Maintain Trucks
Everything revolves around you.
As the old saying goes, the wheel goes round and round. In the trucking industry, that's a make-it or break-it factor. If a truck or trailer's tires aren't in proper working order, they can have a serious impact on a carrier's bottom line. So if you want to see that trucks, truck-tractors and trailers are equipped with safe and properly functioning tires – and you're the type of person who never tires of tires – then maybe you should consider joining the trucking industry as a Wheel and Tire Technician.
- What would I do?
- Where would I work?
- How do I get to be a Wheel and Tire Technician?
- Where would I go from here?
- How do I get started?
What would I do?
As a Wheel and Tire Technician, you're responsible for ensuring that trucks, truck-tractors and trailers are equipped with safe tires at all times. It's your responsibility to ensure that there are no cuts, gouges or tears in the tires. You'll also be responsible for checking the tread to determine if and when the tire should be replaced.
Keeping truck, truck-tractor and trailer wheels safe and functional is an important responsibility. Why? Given the many tires on each unit or combination of units, tires can become a costly part of a company's maintenance program. That's why Tire Technicians are constantly tracking tire performance and use, often with the help of detailed computer software.
Truck and Transport Mechanics and Truck and Trailer Technicians are allowed to install wheels on trucks, truck-tractors and trailers. However, some provinces and jurisdictions require that you have a trade ticket to be a Wheel and Tire Technician, so check to see what is required where you work. If this is required in your area, then you must first gain on-the-job experience as a Tire Technician before taking the certification exam and being eligible to install wheels on commercial vehicles.
To perform well in this position, you must have excellent attention to detail, and knowledge of tire and wheel construction plus performance criteria.