ERJ staff report (BC)
Stoke-on-Trent, UK – Michelin has started a 12-month trial comparing the wear rate of three key truck tire sizes to determine the best fitment strategy for petroleum haulage contractor Suckling Transport, prior to its first Euro VI-standard vehicles joining the fleet.
Based in West Thurrock, Essex, Suckling currently specifies 295/80 R 22.5 Michelin tires as original equipment on its steer and drive axles. However, with the introduction of Euro VI, the company anticipates a larger tire size will be fitted as standard by manufacturers to cope with the increased weight – expected to be around 200kg per vehicle.
Michelin will monitor the mileage performance of its latest X MultiWay 3D XZE (steer) and XDE (drive) tires in the company’s current fitment size as well as 315/70 R 22.5 and 315/80 R 22.5 to determine which option will provide the best results for its petroleum tanker fleet.
The tires, inflated to the optimum pressure for the truck weight, will be tested on three new 6x2 MAN TGS 440 tractor units.
Suckling operates a fleet of 60 tractor units and 64 tankers delivering petroleum products nationwide to customers including Shell and Phillips 66. Its vehicles are double-shifted seven days a week. Collectively the fleet covers more than 10m kilometres every year.
