LLA08
Most of the tires designed for equipping commercial vehicles are suitable for use on asphalt highways. But what if, in the course of cargo transportation from the highway, you have to move onto unpaved roads or even off-road? In this case, you will need universal tires suitable for movement on highways and light off-road. Such tires are Leao LLA08 and we will talk about them in this short review.
Main characteristics
Manufacturer: Shandong Leao March Tire Co., Ltd.
- Country: China.
- Model: LLA08.
- Brand: Leao.
- Price segment: budget.
- Location: all positions (on any axis).
- Purpose: for commercial medium-duty vehicles.
- Features of operation: regional cargo and passenger transportation on highways and roads with a flat and dense surface.
- Seasonality: all-season / all-weather.
- Sealing method: tubeless.
- Tread type: symmetrical non-directional.
- Design features a frame of radial weaving and reinforcement with metal belts.
- Tread height: 10.5-14.5 mm.
- Maximum long-term speed: (L, M) 100 mph.
- Maximum load on a single wheel: 4500 lb.
- Maximum double wheel load: 4000 lb.
About tires and their purpose
The scope of application of Leao LLA08 tires is easy to find out by looking at the tread. The tread design of these tires differs markedly from that used on tires intended for long-haul transportation. In this model, it is noticeable that the longitudinal channels are deeper than usual. Moreover, they have a pronounced zigzag shape.
Also, the versatility of the use of these tires is evidenced by the presence of massive and reinforced side lugs. All this provides excellent adhesion both to the asphalt road surface and to unpaved surfaces. Due to the peculiarities of the tread pattern, these tires are truly universal, as they can be installed on both steering wheels and drive wheels.
And of course, we note that LLA08 tires, like most of Leao Tire's products, are all-season and all-weather. They ride on dry and wet road surfaces with equal success. However, like all all-season tires, these tires provide optimal performance in temperatures ranging from 77 to 23F. At temperatures lower or higher than the specified values, the physicochemical properties of the compound from which the tread is cast change, and the tire does not provide the original running characteristics.
About strength and reliability
The tires are designed and built as off-road rubber for use on commercial trucks and buses. Taking into account the peculiarities of operation, the tires are made very durable and resistant to mechanical damage. To ensure sufficient strength in the tire construction, a radial carcass with a particularly dense cord arrangement - braided wire is used.
Although radially woven carcass is an old technology that makes the tire heavier, this solution provides maximum resistance to mechanical deformation. However, the strength of these tires is ensured not only by the radial weaving of the carcass. Along the center rib of the part of the tire that is in direct contact with the road, the structure is reinforced with all-metal belts.
Metal reinforcement, despite its small thickness, is stiff and resilient. Therefore, the LLA08 tire remains intact even after repeated collisions with obstacles such as curbs, speed bumps, etc.
Taking into account the operation on different types of roads, the tires are distinguished by reinforced sidewalls. For added strength, a thicker compound layer is used on the sidewalls of the tires. This solution again makes the tire heavier, but also provides a longer service life.
To make it clear how reliable this type of tire is, we note that Leao Tire provides a 65 thousand miles warranty for tires intended for commercial vehicles.
All-weather operation
What is there, it's no secret that carriers do not like to change summer tires for winter ones. This is understandable since tires are not cheap and laborious to replace. Therefore, all-season tires are installed on most trucks. But the problem is that many all-season tires designed for long-distance trucks do not provide good handling on bare ice. The situation is completely different with LLA08 tires due to the special tread design and thanks to the thermosetting compound that was used in the manufacture of this tread. The tires provide excellent grip on both dry and wet surfaces. This characteristic is relevant for most of the modern tires manufactured by Leao Tire. The fact is that the technologically advanced tread effectively removes water from the contact patch of tires with the road. As a result, even when driving through puddles, the risk of aqua and planning will be minimal.
With a decrease in temperature and with the formation of ice, the quality of car control still decreases, but not critical. The rest of the tires ride well, even on packed snow. To summarize the above - LLA08 is truly an all-season tire, with which you can be sure of safe handling in summer, winter, and even in the off-season. However, one should not forget that the optimum temperature for the operation of these tires is from 77 to 23 F. If the tires are used at more or less high temperatures, then the tread wear will increase, which will negatively affect the duration of the service life.
Fuel economy
Did you know that tires can save fuel? Rather, tires do not save fuel by themselves but can help reduce fuel consumption. For example, LLA08, due to its excellent balance, can reduce fuel consumption by 10% of the amount of fuel consumed when operating other all-season tires.
How does this happen? The LLA08 is a very balanced tire that creates minimal rolling resistance despite the almost off-road tread. Because of its low rolling resistance, the engine runs with less load and uses less fuel to maintain an acceptable speed.
Control comfort
Without exception, all Leao Tire truck tires are distinguished by a high level of directional stability. That is, when the car is driving in a straight line, the driver does not need to constantly steer, since the car does not lead to the side. Directional stability is an important advantage that largely determines driving comfort.
Price and quality
As already mentioned, LLA08 is a tire presented in the budget price segment. But how does the budget cost compare to quality and performance? Judging by customer reviews, there are no problems at all with the workmanship and reliability of the tires.
The quality of these tires corresponds to those of the all-season tires provided in the mainstream segment. Why does it happen? The thing is that Leao Tire has recently entered the western market. Therefore, the Western buyer, spoiled by the products of European, Japanese, and American brands, is not yet familiar with the tires of the Chinese manufacturer.
To gain recognition from Western consumers, Leao Tire is forced to offer its products at very attractive prices. However, for a buyer from Western countries, the affordable price alone may not be enough. Therefore, Leao Tire has implemented multi-stage quality control in its production, combined with maximum automation of production processes. Therefore, in reviews devoted to truck tires from this manufacturer, you will never find a mention of a factory defect, and this, you see, is an important advantage.
As a result, LLA08 is a really good Chinese tire. Well, the fact that they are cheaper than the products of more popular brands is not at all a disadvantage, but most likely even an advantage.