Spread axle trailers, mixed service trucks and school buses received plenty of love at the 2012 Goodyear Dealer Conference in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 30. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. introduced three new truck tires – and an innovative precure tread.
“We have taken a good look at our product portfolio, and have focused on the tires and tread rubber that you and your customers want most,” Donn Kramer, director of product marketing for the Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems Division, told attendees.
“For example, we're bringing more production of Goodyear and Dunlop tires to the marketplace. This includes sizes and types that fleets and our dealers demand.”
1. Goodyear G619 RST. The new spread axle trailer tire is engineered to resist scrubbing and curb impact. It features an 18/32-inch tread depth and stone ejectors, and is available in a UniCircle retread.
The tire is available in one size: 295/75R22.5, Load Range G. Three new sizes -- 11R22.5, 11R24.5 and 285/75R24.5, all Load Range G -- will be released during the second quarter of 2012.
2. Goodyear G741 MSD Severe Service Tire. A special tire for oil field, mining, logging and construction applications, the G741 MSD has a cut and chip resistant rubber compound and a deep 33/32-inch tread depth for long tread life.
Its aggressive, self-cleaning tread design helps resist mud build-up with the help of the same basic technology featured in the Wrangler MTR light truck tire, according to Andrea Berryman, segment marketing manager for commercial tires.
The tire will be available this May in size 11R24.5, Load Range H. Berryman added that based on dealer feedback, Goodyear is looking at adding size 11R22.5 next year.[PAGEBREAK]
3. Dunlop SP348. The all-position truck tire is designed for regional fleet, school bus, and pickup and delivery applications. Featuring a 20/32-inch tread depth with stone ejector grooves and enhanced shoulder ribs for improved scrub resistance and protection against curbing abrasions, the tire is available in seven sizes: 11R22.5, 225/70R19.5, 245/70R19.5, 10R22.5, 12R22.5, 11R24.5 and 295/75R22.5.
Two sizes -- 285/75R24.5 and 255/70R22.5 -- will be added during the second quarter of 2012.
Goodyear also introduced its exclusive Multi-Piece Cushion precure tread. Designed to extend the shelf life of truck tire retread cushion without sacrificing product quality and performance, it is heat resistant, “which eliminates the need for refrigeration,” according to Jay Hofner, general manager, retreading.
The innovative product contains three distinct layers. One of the layers is a barrier that extends the product’s shelf life “up to a one-year.” The Multi-Piece Cushion’s other two layers consist of “carefully selected ingredients which, when mixed together, complete the curing package,” he added.
