Commercial truck tire demand remains relatively flat, but fleets are changing how they purchase and manage tires as operating costs rise, according to commercial tire dealers who spoke with Fleet Maintenance affiliate Modern Tire Dealer. Some are prioritizing long-term value through cost per mile, casing management and retreadability, while others are moving toward lower-priced products to control immediate expenses.

Commercial tire dealers say the divide is becoming more pronounced as fuel, insurance and other costs put pressure on fleet budgets.

“The biggest change is the level of attention customers are placing on total operating cost,” said Dan Horn, vice president of sales at McCarthy Tire Service. “Price has always mattered, but fleets today are looking much more closely at cost per mile, casing value, retreadability, fuel efficiency and overall tire performance.”

Larger fleets and national accounts generally continue to evaluate tire performance over the life of a tire program. Smaller fleets and owner-operators, however, are more likely to prioritize upfront costs as freight rates and operating expenses strain cash flow.

That pressure is extending into applications where premium tires traditionally had a stronger hold. “A larger portion is looking for the cheapest option available, even on steer tires,” Rice Tire President Brian Chase said.

Other dealers also reported increased purchases of lower-tier imported tires.

Customers are also buying closer to immediate need rather than making large-volume purchases and carrying excess inventory. Chris Watson, director of commercial sales for Commercial Tire Inc., said bulk purchases have declined as fleets manage inventory more conservatively.

Retreading gains attention

Retreading is providing another way for fleets to manage tire expenses without abandoning lifecycle cost considerations.

Several dealers reported increased retread demand in 2026, including Rice Tire, Black's Tire Service Inc., Ziegler Tire & Supply Co. and Best-One Tire & Service. Southern Tire Mart, also reported significant growth in retreading.

Retreading can provide fleets with a lower-cost alternative to purchasing new tires when casings remain suitable for another service cycle. The trend also places greater importance on casing management and selecting tires that can support multiple retreads.

Uptime drives tire service decisions

As tire costs and operating expenses rise, fleets are also placing greater emphasis on service availability, tire monitoring and reducing downtime.

“Commercial fleets increasingly value uptime, and downtime can quickly become more expensive than the tire itself,” Horn said.

McCarthy Tire continues to invest in commercial tire service, emergency road service, fleet support, technology and equipment. Other dealers are expanding roadside service and using technology to improve fleet communication and monitor tire performance.

Mike Morast, VP of commercial operations at Les Schwab Tire Centers, said data becomes valuable when dealers can act on it quickly. Having performance metrics available and responding to them immediately can help fleets control costs.

Southern Tire Mart's STM Connect platform provides fleets with service-event records that include photos, response times and pricing. The company's locations at Pilot Flying J travel centers also allow drivers to combine fueling, tire work and maintenance during one stop.

For fleets, these capabilities can make a difference when evaluating tire suppliers. Product price and performance remain important, but service coverage, response times and the ability to keep equipment operating are also part of the overall value.

With tire demand showing little movement, dealers expect those service capabilities to remain an important part of competing for fleet business.