Radial Trailer Tires vs. Bias Ply Trailer Tires
Freight haulers pull trailers full of goods to businesses throughout the
country. The long haulers travel across road conditions that can cause
wear-and-tear to the trailer tires, eventually causing the driver to have the
tires on his trailer replaced.
Deciding on the right tires for your trailer is essential to ensure the best
traction and wear resistance so that the shipment can reach its destination.
Since trailers have no driving mechanism to move the tires, only braking
equipment, the trailer tires must allow for full stability on the road without
the trailer swaying during turns if the trailer has high side loads.
Knowing Your Trailer Tires
So which tires to choose? You have to know something about the tires before
you can make the best decision. Most trailer tires are two types: Bias Ply and
Radial ST Trailer Tires.
Bias Ply ST Trailer Tires
Bias Ply tires have stiff sidewalls due to the crisscrossing of poly cords
between the tire beads. Radial ST Tires has steel wire beneath the tread with
the ply created at right angles on the tire beads. These features on both of the
Bias Ply tires and the Radial ST Tires gives the trailer optimal traction on all
types of road surfaces.
Trailers equipped with Radial ST Tires have several advantages versus Bias
Ply tires. Radial tires have stiffer sidewalls. This advantage reduces the
dangerous trailer sway, offering more stability for trailers that are carrying
heavy loads. These tires give a pulling strength and durability so it can handle
the rigors of an uneven road surface.
While Bias Ply tires also have stiff sidewalls, allowing for load stability,
the sidewalls share the same casing plies as the treads. This is a problem when
that load is distributed along the tire.
The tire flexes more along the tread. This causes uneven contact with the
road surface. Those treads bearing such weight while rolling along the asphalt
experience a high amount of ground friction. This friction grinds down the
treads as they wear out faster, leaving a smooth surface on tires that causes
them to slide more.
Having reduced traction can cause a rig to use more fuel to pull the trailer,
increasing the driver's fuel charges to get the load to the destination. You
will also have extra expenses in having the tire retread or replacing the worn
tires with new ones. Radial ST Trailer tires do not have such as problem.
Radial ST trailer tires have a better load distribution. The trailer has more
contact with the ground due to a larger contact surface that does not flex in
the same strange manner as does the Bias Ply tire. With more of a contact
surface with the road, the tire experiences less friction, which lessens fuel
costs.
As a driver, your rig will work less when the trailer rides on Radial ST
tires. The tires will last longer. You will not need to replace the tire or have
the tire retread sooner as you would need to do if your trailer is equipped with
Bias Ply tires. Radial ST Trailer tires will get you to the destination sooner
without the worries of a blowout due to punctures or cuts.
Radial ST Trailer Tires
Based on the way the tire contacts the road surface, Radial ST Trailer tires
offer greater handling advantages when driving with a heavy trailer versus a
trailer equipped with Bias Ply tires. These tires are specifically designed for
special trailer loads. Deciding on the best tire should not be based on costs.
Choose a tire that can handle the pay load in your trailer for the entire
destination of the trip. Pick the Radial ST Trailer tires to handle all of your
hauling needs. You feel safer and in more control of your trailer.