Growth in last-mile, parcel, and pickup and delivery services has led to new vehicle applications and in particular to tires designed for operations in those growing markets. Today, manufacturers offer a range of new 16- through 19.5-inch tires.
The Agilis CrossClimate tire for commercial vans from Michelin North America is available in 16 sizes for Ford Econoline, Chevrolet Express, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. It’s also available in five C-Metric sizes for Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster and Nissan NV200 models as well as European van platforms. The Agilis CrossClimate all-season tire, the company said, features improved protection from impact and punctures as well as wet braking capabilities.
For distribution and pickup and delivery applications, Bridgestone Americas offers the R238 and M704 all-position tires. The R238 is available in nine sizes for 17.5- to 19.5-inch rim diameters and in load range F, G, H, and J. Designed to stand up in high scrub environments, the tire’s casing and tread design help resist damage from curbing and maneuvering, the manufacturer noted, while its NanoPro-Tech polymer technology limits energy loss for improved rolling resistance.
Offered in a 19.5-inch model with a deep tread depth of 20/32nds and a G load rating, the Bridgestone M704 tire meets three-peak mountain snowflake criteria for snow traction performance. According to the company, the design of the tire includes an aggressive tread pattern and wide flow-through grooves to promote traction and stabilizing tie bars to help reduce irregular wear.
Cooper Tire recently introduced two new 19.5-inch Roadmaster brand tires for final mile, pickup and delivery vehicles. The Roadmaster RM257 drive tire comes in a 225/70R size with 18/32nds of tread depth and in a 245/70R size with 19/32nds of tread. The open-shoulder tire with three tread blocks in the center features aggressive tread and has three-peak mountain snowflake certification.
The Cooper Roadmaster RM170+ steer and all-position tire has 15/32nds of tread depth in a 225 size and 16/32nds in a 245 size. The RM170+ comes in a 225/70R size in load range F and G and in a 245/70R size in load range G and H.
Yokohama Tire’s 115R all-season tire is now available in a 225/70R19.5 size. According to the company, the all-position tire designed for Class 4 and 5 vehicles features wide lateral and deep serpentine grooves to increase traction while sidewall protection capabilities defend against damage caused by curbing and scrubbing.
Engineered for urban pickup and delivery applications, the Yokohama 714R drive tire is now available in 225/70R19.5 and 245/70R19.5 sizes. The 714R has open shoulder grooves for traction, funnel-shaped step grooves to prevent stones and other debris from causing casing damage, and a tread compound that helps lower rolling resistance.
Continental Tire’s regional 19.5-inch tires include the Conti Hybrid HD3 drive axle model and the Conti Hybrid HS3 all-position. Both tires feature narrowed groove widths to improve wear resistance, the manufacturer said.
In the Conti Hybrid HS3, the company said, two-layer tread construction promotes high mileage performance in the cap compound and rolling resistance improvements in the base compound while full-depth sipes enhance water displacement. Key features of the Conti Hybrid HD3 are an application-optimized tread compound, and a chamfered edge that reduces deformation in the sidewall and bead area, which helps lower fuel consumption.
Continental’s light truck tire portfolio includes the 16-inch Conti LAR 3 all-position 10-ply radial with an all-steel casing. The tire performs exceptionally well in high scrub conditions by employing cut-and-chip resistant tread compounds, the company noted. The Conti LAR 3 is available in LT225/75R16, LT235/85R16, and LT245/75R16 sizes.
The Hankook Tire lineup of tires optimized for pickup and delivery operations includes the DH07 drive axle model and the AH37 all-position. In addition, the company’s DH37 regional haul drive tire is available with a rib and block tread design. Also offered by the manufacturer for all-season use are the Smart Flex AH35 all-position tire with a special tread design and the Smart Flex DH35 drive axle tire with a rib-type tread pattern.
Goodyear Tire’s 19.5-inch all-position and drive tires are designed to balance traction, fuel efficiency, and tread mileage. Included in 225/70R19.5 and 245/70R19.5 sizes is the Fuel Max RTD, which is now available. The Fuel Max RSA features mud and snow traction characteristics and will be offered by OEMs and as replacement tires starting in the first quarter of next year.
