How Long Do Long Haul Trailer Tires Last?

A Long Haul Trailer tire is a type of tire that is designed and constructed to be used on the trailer axle of commercial vehicles such as trucks or semi trailers. As their name implies, these tires are built for trucks that haul over long distances, typically between 250-500 miles per day, and sometimes up to 1000 miles a day! With Long Haul trucks being such a vital part of our infrastructure and economy, it makes sense that commercial tire manufacturers must design tires that are able to withstand the challenges they encounter.

Key Features of a Quality Long Haul Trailer Tire

Two crucial features of good Long Haul tires are long tread wear and low rolling resistance. Tread wear refers to how quickly the rubber tread of the tire wears down due to contact with the road. Rolling resistance refers to the natural resistance and friction that occurs when the tire rolls against the driving surface. A tire with a well-formulated rubber tread compound and a tread that is designed for driving stability will resist uneven or premature tread wear and hold up through those long haul miles. A tire with lower rolling resistance uses less fuel and causes lower fuel emissions. Lower rolling resistance also causes less heat buildup in the tire as it rolls, which can prevent the tire’s internal construction from wearing out too quickly.

Other features that are vital in a Long Haul Trailer tire are a high load-carrying capacity, a tread pattern that is designed for good handling and traction on both wet and dry roads, and construction that can withstand heavy braking and protect the tires against typical road damage such as punctures, or scuffing and curbing. Ideally, long haul tires should be SmartWay Certified, which indicates that a tire has low rolling resistance and can reduce fuel costs and emissions.

How Long Do Semi Truck Trailer Tires Last?

The life of a Long Haul Trailer tire will largely depend on how it’s used. Trailer tires are designed especially to be used on the trailer axle of vehicles such as trucks, semis or 18 wheelers. If this type of tire is used in the wrong position, that could cause damage to the tire, irregular tread wear, or other problems that could shorten the life of the tire. Another factor is where tires are driven. Since Long Haul tires are mainly driven on highways, they are constructed for paved surfaces. Driving a Long Haul tire on unpaved roads could cause faster tread wear, punctures, and even deterioration of the tire construction from being driven on an uneven or bumpy surface. Of course, however carefully you take care of your tires, wear and tear is inevitable and they will eventually need replacing. It is key to select a tire that is constructed and designed to withstand all the challenges of long haul driving, check tire tread depth regularly, and replace any tires worn down to 2/32nds of an inch or less of tread depth. Tires have tread wear indicators that become visible once tread is worn to a point where the tires need to be replaced.

How a Tire Can Help the Environment and Your Bottom Line

SmartWay Certification is a voluntary program started by the EPA in 2004 in an effort to reduce fuel emissions, protect the environment, and support the transportation and logistics industry. The EPA reports that as of 2023, the SmartWay Certification program has saved US trucking companies $52.3 Billion dollars on fuel costs, 379 million barrels of oil (the equivalent of the annual use of energy of 25 million homes!) and helped to avoid emitting millions of tons of greenhouse gases. SmartWay Certification has become an important way that companies evaluate and select more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly distribution services, and a proven way for suppliers to the freight industry to verify the fuel-saving benefits of vehicles and equipment.

A Trailer Tire that Will Last for the Long Haul

Groundspeed TBR has designed the GSKS02 Long Haul Trailer tire to withstand the challenges of long haul trucking with long tread wear and low rolling resistance to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Knowing the unique requirements of long haul trailer tires, the GSKS02 features proprietary tread compound KTM6, which provides well-balanced performance with an emphasis on low rolling resistance and increased fuel economy.

The GSKS02 tread is designed with wide, straight traction grooves to increase braking performance on wet surfaces, and promote even tread wear and further reducing rolling resistance. Wide, solid outside shoulder ribs improve handling, and the tire’s sidewall features a scuff-resistant compound, protecting against curbing or scuffing damage. The deep tread depth of the GSKS02 (13/32nds of an inch) resists punctures and premature wear, while the wave groove design on the tire’s tread helps to prevent stones from getting trapped in the tire’s grooves, increases the pattern stiffness of the tire, and protects its body plies.

As for construction, the GSKS02 Long Haul Trailer tire features four-belt reinforcement, constructed with four belts and a belt cushion to increase its load-bearing capacity, endurance, and maneuverability. Additionally, this tire has heavy-duty brake control construction to absorb the frequent braking inherent in long haul trucking, and to perform like a true workhorse. Take a closer look at the outstanding features of the GSKS02 tire in this video.

Read more about related tire topics in one of our previous blogs:

Why SmartWay Certified is Important