Billings Tire Re-Treaders Boom With Bakken Oil

Business is on a roll for tire re-treaders keeping big trucks operating on the rough gravel roads in the Bakken oil boom region of eastern Montana and western North Dakota.

 

 

 

 

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Business is on a roll for tire re-treaders keeping big trucks operating on the rough gravel roads in the Bakken oil boom region of eastern Montana and western North Dakota.

Hi-Mile Tire Manager Al Rees says the last three years have been the busiest for servicing and selling tires he's seen in three decades.

The company ships about 250 tires a week to oil fields in peak months.

Rees says new tires cost about $600 apiece, while re-treads run about $200.

On king-sized trucks pulling four-axle trailers and needing 36 tires, using re-treads can lead to a savings of about $14,000.

Experts say trucks hauling water or oil can re-tread tires about three times, while trucks hauling lighter loads on smoother roads can do five re-treads.

(Photo Credit:  KFGO File Photo)

 

AP

   

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