Cooper Tire has added a new Roadmaster brand tire, specifically engineered to meet the demands of drop-deck trailers, to its lineup. The RM272 features a new tread design and compounding that provides improved treadwear and protection against cutting and chipping, the company said.
Available in size 255/70R22.5 in load range H, the tire comes with a 16/32-in. tread depth.
“It’s one tough tire designed for one demanding application,” said Gary Schroeder, director of Commercial Vehicle and OEM sales for Cooper Tire. “Of all wheel positions, tires on a drop-deck trailer take some of the harshest punishment – often they don’t get replaced due to mileage, they get replaced due to tread damage, such as scrubbing or tearing. The new RM272 is designed to withstand these conditions and we believe this tire will be a top performer in the industry.”
The RM272 features a four-belt steel casing with a slightly rounded tread footprint, along with a reinforced shoulder, to help withstand extreme side forces. “Withstanding scrubbing and tearing is what this tire is all about,” said Schroeder. “When the tire was in development, we tested its performance against three types of concrete surfaces to match difficult real-world conditions, including concrete with exposed limestone, and grooved bridge decking. These tests enabled Cooper engineers to validate that the tires’ durability and performance levels exceeded everyday operating conditions.”
The Roadmaster RM272 was also designed to ward off irregular wear and damage due to curbing. According to the company, the tire’s rounded footprint allows pressure to be distributed along all the ribs, which helps prevent premature wear on the intermediate ribs.
