A Long Haul Trailer tire is a type of tire that is designed and constructed to be used on the trailer axle of commercial vehicles such as trucks or semi trailers. As their name implies, these tires are built for trucks that haul over long distances, typically between 250-500 miles per day, and sometimes up to miles a day! With Long Haul trucks being such a vital part of our infrastructure and economy, it makes sense that commercial tire manufacturers must design tires that are able to withstand the challenges they encounter.
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Two crucial features of good Long Haul tires are long tread wear and low rolling resistance. Tread wear refers to how quickly the rubber tread of the tire wears down due to contact with the road. Rolling resistance refers to the natural resistance and friction that occurs when the tire rolls against the driving surface. A tire with a well-formulated rubber tread compound and a tread that is designed for driving stability will resist uneven or premature tread wear and hold up through those long haul miles. A tire with lower rolling resistance uses less fuel and causes lower fuel emissions. Lower rolling resistance also causes less heat buildup in the tire as it rolls, which can prevent the tire’s internal construction from wearing out too quickly.
Other features that are vital in a Long Haul Trailer tire are a high load-carrying capacity, a tread pattern that is designed for good handling and traction on both wet and dry roads, and construction that can withstand heavy braking and protect the tires against typical road damage such as punctures, or scuffing and curbing. Ideally, long haul tires should be SmartWay Certified, which indicates that a tire has low rolling resistance and can reduce fuel costs and emissions.
The life of a Long Haul Trailer tire will largely depend on how it’s used. Trailer tires are designed especially to be used on the trailer axle of vehicles such as trucks, semis or 18 wheelers. If this type of tire is used in the wrong position, that could cause damage to the tire, irregular tread wear, or other problems that could shorten the life of the tire. Another factor is where tires are driven. Since Long Haul tires are mainly driven on highways, they are constructed for paved surfaces. Driving a Long Haul tire on unpaved roads could cause faster tread wear, punctures, and even deterioration of the tire construction from being driven on an uneven or bumpy surface. Of course, however carefully you take care of your tires, wear and tear is inevitable and they will eventually need replacing. It is key to select a tire that is constructed and designed to withstand all the challenges of long haul driving, check tire tread depth regularly, and replace any tires worn down to 2/32nds of an inch or less of tread depth. Tires have tread wear indicators that become visible once tread is worn to a point where the tires need to be replaced.
SmartWay Certification is a voluntary program started by the EPA in in an effort to reduce fuel emissions, protect the environment, and support the transportation and logistics industry. The EPA reports that as of last year, the SmartWay Certification program has saved US trucking companies $52.3 Billion dollars on fuel costs, 379 million barrels of oil (the equivalent of the annual use of energy of 25 million homes!) and helped to avoid emitting millions of tons of greenhouse gases. SmartWay Certification has become an important way that companies evaluate and select more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly distribution services, and a proven way for suppliers to the freight industry to verify the fuel-saving benefits of vehicles and equipment.
Groundspeed TBR has designed the GSKS02 Long Haul Trailer tire to withstand the challenges of long haul trucking with long tread wear and low rolling resistance to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Knowing the unique requirements of long haul trailer tires, the GSKS02 features proprietary tread compound KTM6, which provides well-balanced performance with an emphasis on low rolling resistance and increased fuel economy.
The GSKS02 tread is designed with wide, straight traction grooves to increase braking performance on wet surfaces, and promote even tread wear and further reducing rolling resistance. Wide, solid outside shoulder ribs improve handling, and the tire’s sidewall features a scuff-resistant compound, protecting against curbing or scuffing damage. The deep tread depth of the GSKS02 (13/32nds of an inch) resists punctures and premature wear, while the wave groove design on the tire’s tread helps to prevent stones from getting trapped in the tire’s grooves, increases the pattern stiffness of the tire, and protects its body plies.
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You will most likely choose several combinations of tire needs for your particular usage. One consideration is prioritizing the needs from high to low. This will help you further narrow your tire selection. For example, if your fleet prioritizes maximizing fuel economy, a tire design with shallower tread depth and less aggressive tread design could help reduce overall mileage.
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Specific tread designs are crafted for certain service operations and feature special performance characteristics, like wet traction, steering response, and high fuel economy. Identifying your service application can help you pinpoint the best combination of requirements prior to choosing tires. Common service applications include:
Linehaul trucks normally make runs that exceed 500 miles and are used by truckload and less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers. These vehicles typically run between 80,000 and 200,000 miles a year and operate on highways.
Regional carriers operate within a limited multistate area and have runs of about 250 miles. They typically run between 30,000 and 80,000 miles a year.
Vocational trucks in on-off road service run both on highways and in off-road environments. These applications operate in highly aggressive conditions at limited speeds and typically run between 10,000 and 70,000 miles a year.
Super Regional combines linehaul and regional operation in a hub-and-spoke operation, running typically about 100,000 or more miles a year. Average runs typically are between 250 and 500 miles.
Additionally, it’s important to take into account the targeted wheel position of the tire — steer, drive, trailer and all-position — in relation to the service application need. Once you know your application you must understand the different characteristics that apply to each tire position. Use the following table to narrow down by tire position:
After you’ve determined your needs and service applications, it’s time to select the best tread design for your fleet. The two main designs are rib or closed designs and lug or traction designs.
Rib designs have zigzag or straight grooves that run circumferentially around the tire, and they are usually used on steer and trailer positions. Zigzagged grooves offer biting edges for wet traction and are ideal for turning and maneuvering in pickup and delivery applications. Continuous straight grooves roll in a straight line with little resistance, making them ideal for high-mileage, high-speed and fuel-efficient needs as well as linehaul service applications.
Lug designs have blocks and grooves cut across the tread to add traction and aggressiveness to the tire, making this design ideal for vocational service applications. Lug designs can be circumferential as well. Wide shoulder ribs — also known as closed shoulder patterns — are resistant to side forces. This allows for long tread life in linehaul operations. Open shoulder designs have more blocks on the edge and are ideal for operation in rain, mud or snow. Lug designs are primarily used on drive axles.
Additional design types to be aware of:
Tire needs, service applications and tread design choices can be confusing and overwhelming. You want to ensure your fleet of trucks is well-equipped to handle whatever operation you assign them to. We’ve put together the top five tips to keep in mind.
1. Prioritize your operational needs by order of importance.
2. Compare your needs against your type of service application to further narrow your selections.
3. Choose the appropriate tire tread design based on needs and service application.
4. Approve your selection with dealer exports.
5. Don’t forget about retreads. Maximize tire performance reduce total costs by retreading with a Bandag retread. Learn more about it today!
And, as always, your Bridgestone team is here to assist you. You can search for products by application and type of fleet here or find a local dealer to work with.
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