Goodyear launches low platform trailer tyre in 2 sizes

Goodyear has announced a new range of low platform trailer tyres for applications such as car transporters in both long and regional haul service and also for heavy haulage trailers. The Regional RHT II 19.5” and 17.5” have been developed to provide increased operational mileage and improved wet grip. Goodyear says the low rolling resistence tyres meet the requirements of the future EU Regulation 661/2009. The Goodyear Regional RHT II is fully regroovable and retreadable.

The new 17.5” and 19.5” Regional RHT II tyres replace the Marathon LHT low platform trailer tyre range.  They have a four-rib pattern to provide better crown robustness, while a new groove shape improves cracking resistance and stone rejection. The compound also enhances damage resistance, which in combination with its cavity shape provides high mileage potential and good wet grip. 

Goodyear also says the new tyres also have 25 per cent better wet grip performance than their predecessors and 17 per cent more than a main competitor, and the drive-by noise level is 69 dB(A); the mileage potential figures shown relate to the average of both axles’ performance measured during the trials with BLG Logistics using size 245/70R17.5 tyres.  All other performance comparison figures shown are based on internal assessments made in the Goodyear Innovation Centre Luxembourg during 2010 and 2011 using size 245/70R17.5 tyres.

The new tyres are made with Goodyear’s KMax Technology, a specific combination of dedicated tyre features, which Goodyear says have been developed to allow a wide application range and improve fuel consumption to reduce cost per kilometre. Some sizes of the new tyres offer increased load capacity, compared to their predecessors, for special lower speed applications; advantageous for heavy haulage operations.

Complies with propose EU Regulations

EU Regulation 661/2009 sets new stringent rules for maximum permitted levels of rolling resistance and external noise; levels which the Regional RHT II tyres are within.  In addition to this, EU Regulation 1222/2009 (Tyre Labelling) will require technical promotional material for heavy truck tyres to include label information to show how efficient the tyres are in meeting the rolling resistance, wet grip and noise level requirements.

Trials of the Regional RHT II tyre were run in conjunction with car transportation company BLG Logistics Automobil Transporte in Germany. The new tyres were mounted on a two axle Rolfo semi-trailer and an identical trailer was run using a competitor’s tyres, in both cases the tyre size was 245/70R17.5. These tests showed that the mileage from the Regional RHT II tyre was on average six per cent better than a competitor’s tyre and this related to a projected life of up to 170,000 kilometres on the fastest wearing axle. 

Peter-Michael Beling, vehicle maintenance supervisor at BLG Logistics Automobil Transporte, said: “We have had good results from the new Goodyear tyres. The carcass durability has been improved and consequently the mileage performance has improved as well.”

Sizes and availability

245/70R17.5 – Available now
235/75R17.5 – Available now

215/75R17.5 – November
265/70R19.5 – November

9.5R17.5 – December
285/70R19.5 – December
205/65R17.5 – December
245/70R19.5 – December