Truck tires play a crucial role in ensuring safety and operational efficiency for long-haul transport vehicles. From choosing the right type of tire, performing proper maintenance, to understanding safety standards, all of these factors greatly affect the performance and lifespan of the tire.
HOW TO READ TRUCK TIRE SPECIFICATIONS
Understanding truck tire specifications is essential to choosing the right tire for your needs and ensuring safety during operation. Below are some basic truck tire specifications:
- Tire size:
Tire size specifications are usually marked on the tire sidewall in a sequence of numbers and letters.
Example: A TH7 8x4 truck with a 9.7m frame has the marking 12R22.5, which means:
12: Tire width (inches)
R: Type of tire (R – Radial, steel-belted radial tire)
22.5: Rim diameter is 22 inches. The marking “22.5” also indicates that this is a tubeless tire.
- Load Index and Speed Index:
These indexes are also shown on the tire sidewall. The Load Index indicates the maximum load capacity of the tire, while the Speed Index shows the maximum safe speed for the tire.
- Date of Manufacture:
The production date is usually marked with a 4-digit code, where the first two digits indicate the production week and the last two digits indicate the production year.
- Tire Structure:
The tire sidewall may also specify the structure, such as:
TT (Tube Type – with inner tube)
TL (Tubeless – without inner tube)
OOR (Outside Over Rim – outer tube).
- Manufacturer’s Marking:
The manufacturer’s code is printed on the tire, helping users identify the tire’s origin.
- Other Markings:
Some additional markings such as M+S (Mud and Snow), anti-slip or wet grip symbols, etc., indicate the tire’s performance characteristics.
By reading and correctly understanding these tire specifications, you can choose the right tires that match your vehicle’s usage, load capacity, and operating speed.
Hotline: 