Conti Basics

Class 1

6,000 lbs or less

Class 2

6,001 to 10,000

Class 3

10,001 to 14,000

Class 4

14,001 to 16,000

class 5

16,001 to 19,500

class 6

19,501 to 26,000

Class 7

19,501 to 33,000

Class 8

33,000 and up

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

›Maximum allowable weight of the Truck + Payload (NOT trailer)​

Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)

Maximum allowable weight of Truck + Payload + Trailer​

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

Maximum allowable weight on one axle

Dry Van / Reefer

Common enclosed freight trailer.

Insulated and fitted with a climate control unit

Tanker/Bulk

Trailer that is a large tank, they can hold liquid or granular materials that are transloaded into them.

Flatbed

Used to haul equipment or large goods that would not fit inside an enclosed trailer. Caravan style tarps can also be used on these kinds of trailers.

Specialty

›Car Haulers, Livestock Trailers, Specialty Flatbeds for Heavy Haul, Gas (liquid O2 or NO) Trailers, or other custom trailers.

Descriptive Layout

Describes what the truck is used for or looks like

Technical Description

Looks at the number of wheel ends and the number of powered wheel ends

Single axle day cab (4×2)

Tandem Axle Sleeper (6×4 or 6×2)

Mixer Truck (6×4 or 6×2)

Residential Trash Truck (6×4)

Urban Bus (4×2)

Dump Truck (8×4)

Bead

›Tire bead bundles (usually strands of wire) secure the tire to the wheel.

Bead Filler

A rubber compound placed above the bead bundle that may be used between the body plies which wrap around the bead to tune ride and handling characteristics

Belts

›Typically, two belts with steel cords laid at opposing angles. Belts provide stability to the tread area of the tire, which contributes to wear, handling and traction.

Body Ply

›: Most tires have one or two body plies, each typically comprised of polyester, rayon, or nylon cords within a rubber layer. Body plies function as the structure of the tire and provide the strength to contain the inflation pressure.

Innerliner

A rubber compound used to retain the inflation pressure inside the tire.

Sidewall

›A rubber compound used to cover the body plies on the sides of the tire, which provides abrasion, scuff and weathering resistance.

Tread

Rubber compound and tread pattern provide grip and abrasion resistance contributing to traction and treadwear.

Ply rating

Tire strength rating that indicates the tire’s load-carrying capability and durability.

Load Range

The modern tire classification system that identifies how much weight a tire can carry at a specified air pressure.

Load Index

Numerical code that indicates the maximum weight a tire can carry when properly inflated.

Speed Index (speed rating)

a letter code that identifies the maximum speed a tire can safely sustain under its rated load and inflation conditions.

Ribs

Raised sections of the tread that run uninterrupted around the circumference of the tire.

*Primarily in Steer or Trailer Tires

Lugs or Tread Blocks

These are the raised rubber segments that contact the road.

*Primarily in Drive or Construction Tires

Sipe

This is a small usually linear slot that is molded into the tread.

Open Shoulder

The outside edges of the tread have openings or groves that cut into the outermost ribs.

Closed Shoulder

The outside edges of the tread are solid rubber with no openings or grooves cut into the outermost

Tall Tire

11R22.5, 11R24.5

Low Pro

275/80R22.5 or 295/75R22.5   (LP 22.5)

285/75R24.5 or 275/80R24.5   (LP24.5)

Wide Base/ Float

385/65R22.5

425/65R22.5

445/65R22.5

Specialty

315/80R22.5   (Urban Bus/Trash Truck)

305/70R22.5   (Coach Bus/Construction)

295/60R22.5   (Car Haulers)

Super Single (1 tire that replaces 2)

445/50R22.5  

455/55R22.5

Closed Shoulder Design

Solid shoulder ribs 

Increased tread stability 

More even wear

Lower rolling resistance 

Closed Shoulder Design

Improved fuel economy 

Better resistance to irregular shoulder wear

Lower noise levels

Closed Shoulder Design

Steer tires 

Trailer

Long-haul applications 

Fuel-efficient fleet operations 

Closed Shoulder Design

Reduced traction in mud & snow

Lower grip on loose surfaces

Open Shoulder Design

›Enhanced water evacuation 

›Increased traction 

›Can contribute to improved heat management in certain applications

›Improved self-cleaning performance 

Open Shoulder Design

›Strong wet traction 

›Better snow and mud performance 

›Enhanced grip during acceleration 

Open Shoulder Design

›Drive tires 

›Regional haul operations 

›Mixed-service environments 

Open Shoulder Design

›Increased tread movement 

›Higher rolling resistance 

Potentially faster shoulder wear 

Steer Tires

Steers can feature closed shoulders, and ribs, while long-haul tires can also feature a decoupler groove (the small groove that can be found on the outside edge of both shoulders). They can look very similar to trailer tires; however, steers commonly have a little higher tread depth.

Drive Tires

Drives are frequently a lugged design, and long-haul tires can feature closed shoulders while regional or construction tires frequently use an open shoulder for improved traction.

Trailer Tires

Trailer tires usually feature closed shoulders and ribs. They can frequently resemble steer tires but usually have a lower tread depth than a steer tire for the same application.

14 Ply Rating

Load Range G

16 ply rating

Load Range H

1st step of the retread process

Initial Inspection

2nd step of the retread process

shearography

3rd step of the retread process

Buffing

4th step of the retread process

skiving

5th step of the retread process

Repairs

6th step of the retread process

Extruding

7th step of the retread process

Tread Building

8th step of the retread process

Enveloping

9th step of the retread process

Curing

10th step of the retread process

Final Inspection