Michelin’s MaxiTrailer Ideal for Low Trailers

Back in April this year, Michelin utilised the occasion of the Commercial Vehicle Show 2008 to launch its new 255/60 R 19.5 X MaxiTrailer. Michelin are confident that the tyre will win over the marketplace by providing innovative features in terms of both the tyre’s applications – mainly as a result of its relatively compact dimensions – and its safety features. It is specifically designed for low-height trailers as it takes up no more space than a 17.5-inch tyre, following requests from the market to increase the load carrying capacity of the traditional 205/65 R17.5 tyre. The French manufacturer claims that the tyre is ideal for fitment to low loaders being used to transport extra-heavy loads, as well as low-height mega trailers, car transporters and livestock trailers. The new tyre offers a 10 centimetre increase in available space for goods being carried in comparison with regular 19.5-inch tyres.

In terms of safety features, the tyre comes up trumps through its ability to work with disc brakes, which reduce braking distance by up to five metres in comparison with drum brakes. This marks a breakthrough in the tyre industry, since disc brakes traditionally operate at up to 40 degree higher temperatures than conventional drum brakes, making them unsuitable for operation with most 17.5” tyres.

In addition to enhancing safety performance, disc brakes reduce maintenance costs by 20 per cent compared to a vehicle fitted with drum brakes, as the maintenance time for vehicles with disc brakes is significantly less, with an average technician taking approximately one hour to fit new disc brakes, compared with half a day to fit drum brakes. Disc brakes are also widely regarded as being more reliable and have longer service intervals.

The 255/60 R 19.5 X MaxiTrailer is manufactured using Infinicoil architecture – part of the Michelin Durable Technologies package – which, the company claims, helps to increase total tyre mileage by up to 35 per cent. Amongst the key benefits to operators, says Michelin, is an increased axle load of up to 400 kg, enabling operators to optimise productivity. This is combined with up to a 20 per cent increase in casing endurance, together with a four per cent reduction in rolling resistance compared with the equivalent XTE2 tyre of this size, which will in turn help to improve fuel efficiency.

The MaxiTrailers are currently being fitted as original equipment by leading trailer manufacturers including Lohr, Kässbohrer and Rolfo.