Continental Tire the Americas LLC has agreed to supply original equipment tires to Chrysler Group LLC. Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, Continental will supply size 225/70R19.5 OE tires for Ram medium-duty Chassis Cab trucks.
Continental HSR steer and HDR drive tires were selected for the fitment, which begins this year with 2011 Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks.
The tires N-speed rating for up to 87 mph, according to Tom Fanning, director of original equipment sales for commercial vehicle tires. Tire speed ratings are an important consideration for fire and rescue, ambulance and other emergency service vehicles.
"Ram executives have told us this is something their customers have been asking for and is superior to the M-speed rating (up to 81 mph) of the competition's tire," he says.
The HSR is a premium steer-position, Load Range G tire. It has a 16/32-inch all-position tread pattern designed for long mileage in regional and local service use.
The tire also features a protective scuff rib, a closed-shoulder tread pattern and an aggressive tread design "that promotes stability and increases wet traction," says the company.
The HDR is a multi-purpose, Load Range G drive tire with an 18/32-inch tread depth. It features a multi-service tread compound for local and long-haul service. In addition, offset center tread blocks help provide all-weather traction.
The order is Continental's second major OE fitment for truck tires this year (see "MTD exclusive! Continental wins Navistar truck fitments").
