The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. announced Friday, Feb. 1, that it has adapted its revolutionary self-sealing commercial tire technology on a broader scale for use on longhaul trucks.
The new Unisteel G316 LHT linehaul trailer tire featuring DuraSeal Technology is designed to allow semi-trucks to continue operating after a tire is punctured by road debris up to 1/4-inch diameter in the repairable tread area, greatly reducing vehicle downtime and service calls. The new tire was introduced to U.S. and Canadian tire dealers at an annual conference.
Already proven in mixed-service applications such as logging, construction and mining, the technology uses a gel-like solvent-free compound built into the inner liner of the tire, according to Goodyear; it consistently and instantly seals punctures with gel flowing into void areas and around objects less than 1/4-inch in diameter.
“The technology transfer into linehaul trucking is significant,” says Steve McClellan, vice president of Goodyear commercial tire systems. “DuraSeal in the G316 LHT helps reduce fleet downtime, helps lower a company’s cost of operation and enhances retreadability. For Goodyear, the new tire expands our premium product line in the biggest segment of trucking — longhaul. DuraSeal helps us deliver difference-making real value to end-users looking for solutions.”
Nearly half of all commercial tires sold are for longhaul; the remainder are for mixed-service — trucks that travel on- and offroad in their work, regional pickup and delivery, recreational vehicles, buses and towable trailers. Goodyear is using DuraSeal in the G316 LHT trailer tire, which also is available in a fuel-efficient version featuring Fuel Max Technology.
“Self-sealing technology in trailer tires is relevant, since maintaining the inner tire of a dual-tire setup is difficult,” McClellan says. “Trailers usually are the least-maintained equipment in a fleet’s operation. In addition, with the industry averaging four trailers for each tractor, there’s a greater opportunity for DuraSeal to help longhaul fleets improve productivity.”
The new tire features an all-steel four-belt package, helping to provide a solid foundation for multiple retreads, says Tim Richards, project manager for linehaul tires. A solid shoulder rib and innovative pressure distribution groove help resist shoulder wear.
The G316 LHT and matching retreads sport a 12/32nd-inch tread to facilitate more miles to removal. The tire is manufactured at Goodyear’s manufacturing plant in Danville, Va.
