How to Rotate Tires on a Dually: 9 Rotation Patterns You Didn’t Know!
Are you a struggling owner who is looking for how to rotate tires on a dually? If you’re facing difficulties maintaining tire wear and maximizing the longevity of your dually tires, you’re in the right place!
Tire rotation is crucial for any vehicle, especially dually trucks. These heavy-duty vehicles are designed to handle substantial loads, and their unique tire configuration demands specialized maintenance.
So, let’s learn about the different patterns of dually tire rotation that prolong their lifespan. We’ll also look at the benefits of each and the tire position involved. Therefore, continue reading!
Table of Contents
How to Rotate Tires on a Dually: 4-Step Procedure Explained
Here’s a detailed explanation of each step to rotate the tires on a dually truck in four simple steps:
Step 1. Ensure that the Vehicle is Parked on a Level Ground
Finding a level and stable area to park before starting the rotation process is important. This ensures safety and stability during the procedure. Here’s how to do that:
- Find a flat, stable surface, such as a driveway or parking lot, where you can safely do the tire rotation.
- Engage the parking brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling while you’re working on it.
- Turn off the engine and remove the keys from the ignition for added safety.
Step 2. Elevate the Automobile using a Jack
To access the tires easily and safely, you need to lift the dually truck off the ground using a jack. Let’s look closer at it:
- Locate the jack points by referring to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to identify the appropriate jack points on your truck.
- Place the jack under the designated jack points on one side of the truck.
- Use the jack handle or a suitable tool to raise the truck until both tires are off the ground on a dually of that side.
- Place jack stands under the truck’s frame to provide additional support and prevent the vehicle from falling.
Step 3. Rotate The Tires
This step involves changing the position of each tire to ensure even wear and extend its lifespan.
- Use a wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the first wheel you want to rotate.
- Carefully lift it off the hub and set it aside.
- Follow your vehicle’s manual’s recommended dually tire rotation pattern. Generally, you can rotate the front tires to the outer rear tires and vice versa.
- Place the rotated wheel onto the hub and hand-tighten the lug nuts as much as possible.
- Use the jack to lower the truck slowly until the wheel touches the ground.
- At last, use a lug wrench, and tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure proper and even torque.
Step 4. Revert Back to the Initial Position
Once you’ve rotated the tires on one side of the truck, you must repeat the process for the other side.
- To lift the other side of dually tires, follow the same procedure mentioned in Step 2
- Go through the process described in Step 3 to rotate the tires on the second side.
- Use the star pattern to lower the truck carefully and tighten the lug nuts on the second side.
- Remove the jack stands from both sides of the truck.
- Tighten the nuts.
Recommended Frequency for Tire Rotation on a Dually Vehicle
The frequency of dually wheels rotation may vary depending on factors such as driving conditions, tire type, and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
While there isn’t a specific time applicable to all dually trucks, rotating tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles or every six months is generally recommended, whichever comes first. Here’s why you should do it:
- Tire rotation intervals ensure even wear across all tires.
- Regular rotation helps extend tire life and maintain proper traction.
- Allows for redistribution of tire wear.
- Increases the gas mileage.
Super Single Tires vs Dually Tires
Super single tires use a single wide tire on each rear axle of a vehicle. Contrarily, dual tires or dually tires use two tires mounted side by side. Let’s see the pros and cons of the duo:
- They increase load-carrying capacity for heavy-duty vehicles.
- Improves stability and traction, especially in challenging road conditions.
- Enhances safety due to better handling and control.
- Gives better heat dissipation, reducing the risk of tire blowouts.
- They are costlier and difficult to maintain.
- Super single tires weigh less than dual wheels, resulting in potential fuel savings and increased payload capacity.
- With a single tire on each axle, they offer better maneuverability, making them suitable for tight spaces and urban driving.
- They have wider tread patterns, providing increased traction.
- Saves money on maintenance and replacement.
- They provide less stability, particularly on wet roads or when carrying heavy loads.
9 Different Dually Tire Rotation Patterns Explained!
Now, let’s take a closer look at dually tires rotation patterns:
1. Circular Rotation Pattern
It is a tire rotation method where the tires are moved circularly. The pattern involves moving from one tire to another in either a clockwise or counterclockwise motion.
For dually wheels, a circular rotation pattern is frequently utilized, which can assist in reducing uneven tire wear and extend tire life. Here’s how you can do it:
- Before beginning the rotation, determine the starting position of each tire on your dually truck.
- The front driver’s side tire should first be moved to the rear driver’s side position either clockwise or counterclockwise.
- Now, rotate the tire from the rear driver’s side to the rear passenger’s side.
- Next, transfer the dual rear wheels from the passenger’s side to the driver’s side.
2. Directional Tire Rotation Pattern
This pattern involves maintaining the tires on the same side of the car while moving them from front to back. A directional tire rotation is frequently utilized for cars with directional tread tires, where the tread pattern is made to perform best in one direction. Let’s see how to do it:
- Park your dually truck in the starting position.
- Move the front tires straight back to the rear dual wheels.
- Now make an X pattern with the outside rear tires by crossing them to the front places on the same side of the car.
- If necessary, repeat the rotational pattern at regular intervals.
3. Side To Side Rotation
This procedure includes transferring tires from one side of the vehicle to the opposite side in a lateral rotation. It is frequently used when tires have differing wear styles or when one side of the car is under higher stress. Read on to learn how to do it:
- Get into the starting position.
- Relocate your front right tire to the rear right position on the opposite side of the vehicle.
- After that, shift the front left tire to the other side of the car.
- In the same way, proceed to rare tires. Move the rear right tire to the front right on the opposite side and vice versa.
4. Four Matching Steel Rims on Rear Axle
The rotation pattern for vehicles equipped with four matching outer and inner rims on the rear axle involves moving the tires from front to back while keeping them on the same side of the vehicle.
It is specifically applied to vehicles with four steel rims on the rear axle. Here’s how to do it:
- Determine the initial positions of each tire on your vehicle.
- Move the front tires straight back to the inner rear wheels on the same side of the vehicle.
- Take the rear tires and cross them to the front positions on the same side.
5. Inner Steel and Outer Aluminum Wheels
Vehicles equipped with inner steel and outer aluminum wheels involve moving the tires from front to back while considering the specific positions of the wheels. Let’s dive deeper into it:
- Begin by moving the front inner steel wheel to the inner rear steel wheels position on the same side of the vehicle.
- Then move the front outer aluminum wheel to the rear side.
- In the same way, move the rear inner steel wheel to the front position on the same side and vice versa.
6. Dually Tire Rotation with Spare
The next rotating pattern involves using a spare tire. However, when doing this method, it is important to consider its position. Here are some details about it:
- To begin, identify the desired rotation pattern for the regular tires (circular, directional, side-to-side)
- Place each tire in its proper location according to the directions.
- When you get to the spare tire’s location, choose where you should put it based on the precise rotation pattern and your spare tire’s condition.
- If the spare tire is in good condition and matches the regular tires, you can rotate it just like your regular tires.
- If the spare tire is unsuitable for regular use or differs from the regular tires (for e.g., smaller size, different tread pattern), you should leave it out of the rotation and keep it as a spare only.
7. Spare Tire Circular Pattern
In it, you need to rotate your tires in a circular motion alongside the other tires. This is how you do it:
- Determine the starting positions of each tire, including the spare tire.
- Identify the direction of the circular rotation pattern (clockwise or counterclockwise).
- Start by shifting the vehicle’s front tire to the back position on the same side.
- Continue the circular rotation by transferring the rear tire from one side to the other’s rear position.
- If you want to rotate all four spare tires, keep going with the sequence.
8. Spare Tire Directional Pattern
It entails rotating the spare tire while keeping it pointed in the right direction. This pattern is used when the spare tire has a specific tread pattern designed for a particular rotational direction.
- Identify the starting position and desired direction for rotation.
- Move the front tire to the rear position on the same side of the vehicle.
- Following the directed alignment, shift the rear tire from the same side to the rear outer wheels position on the other side.
- Repeat the rotation patterns till all the wheels are rotated.
9. Spare Tire Side-to-Side Pattern
The rotating pattern involves moving the spare tire from one side of the vehicle to the opposite. Let’s take a closer look at it:
- Start by positioning your spare tire in the rear position.
- Take the rear tire from the same side and move it to the rear position on the opposite side.
- Reposition the rear tire so that it is on the same side as the front tire.
- Continue until all the wheels are turned.
For more insights check out this helpful video.
FAQ
Is it worth rotating tires on a dually?
Yes, rotating tires on a dually is worth it. Rotating them will help promote even tire wear, extends tire life, and enhances overall performance and safety.
What is the best way to rotate truck tires?
The best way to rotate truck tires depends on various factors, including the type of truck, tire wear patterns, and manufacturer recommendations. However, one recommended rotation is a directional pattern that creates an X while rotating tires.
How do you manually rotate tires?
To manually rotate tires, you need to place your vehicle in a starting position and then use the jack to lift your vehicle. Once done, remove the lug nuts with a lug wrench and remove the tires. Lastly, move the tire to its new position based on the desired rotation pattern.
What makes a dually better?
Dually trucks offer several advantages, with two tires mounted side by side on each rear axle. Their better load-carrying capacity improved stability, and traction set them apart. Moreover, they provide better grip and are often preferred for heavy-duty applications.
Conclusion
Understanding how to rotate tires on a dually is essential for maintaining tire wear and maximizing their lifespan. You can ensure an even distribution of wear by using the recommended rotation patterns.
Each pattern offers its advantages and considerations, tailored to suit different needs. Therefore, choose the rotation pattern wisely, whether circular or side-to-side.
Remember to put extra effort into correctly rotating your tires for a smoother and safer ride. So, considering its benefits, let us know which rotating pattern you’ll try! We’ll love to see your recommendations in the comments.
I`m a current Law Enforcement Officer working within the Counterterrorism Bureau in New York State. I have been Camping for over 20 years. My styles of camping include tent, car, truck, van, and RV travel trailer. I have a YouTube channel where I teach all types of camping with an entertaining method: https://youtube.com/@TheSmallsRVAdventures
