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The regional-haul (RH) segment of the trucking industry was already expanding, but the pandemic accelerated its growth dramatically with the surge in eCommerce. The rise of digital marketplaces fueled demand for last-mile delivery and pickup-and-delivery routes, leading to a significant increase in regional-haul trucking.
To enhance operational efficiency, fleet owners should equip their trucks with application-specific tires. These specialized tires not only improve vehicle performance but also offer extended service life and lower overall costs. The savings generated can be redirected to address key industry challenges, such as driver retention, telematics adoption, and investments in electric or hybrid vehicles.
Regional-haul (RH) truck tires are designed for operations within a 300-mile radius, where drivers typically return to a home base at the end of each shift. These tires navigate a mix of road conditions, from two-lane roads to highways, and serve a variety of industries, including food distribution, manufacturing, last-mile delivery, waste management, and local transportation services such as buses.
Regional-haul (RH) fleets operate under unique conditions, including low speeds, rough roads, and frequent stop-and-go traffic. Unlike long-haul trucks that accumulate high mileage on smooth highways, RH trucks face constant wear and tear from urban and regional routes. To withstand these challenges, application-specific RH tires are engineered for durability, performance, and long-term cost efficiency, ultimately improving productivity and return on investment (ROI).
These specialized tires are designed to combat common issues such as shoulder scrub, start/stop aggression, lateral scrub, and heel/toe wear through the following features:
- Reinforced sidewalls – Protects against curb damage
- Extra tread depth – Enhances resistance to abrasion
- High-scrub compounds – Extends tire life in stop-and-go conditions
- Durable, flexible casings – Absorbs impact from potholes and railroad tracks
- Special bead packages – Ensures a secure fit to rims, minimizing downtime
- Optimized tread patterns – Includes large tread-to-void ratios and sipes for improved traction in wet or winter conditions
By investing in application-specific RH tires, fleet owners can enhance vehicle performance, reduce operational costs, and maximize uptime.
Tires play a critical role in the daily performance of regional-haul fleets and are also among the highest maintenance expenses. Even small improvements in tire quality can lead to significant cost savings as miles accumulate. Since tires are one of the first components replaced on a truck, upgrading to higher-performing models with a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) is a simple yet effective way to enhance fleet efficiency.
To maximize their investment, fleet owners should consider regional-haul tires with durable casings designed for multiple retreads. A significant portion of a tire's cost lies in its casing, making it essential to invest in rugged body plies built for longevity. Retreading extends tire life at a fraction of the cost of purchasing new tires, further reducing overall expenses while maintaining performance and reliability.
