Trucks are an essential pawn in our economy. Thanks to them, we see all the goods on the store shelves, we receive everything we order online in a couple of days, the garbage is collected, and many others that support our current lifestyle. And truck tyres, which ensure the vehicle’s contact with the ground, are particularly important for the safety of transportation.
They remain the most flexible mode of transport for the majority of goods because they are designed to carry heavy loads for long distances.
We discussed the importance of choosing the right tyres before and truck tyres are no exception, but the selection criteria are different. Depending on their position on the axle, the tread of the tyres differs, but you should take into account the quality of the roads and the distances you intend to travel.
Types of commercial truck tyres
Long-distance tyres – These tyres are made for long distances. The tread structure is thinner to avoid heating when driving for a long time.
Regional traffic tyres – These tyres are for those who travel long distances on crowded roads or for other trips that require a slower drive with frequent stops. They have a thicker tread to withstand these conditions.
Urban tyres – These are for public transportation such as buses; they usually have a linear tread pattern and are very resistant to turns.
Mixed application tyres – These are both for the street and construction sites. They are designed for 8×4 trucks, concrete trucks, and other types of vehicles used in quarries or concrete plants. These tyres have a durable tread to support large loads.
Off-road tyres – These are tyres exclusively for construction sites and quarries. The tread has large and spaced blocks made to last when driving on rocks.
Both mixed-application and off-road tyres are made of harder rubber to withstand tearing as they come in contact with sharp stones.
Truck tyres according to axles
The steering tyres are the front tyres. They have an adapted grip to perform well when cornering and braking. For safety reasons, it’s not recommended to put other types of tyres on this axle because it would make it difficult to handle the steering wheel, and without the necessary grip, it would put you in danger.
Drive tyres are at the rear of the tractor head. They have the best grip because they set the whole ensemble into motion and bear the heaviest load.
Trailer tyres are made of harder rubber to withstand cornering. They are fixed and deteriorate faster due to road turns.
Conclusion
As with passenger cars, truck tyres are divided according to seasons. In Romania, vehicles with a total mass of more than 3.5 tons have to use M + S tyres (for mud and snow) for the steer axle in winter or on snowy roads. They must also be equipped with snow chains. It is not recommended to use winter tyres in summer or vice versa; the texture of the rubber is different and they will wear out prematurely.
It is also important to look for the recommended load index and speed rating for your vehicle. You can find them in the owner’s manual or inscribed on the tyres. If you need more details about the code written on your tyre, you can find them in the article Choose the right tyre.
For all the categories we mentioned, you can find premium tyres (the best quality) with a lifespan of approx. 250,000-300,000 km, budget tyres with a lifespan of about 100,000 km or mid-range tyres whose quality is between premium and budget. And lastly, don’t forget that at Radburg you can always find the right truck tyres for you.
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