTANDING RETREAD TIRES
To see how you and your fleet can benefit from retread tires, it is important to understand exactly what retread tires are and how they differ from new tires.
Retread tires, also known as remolded or recapped tires, are remanufactured through a process where the worn tread is removed from an out-of-service tire casing and a new tread is affixed to help extend the life of the tire. The tire casing is the entire body of the tire that doesn’t include the tread and belt system. Nearly one-half of all replacement tires in the North American truck tire market are retreads, and for good reasons.
Learn more about why you should buy a retread tire.
HOW MUCH DO RETREAD TIRES COST?
The cost savings of purchasing retread tires can be explained by the process involved to produce them. Most of the manufacturing cost of a new tire is in the tire body or casing. The tread (the portion of the tire that meets the road) represents only a percentage of the new tire cost. This means that the cost of a retread tire is usually between 30 and 50 percent of the comparable new tire price.
RETREADS PROVIDE LONG TERM RETURN
The cost of the retread tire should not be the only consideration when calculating the cost of a retread program. By using retreaded tires, the commercial trucking industry saves over $3 billion each year. Retreading is an effective way to lower your fleet costs due to the following benefits.
LONGER WEAR
Retreading lengthens the lifetime value of a tire and provides longer wear than new tires can offer. You can expect today’s new breed of Bandag retreads to perform equal to, if not better than, a quality new tire. A quality retread delivers mileage on par with many new tires. If a casing can be retreaded more than once it will deliver even longer wear.
FEWER NEW TIRE PURCHASES
Opting for retreads can save a fleet from the cost associated with buying net new tires every year for a large portion of their fleet. The cost of the retreads will also be less and ultimately the number of tires you purchase will be lower over the lifetime of your trucks.
SAME PERFORMANCE YOU EXPECT
The latest commercial retreads come with the same performance you expect from a new tire along with the same quality level of support from Bandag. When combined with a proactive tire management program, retreading allows you to maximize your initial investment by extending the service life of tires after the tread is worn.
COMPARABLE FUEL MILEAGE
Retread tires can provide similar or better fuel efficiency than new tires. Bandag SmartWay® verified FuelTech retreads are among the lowest rolling resistance retreads available, providing some of the best fuel efficiency available from retreads. Retread a fuel-efficient casing with FuelTech and the benefits go even further.
Learn additional ways to lower your fleet cost.
HOW MUCH DO BANDAG RETREAD TIRES COST?
Retread tire cost depends on the application and number of tires. Use our Savings Calculator to see just how much you could save using retread tires or, if you're ready to buy, find a Bandag dealer near you.
When it comes to the construction of your retread tires, Bandag brings quality retreads to the road. With almost double the market share of our nearest competitors, there’s no bigger name in retreads. More fleets come to use for leading products, expert advice and unrivaled service.
Bandag tires are backed by a Bridgestone Enhanced Casing Warranty. All quality tire casings include a limited warranty* that guarantees the retreadability of the casing. An exclusive limited warranty covers select Bridgestone-brand premium commercial tires and casings for 7 years and unlimited retreading when retreaded with the Bandag process. Having that piece of mind adds to the value of the tire.