TALKING TYRES
(^46) Summer 2019 Truck & Driver
A
n essential part of
running a truck
efficiently is choosing
the correct tyres and
keeping on top of their
maintenance. With fuel costs so
high, and margins so tight,
getting it right can have a major
influence on your bottom line.
With our old Foden suddenly
pressed into service (you can
read the full story at
truckanddriver.co.uk), the
drive-axle tyres were soon in
need of replacement. The
temptation was to fit some cheap
ones, just to get it road legal.
Our first port of call was a
good friend’s father-in-law for
some advice. It just so happens
that Henry, now retired, was
formerly in charge of Michelin
truck tyres for the whole of
Scotland. We were directed to
Michelin’s team of experts at
their UK HQ in Stoke-on-Trent.
“What’s your cheapest tyres
please?” we asked. “What are
you doing with the truck?” was
the response. We were then
Michelin reckons you can make big efficiency
savings by choosing and maintaining the right tyres
“The truck’s drive-axle is now
riding on BFGoodrich rubber.
Michelin bought the US tyre
manufacturer and launched the
new-for-Europe BFG range of
truck tyres at the end of 2017”
asked a number of further
questions to identify the best
tyres for the operation and,
matched to our budget, those
that would represent the best
value for money across their
entire service life.
The truck’s drive-axle is now
riding on BFGoodrich rubber.
Michelin Group bought the US
tyre manufacturer and launched
the new-for-Europe BFG range of
truck tyres at the end of 2017.
The brand now rounds out the
Michelin tyre line-up as a strong
mid-range tyre competitor,
positioned below Michelin and
above the budget ranges of Riken,
Orium and Tigar. Retread tyres
are offered under the Michelin
Remix and Encore ranges.
The BFG tyres, part of the
Route Control range, are aimed
at regional long-distance
operations and are suitable for
most mixed general haulage
operations in the UK. We took the
truck to tyre service company R J
Strang’s Broxburn depot to have
the old, worn tyres replaced. The
whole process took less
than an hour thanks to
the expert skills of Kevin