Reducing Blowouts, Costs, and Downtime with Smart Tire Monitoring

Waste hauling is one of the most demanding sectors in commercial trucking. Routes are fixed, stops are frequent, and environments—like landfills, alleys, job sites, commercial lots, and even railyards—pose significant hazards to tires. Whether it’s maneuvering through debris-laden back lots or crossing railroad tracks in dense urban areas, the terrain can be unforgiving, especially for underinflated tires. In such high-stress conditions, even minor mechanical failures can quickly escalate into costly downtime. That’s why one waste hauling fleet implemented Doran 360HD™ Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) across 60 of their vehicles—with powerful results.

The Field Trial: A Real-World Test of TPMS Impact

Over 12 months, Doran 360HD™ TPMS was installed on a mix of side-load, rear-load, and recycling trucks. Prior to installation, the fleet provided a year of baseline data on tire repair, maintenance, and replacement. The post-installation year was then analyzed in comparison.

The outcome? Clear evidence of enhanced safety, reliability, and ROI:

• 204 fewer tires replaced, a 14.2% reduction
• 57.1% fewer blowouts (70 down to 30)
• $9,257 saved in labor costs
• Fleet tire check labor dropped by 40.3% ($14,194 in savings)

These statistics underscore a major shift—from reactive maintenance to proactive, data-driven decisions.

Why TPMS Made Such a Difference

Tires in waste hauling fleets are subjected to punctures, low tread from uneven surfaces, valve stem leaks, and landfill debris. Without a monitoring system, these problems are often caught only after failure occurs.

Doran’s TPMS alerted operators and fleet managers to issues like:

• Gradual air loss from worn valve stems
• Sudden pressure drops from road debris
• Heat buildup from underinflated tires under heavy loads

With this visibility, maintenance teams could address issues in the yard—not on the road. This shift led to a dramatic increase in preventive actions, such as:

• Airing up tires (from 31 to 277 instances)
• Tightening valve stems (from 35 to 61 instances)

Operational Benefits Beyond Cost Savings

While the savings in tire replacements and labor were substantial, the value extended further:

1. Fewer Road Calls
   The number of tire-related road calls dropped 15.5%, minimizing interruptions to waste collection schedules and reducing driver wait times.
   
2. Extended Tread Life
   Tires replaced for “low tread” dropped by 144 instances, indicating that proper pressure maintained tread integrity over time.
   
3. Improved Driver Awareness
   Knowing that the TPMS tracked date/time stamps on tire issues prompted drivers to report problems early, creating a culture of accountability and communication.
   
4. Predictable ROI
   The fleet saw a projected return on investment in just over 8 months. This fast payback period makes TPMS a compelling option for fleets of any size.
   
5. Heat Mitigation for High-Stress Routes
   Stop-and-go routes in urban environments generate significant heat buildup—especially dangerous when paired with underinflated tires. Heat stress on waste hauler tires can lead to blowouts or, in extreme cases, thermal events like tire fires. With real-time temperature monitoring, the Doran 360HD™ TPMS gives drivers and fleet managers early warnings, helping to prevent these high-risk scenarios and keeping trucks safe and operational.
   

TPMS: A Smart Investment for Waste Fleets

Waste hauling is hard on tires. Repeated curb impacts, sharp turns, variable loads, and challenging terrains mean traditional maintenance methods fall short. Real-time TPMS monitoring bridges the gap, enabling:

• Better scheduling of tire rotations and replacements
• Immediate response to emerging issues
• Historical trend analysis to improve future maintenance

In this trial, nearly two-thirds of trucks replaced fewer tires than the year before. That’s not just a win for budgeting, but also for uptime, safety, and resource efficiency.

Ready to Transform Your Maintenance Strategy?

Whether you're running a municipal waste operation or a private fleet, TPMS isn't just a cost-saver; it's a strategic upgrade to your operations. Proactive tire management reduces liability, improves performance, and strengthens fleet reliability.

Contact Doran today to learn more about how Doran 360HD™ can help your fleet run cleaner, safer, and smarter.