Continental Tire North America Inc. (CTNA) has released the next generation of its regional steer truck tire, HSR2 (Heavy Steer Regional), which replaces the HSR model. The new tire’s four-rib design offers higher lateral stability for greater resistance to side forces often found in regional applications and offers a 15% increase in removal miles over the original HSR, according to the maker.
Exclusive compound technologies featured in the new tire allow for higher tread endurance, the company said, and its groove geometry allows the use of more complex groove designs by undercutting (tunneling under) the groove features. The new technology allows for more aggressive groove designs that are less likely to tear or crack at the groove bottom. The groove base remains straight and avoids the stress risers that often result from a zigzag-type design the tire maker said.
The tire also will introduce to North America the company’s VAI+ visual alignment indicator system. The addition of a plus (+) mark represents the useful remaining tread depth as the tire wears, allowing the consumer constant visual representation on the tread surface. At 8/32 in. of tread depth, these indicators change from (+) to (-), alerting the consumer that it is time to consider tire removal or movement to the trailer axle. The (-) indicator remains visible until 4/32 in., and when it completely disappears; this signifies the approach to the lowest depth limit allowed by law.
CTNA said the tire also features the company’s newest stone ejection system, an enhanced sidewall design, a curb/scuff rib to fight damage from curbing and abrasions and 23/32 in. of tread depth.
The new tire can be ordered now through Continental truck tire dealers and is available in the 11R22.5 size for load ranges G and H; 275/80R22.5 size for load ranges G and H; 11R24.5 size for load ranges G and H; and 285/75R24.5 size for load range G. For more information, visit http://www.continental-truck.com/.