Many drivers mill down the semi-wheels to change their looks, angles, and performance. It increases the lifespan and performance of tires to provide maximum stability.
How Much Does It Cost To Mill Down Semi Wheels? The cost to mill down semi-wheels is from $250 to $850 per tire, $500 to $1700 for a pair, $1400 for milling four tires, and 18 wheels milling costs $4500 to $15300. However, this price depends on the tread thickness, semi-wheel manufacturing material, sizes, and mechanic charges.
Their rims are large-sized, and their tread has a variable depth than the standard options and requires professional assistance and more handling. Professional mechanics can mill down the semi-wheels more efficiently because they are large-sized.
What is the average cost to mill down semi-wheels?
Several drivers mill down the semi-wheels to resize them. However, it is a technical procedure, and a small mistake can damage the wheel permanently.
Professional mechanics can remove the rubber material from the upper side of the tread. Then, they resize the tires and alter their shapes for better performance and improved life expectancy.
It is a refinishing procedure that includes rubber removal and cutting the tread into stripes for better resistance to air drag. Refinishing can improve the tire’s performance, appearance, and stability on different roads.
In addition, the procedure is complicated and involves specific equipment for resizing the tread and tires. The equipment is a lathe or a specific miller that can cut rigid rubber of different thicknesses.
Removing the rubber pieces provides a smooth and appealing look to the treads. However, their millers are machines that work electrically and utilize a cutter.
The cutter is sharp to remove a specific rubber portion from the tread. Professional mechanics can perform this resizing and refinishing procedure in the workshops and garages.
Also, the procedure is complicated and consumes several hours because the semi-wheels have different sizes and require variable refinishing.
The average cost to mill down the wheel of a semi-truck is about $250 to $850 per tire. However, the price varies according to the semi-wheel size, tread thickness, type, and labor charges.
The number of hours and effort determine the total cost of the procedure. The average cost of milling down a pair of semi-wheels is $500 to $1700.
The professional labor and mechanics can mill down two pairs of semi-wheels for $1000 to $3400. Also, the semi-trucks are large trailers with about 18 tires.
Milling down all of them makes the procedure so expensive. The average cost of milling down 18 wheels is about $4500 to $15300.
The high-end, thick, and large tires have a high cost to mill down because of their shapes and dimensions.
Factors that affect the cost to mill down semi wheels
The 18-wheelers are large-sized with a trailer and heavy load-carrying capacity because of their designs. The following factors affect the cost to mill down the wheels of semi-trucks.
Thickness of the tire treads
The semi-trucks have 18 wheels with thick treads and specific depth. However, the US Department of Transportation recommends a tread depth of 1.6 millimeters (2/32 inches) for them because it is the standard depth.
A few semi-trucks have different tread depths for improved performance of the tires. The depth of 6/32 inches is better for semi-trailers because it provides better stability and traction.
Increased tread depth makes the milling down procedure complicated and increases the cost. Furthermore, removing the thick rubber tread pieces is more complex and consumes several hours.
Excessive time consumption makes the procedure expensive. The thick semi-wheels require more effort, time, and tools for milling procedures, which results in the high cost of the method.
Variable mechanic charges
The mechanics demand different charges to mill down the semi-wheels of semi-trailers because of their specific work policies. Furthermore, the location of workshops varies, which affects the charges for professional services.
The mechanic demands extra charges when you do not provide them with transportation.
A few workshops charge higher than the others, and you can check their costs. The charges of milling are higher in remote and populated areas because of the increased demand and use of technologically advanced millers.
Sometimes, the mechanics provide cleaning and refinishing services after milling the wheels down, which increases the procedure cost.
Manufacturing material of tires
Semi-trucks have different types of wheels with variable manufacturing materials. A few have steel-based semi-wheels with durable performance and stable efficiency.
However, others have aluminum-based rims because of their manufacturing properties. Their variable types can increase or reduce the total cost of the procedure.
Milling down steel-based semi-wheels is more expensive than the other category. Milling the aluminum semi-wheel treads is less costly because it requires less effort and time.
Different tire sizes
The semi-trailers have 18 wheels, and the manufacturing companies install four axles on these large-sized trucks. They have different sizes of wheels according to their manufacturing standards.
However, they comprise 295/74R22.5 inches (22 inches) semi-wheels because of the standard manufacturing designs.
A few have 22.5-inch ties (275/70R22.5), and some semi-wheels have dimensions of 19.5 inches (225/70R19.5).
Their sizes vary from one year model to another and have compatibility for the semi-trailers and their frames.
Milling down large-sized semi-wheels requires more force, time, and effort, which makes the procedure expensive.
Why would you mill down the semi-wheels?
Milling is a procedure to resize, cut and reshape the wheels for better performance and long shelf life. You can mill down the tires of your semi-trailer due to the following reasons.
Better aerodynamics
You can cut the wheel tread of your semi-trucks into strips for better aerodynamic properties. Their resistance to air drags increases which boosts the speed level.
These tread strips can resist wind drag, which improves their aerodynamic properties and stabilize them during various driving conditions.
The improvement in aerodynamics makes them stable and efficient on smooth and bumpy surfaces.
Their designs simplify, and they can withstand more air drag and resistance. Removal of tread pieces increases the wheel surface area and improves their aerodynamics.
Changing the wheel size
Milling down the semi-trailer wheels means resizing them for better performance on various roads. The milling cutter is sharp and can tear the rubber tread.
It can decrease the wheel size and changes the angles. The modified angles provide a three-dimensional look to the wheels.
Resizing them can increase the gap between the road and semi-trailer undercarriage. It improves the frame’s safety from sudden dents caused by road bumps.
The 18-wheelers become more stable on rough terrains while you modify their sizes through the milling-down procedures.
Smooth driving and better speed
The milling down procedures of the semi-trailer wheels remove tiny pieces of tread from the upper side. It makes their surface smooth and efficient because the tread becomes more streamlined.
The tread can reduce air drag and enhances the semi-truck fuel economy. The procedure can increase the life expectancy of the wheels and reduce their internal damage and cracks.
Therefore, they remain stable for several years without significant cracks and do not require frequent repairs. They have a better shelf life which reduces their replacements.
Improved looks
The tire milling of the 19-wheeler increases their appearance and makes them stylish. Their surface becomes smooth to resist air drag, and they look appealing.
The milling tools can remove the rubber pieces and deformities from the tread to make it smooth. It provides refinishing to their surface and enhances their looks.
You can mill down semi wheels to make them look more appealing, and they can last longer than their standard life expectancy. Also, they make your truck attractive with their three-dimensional angles and finished looks.
They become more stable and do not undergo cracks and internal damage. The 18-wheelers become more attractive when the tires undergo refinishing procedures.
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