Boughey Distribution Chooses Michelin

Michelin’s X One MaxiTrailer tyre has been chosen by Wardle-based Boughey Distribution to be fitted exclusively across 100 Montracon and 30 Schmitz Cargobull tri-axle trailers. The trailers are currently being delivered to the company, becoming a significant proportion of Boughey’s fleet.

Designed to deliver up to 50 per cent more mileage than standard 385/65 R 22.5 XTE2, each new 455/45 R 22.5 X One MaxiTrailer tyre benefits from Infinicoil architecture, one of the key innovations of Michelin Durable Technologies. The Infinicoil consists of a single, 400 m-long steel cord wrapped around the crown, delivering unrivalled robustness, greater longevity and very even wear. Compared to a 385/65 R 22.5, the tread band is also 120 millimetres wider and has 35 per cent more rubber in the compound, the feature which allows the tyre to claim such an advantage over the XTE2.

Boughey Distribution operates a 100 per cent Michelin tyre policy across its fleet, supported by independent Michelin distributor Quinton Tyres of Greater Manchester. Quinton has its own bay within the haulier’s workshop and a dedicated tyre fitter on site, ensuring the tyres on each vehicle are inspected every three weeks; additional to each driver’s daily vehicle checks.

Commenting on the X One MaxiTrailer tyres, Paul Brimelow, Group Fleet Engineer at Boughey Distribution says: “We are happy to try new things, just so long as they look and feel right, and the Michelin X One MaxiTrailer tyres certainly do. Quinton Tyres were also happy to support the new product despite us being the first major fleet in the UK to put the tyres into service.

“Since the first trailers entered operation we have had some very positive feedback from the drivers in terms of handling and on-the-road performance, and tyre reliability has been very good,” he adds.

Boughey says its decision to switch to an all-Michelin tyre policy has significantly reduced its downtime, and resulted in significant cost savings. Mr Brimelow explains: “Buying Michelin is all about whole-life costs and the unique Four Lives programme allows us to get the maximum performance out of the tyres.”

The X One MaxiTrailer tyre is primarily available for fitment as original equipment on new trailers manufactured across Europe. When fitted to conventional or mega volume trailers, Michelin says that it increases volume by between five and nine cubic metres on vehicles with a fifth wheel height of between 950 and 1,200 millimetres. For the purpose of this contract, Schmitz Cargobull was already familiar with the X One MaxiTrailer tyres after being involved in initial trials with Michelin in Europe, and Montracon made minor alterations to its trailer design to accommodate the tyre. The X One MaxiTrailer tyre is now available for specification by customers of both trailer manufacturers throughout Europe.