Working on OTR tires is certainly outside the normal realm of tire and wheel service. The size and weight of the tires, rim components, bead breakers, and other tools and equipment add a physical element to every job that cannot be understated.

This year marked my 37th in the tire industry. I started what seems like a century ago, at age 15, stacking tires when I wasn’t cleaning whitewalls at our family tire dealership. By the time I was 18, I was running road service calls all over the Chicagoland area.

The future of the automotive aftermarket is definitely unpredictable, but there are ways that independent tire dealers can start preparing today for the evolution that is coming tomorrow.

Given all of the hazards associated with roadside tire service, it still only represents about half the risk for commercial tire dealers. Yes — you read that correctly — half the risk.

In this Modern Tire Dealer exclusive, Kevin Rohlwing covers the risks of road service. He says technicians take too many unnecessary chances when they don't exercise their right to have the driver move the vehicle. 

If you asked a group of business owners what causes them to lose the most sleep at night, I’m willing to bet that a lot of them would say the fear of being named in a lawsuit is always in the back of their mind. Even though the company has insurance to cover the litigation costs, the thought of losing everything if the award exceeds the coverage is terrifying for an owner.