What variables typically exist in looking for a medium/heavy truck tire?
Depending on the wheel position (steer, drive, trailer) there are a number of key elements to be expected:
STEER:
Due to the type of demands exercised on a steer axle, such as mass transfer during braking, cornering, etc., steer tires typically have these attributes:
- 4 or 5 straight solid ribs that will support lateral forces created during normal handling, cornering and by wind drag.
- Pattern design and compound resistant to irregular wear in long/medium haul service or cut and chip resistant for on-off service.
- Tread depth balanced to deliver long tread life while delivering low rolling resistance for higher fuel efficiency.
DRIVE:
Depending on the type of operation, there are several options in tire design for a drive axle position: rib, mixed, lugs. Since in most cases high torque is required and weather conditions change from dry to wet to ice, the most common factors are:
- Pattern design with closed shoulder (shoulder ribs) for long haul service to prevent irregular wear and provide good handling. The Double Coin RLB400 is a great example of an excellent performing closed shoulder drive tire with outstanding tread wear and traction.
- Pattern design with open shoulder (shoulder lugs) for added traction capabilities. Double Coin recently introduced a new fuel-efficient open shoulder drive tire that offers biting edges across the tread to enhance grip and traction on
slippery road surfaces. The RLB452 is a great complement to the popular RLB1 open shoulder drive tire. - Deep tread for long tread life and low rolling resistance for fuel economy.
TRAILER:
Trailer tires have the slowest wear rate of all wheel positions because they: a) Do not steer the vehicle, b) Are not driven by the engine (no torque), c) Hold relatively light loads.
- Shallow tread delivers longer life and low irregular wear.
- Strong solid shoulders for strong dragging forces and scrub.
- Special compound for low rolling resistance.
We encourage you to talk to your Double Coin dealer about the right tire specs. for your operation. Getting that right will go a long way toward reducing your tire operating costs!
