WHY CHOOSE A PREMIUM TYRE?

An estimated 42 per cent of truck fleets in the UK operating 51 or more vehicles are still purchasing tyres on a transactional basis and managing them in-house – a process which is likely to be increasing their costs and environmental footprint.

A little-known fact is that one of the greatest advantages of premium tyres over budget alternatives is their ability to achieve the lowest overall driving cost for fleet operators. 

Mileage performance is influenced by many factors outside our control, including vehicle size and weight, static and dynamic weight distribution, the force between the tyre and the pavement, and pressure distribution. Road surface and temperature also play a part. The one factor that we CAN control is the tyre itself.

Although budget tyres may be attractive at first glance due to their lower price point, premium tyres offer far better performance in the long run. Budget tyres may offer only half of the mileage a premium tyre is capable of. Key factors of premium tyres include a stronger construction, optimised pattern designs, advanced filter technology, and the ability to re-tread and regroove.

When it comes to how a premium tyre is manufactured, the constructional materials, chemical composition, elastomeric properties and inflation pressure all have a bearing on cost efficiency and improvements to rolling resistance. Factors such as the volume of rubber mass, and the volume and depth of tread equally play an important role in finely tuning the performance of the tyre.

Enhancements in belt configuration and angles can add more reinforcement in the shoulder to help stabilise and adjust it accordingly. In order to optimise pressure distribution across the tyre, the footprint area must be cleverly designed. If pressure isn’t distributed properly, it will lead to high load concentration and cause irregular wear, eventually ruining the tyre.

Pattern design is fundamental in improving rolling resistance. Groove width, in particular, has seen a lot of change in recent times –  tyres designed 10 years ago were extremely open, whereas the voids have been largely reduced now. This is especially necessary for raised high-performance vehicles with sophisticated suspension and drive trains.

Another benefit of premium tyres over budget alternatives is that they are carefully designed and constructed to allow for regrooving and re-treading. Once a budget tyre is worn out, it has to be entirely scrapped. Premium tyres, on the other hand, can be given another life. Re-treading and regrooving are far more economical options than buying a brand-new tyre and fleet operators will see a significant reduction in their tyre costs. In addition, the process also creates a lower profile thickness, helping to reduce rolling resistance and, with it, fuel consumption.

Speak to one of our team about the type of premium brand that we stock and fit here at Barry Shaddick. Our specialist team can help you choose the right tyres for your vehicles. Speak to one of our branches here.