It's A New Tire Bonanza

The number of truck tire announcements this spring was the most in recent memory. Most of these tires boast features such as improved fuel efficiency, longer life, better durability and retreadability.


BFGoodrich Steer, Trailer Tires

The ST244 steer tire and TR144 trailer tire feature a new sidewall design and, says the company, improve wet traction and resist irregular wear.

The ST244 features a five-rib, four-groove tread design for superior water evacuation and a decoupling groove to resist irregular wear. More than 1,900 miniature sipes are designed to deliver excellent traction and also help prevent irregular wear. The ST244 tire is available in 11R22.5, 11R24.5, 275/80R22.5 and 275/80R24.5 sizes.

The TR144 showcases see-through grooves designed to improve wet traction and offers a five-rib design to help resist irregular wear on free-rolling axles. The shoulder grooves are engineered to further improve resistance to irregular wear.

The TR144 tire is available in 11R22.5, 11R24.5, 275/80R22.5 and 275/80R24.5 sizes.

Bridgestone On/Off-Highway Drive

Bridgestone Firestone is offering U.S. fleets its new M775 on/off-highway drive radial, designed to deliver superior traction and exceptional removal mileage in severe service applications while being usable at highway speeds to 65 mph.

The aggressive block tread and open shoulder design digs into soft surfaces for traction. Angled block sipes enhance wet traction. With a tread over 1 inch deep, the M775 has tough tread compounds to combat lug base cracking, a common problem with ultra-deep drive radials. Stone rejecter platforms and computer-designed groove shapes help prevent trapped stones from pushing into the tread grooves and piercing the belt layer.

The M775 is available in three sizes: 11R22.5, 12R22.5 and 11R24.5 in "H" load ranges for a total load capacity of over 24,000 pounds per axle in dual fitments.

Double Coin P&D Steer

The newest tire in the China Manufacturers Alliance's Double Coin line is the RT606+, a premium, solid-shoulder steer tire, designed for regional pick-up and delivery.

This tire upgrades the core specifications of the RT606 to enhance performance and durability. It has an original tread depth of 22/32 inch for 23 percent more usable tread than most normal steer position tires, says CMA.

It also has special features to enhance performance in high-scrub applications, such as extra sipes in the tread area for higher traction, water dispersion and even wear; platform stone ejectors to reduce stone drilling in the casing; wide shoulders to enhance maneuverability, and special tread compounds to fight scrub and irregular wear.

Goodyear DuraSeal for On-Highway

The new Unisteel G316 LHT line-haul trailer tire featuring DuraSeal Technology allows semi-trucks to continue operating after a tire is punctured by road debris up to 1/4-inch diameter.

The technology uses a gel-like, solvent-free compound built into the inner liner of the tire. It instantly seals punctures, with gel flowing into void areas and around objects less than 1/4-inch in diameter.

The new tire features an all-steel four-belt package, helping to provide a solid foundation for multiple retreads. A solid shoulder rib and innovative pressure distribution groove help resist shoulder wear.

Michelin X One for On/Off-Highway, Improved Regional Tire

The XZY3 tire is an all-position radial tire designed for weight savings and fuel savings in on/off-road operations. It offers long tread life by using a special compound with outstanding chip and cut resistance. Protection from stone drilling is provided by variable-pitch groove walls and groove bottom protectors in the center grooves.

The aggressive shoulder design delivers outstanding wet and soft soil traction, while Michelin's co-extrusion rubber technology provides cooler on-road operating temperatures at speeds up to 75 mph. The X One XZY3 tire is available in a 445/55R22.5 size.

Michelin has also improved its best-selling regional truck tire, the all-position XZE, relaunching it as the XZE2. Improvements include a 15-percent increase in overall tread life; optimized tire profile to protect against irregular wear; and a 6-percent wider tread area for enhanced traction and stability. An enhanced chip-and-cut-resistant tread compound, previously available only in LRH tires, combines with the 22/32 inch of original tread depth for the best wear in high-scrub applications and a 5 percent reduction in rolling resistance for increased fuel efficiency.

Michelin Retread Technologies has introduced the XDN2 Pre-Mold retread as an all-weather drive tire optimized for traction and mileage.

The XDN2 retread features patented Matrix Siping Technology, delivering outstanding winter and wet traction from more than 1,300 biting edges, says the company. The retread is also engineered with a two-layer compound: the top layer designed for wear and traction and the bottom layer for maintaining cool internal casing temperatures for longer tread and casing life.

Toyo Regional, Long-Haul Steers

Toyo Tire has introduced two premium tires created using its proprietary new e-balance design technology. It promises improvements in endurance, tire life, irregular wear resistance and fuel consumption.

The M154 ultra-premium, all-steel regional highway tire is described as ideal for steer applications, but well suited for use in any position.

The new tread design of the M154 provides even contact pressure distribution across the entire tread surface. Its 22/32-inch-deep five-rib design, coupled with deep sipes, provides excellent water drainage. A straight differential rib in the outer groove helps prevent uneven wear, while numerous sipes in the outer groove help prevent "river wear." A stone ejector groove in the center tread helps limit stone retention. The M154 will be available initially in a 295/75R22.5, and in other sizes later.

The M137 premium high-performance steer radial is for long-haul, over-the-highway applications, designed to deliver more miles per 32nd. An innovative casing profile minimizes growth of the tread and maintains a more uniform and flatter tread radius.

The M137 also has excellent profile retention. During operation, special cap and base tread compounds reduce heat at the belt edge and excessive heat build-up inside the tire structure. Its 15/32-inch-deep five-rib design is coupled with deep sipes and four straight, multi-pitched grooves for enhanced water drainage. It is available in two sizes, a 295/75R22.5 and a 285/75R24.5.


Yokohama Z.environment

Two new Yokohama commercial truck tires are part of Yokohama Tire's eco-friendly, ultra-high-tech Z.environment line.

The 103ZR's compound, tread design and casing construction deliver longer tread wear and low rolling resistance. The casings innovations actually predict changes in tire shape that occur in early stages of wear, according to the company. The result is increased durability due to stabilized performance. Other special features include rock-ejector platforms that keep stones and debris out of the grooves; superior fuel economy; and a wide tread, partnered with a 23/32-inch tread depth for long, even wear. The 103ZR will be offered in seven sizes.

The 501ZA is described by the company as an excellent choice for on/off-highway use. The 501ZA's thick undertread offers extended casing life that makes it perfect for cement and dump trucks.

The 501ZA also provides enhanced durability thanks to a special compound that provides longer mileage and greater chip resistance. Plus, added stone ejectors on the outside grooves minimize rock penetration. The 501ZA will be offered in two sizes.