LLA28
There are a lot of trailer tires for long-haul transportation. The specificity of such transportation is movement on high quality, mainly flat asphalt or concrete surfaces. It is difficult to predict how such rubber will behave off paved roads. Most likely, due to insufficient resistance to mechanical deformations, tires intended for long-distance transportation on unpaved roads will not last long.
However, along with trailed tires intended for main roads, there are universal tires. For example, the model LLA28, which we will discuss next, can be used on both motorways and country roads.
General characteristics
Manufacturer: Shandong Leao March Tire Co., Ltd.
Country: China.
Model: LLA28.
Brand: Leao.
Price segment: budget.
Location: trailers and semi-trailers.
Purpose: for commercial medium-duty vehicles.
Features of operation: regional cargo and passenger transportation on roads and light off-road.
Seasonality: all-season / all-weather.
Sealing method: tubeless.
Tread type: symmetrical non-directional.
Design features: frame of radial weaving and reinforcement with metal belts.
Tread height: 17.5 mm.
Maximum long-term speed: (K / J) 85mph.
Maximum single wheel load: 10000-11000 lb.
About tire construction
As originally stated, the LLA28 is a versatile tire that performs well on both level asphalt and ground. This result was achieved thanks to many factors, but the main reason is in the design features. These tires are equipped with a reinforced carcass, center rib reinforcement and sidewall reinforcement.
As with most of its products, Leao Tire uses a radial weave carcass in its LLA28 tires. Yes, radial tires are slightly heavier than bias tires, but they are significantly stronger due to their resistance to frontal deformations and tears. In the carcass of these tires, the metal cords are fitted closer together than usual. As a result, the LLA28 can withstand higher pressures than most trailed tires designed for long-haul trucks.
Reinforcement of the central rib and sidewalls is made using metal belts. Such a measure prevents the use of the tire when hitting certain obstacles. Again, the presence of such belts ensures that the tire is evenly pressed to the road, as a result, the tread wears off evenly, which means that the tire's life becomes longer.
Metal belts running along the center rib balance the carcass making the tire more balanced. This is a very important point, as a well-balanced tire does not impede rolling. As a result, these tires do not brake the trailer and this makes the fuel consumption of the tractor more economical.
Tire running characteristics
Unlike steering or drive wheels, there are no special requirements for the running characteristics of trailed tires. However, good trailed tires must have sufficient directional stability so that the trailer does not drift to the side both when driving in a straight line and when cornering.
An equally important point is the braking distance. It is no secret that the tractor will brake with a loaded trailer, and therefore the braking distance on new tires should be small. And the third requirement is that good tires should not create resistance to wheel rotation. How well do LLA28 meet these requirements?
Thanks to the pronounced longitudinally located tread channels, excellent directional stability is provided. The tires guide the trailer along the trajectory of the tractor. Moreover, excellent exchange rate stability remains at any time of the year, regardless of weather conditions.
If you look closely at the five longitudinal channels running along the central rib, you will notice that they have a zigzag shape. These zigzags increase traction when braking. The zigzag arrangement is such that the tire does not impede rolling evenly until the driver applies the brakes.
Duration of operation
It is clear that long service life and reliability are of interest primarily when choosing tires for driving wheels. However, trailed tires also need to be strong and durable enough that they do not have to be replaced prematurely.
Leao Tire guarantees most of its truck tires up to 65,000 miles. or up to 5 years from the date of purchase. It can be assumed that such a guarantee indicates that the tires are reliable and durable. And this is true, since most of the LLA28 buyers write about the long-term resource in their reviews.
High quality LLA28
As already mentioned, this tire model, as well as most of Leao Tire's products, is presented in the budget price segment. It would seem that the workmanship should not be the highest, but not in this case. Fashion LLA28 is superior in quality and, therefore, performance to similar products from more popular brands.
The reason for this lies in the desire of the Chinese company Leao Tire to reliably establish itself in the western market. That is why these tires are sold at low prices, while the quality is high. And high quality is ensured by the automation of most of the production processes and constant control of finished products. Therefore, you need to try very hard to find the message about the factory defect LLA28.
Let's summarize
Let's start with the advantages of LLA28.
Truly reliable and durable tires. The resource of this model exceeds that of most budget all-season tires. Therefore, if you need durability and, as a result, saving money, this is what you need.
Self-cleaning function. Part of the reason for the LLA28's durability is that no stones get stuck in the tread. As you know, stones in the tread channels contribute to the destruction of the tire. The stones are removed from the LLA28 tread by themselves thanks to the centrifugal force and the special tread shape.
Short braking distances. Thanks to its excellent grip, this tire model makes cargo transportation safer and more predictable.
Directional stability in motion and, as a result, comfortable driving. No matter how experienced the driver is, driving a towing vehicle with a trailer is not an easy task. But, if the trailer, thanks to the LLA28 tires, follows the trajectory of the tractor, everything is much simpler and easier.
Fuel economy. Because the LLA28's are well balanced, they are less anti-rolling. As a result, the tractor consumes about 10% less fuel than usual. This is a significant savings, especially if the vehicle also uses well-balanced tires from Leao Tire.
Are there any disadvantages and how significant are they?
There are drawbacks, but there are few of them, and rather they are not even drawbacks, but the features of these tires. Well, for example, the optimal temperature range for using these tires is from 73 to 33F. No, of course, these tires will go where it is hotter and where it is colder. But use in less favorable conditions will cause increased wear.
To make it clear - in the heat, the protector softens and wears out faster than at normal temperature. In cold weather, rubber hardens and because of this, the braking distance increases. But what is worse, microcracks appear in the tread thickness, which negatively affects the condition of the tire. But remember, LLA28 is an all-season tire. And all-season tires, regardless of the price segment, operate well in regions with a temperate climate, where there are no harsh winters and moderately hot summers.