The Dublin-based operator tested four new Krone Euroliner trailers, each fitted with a different brand of 385/65 R22.5 original equipment tyres – including Michelin’s X Multi T.
All four trailers completed similar journeys, in terms of distance and demand. After 12 weeks, Hendrick European began checking the wear on the four sets – noting that the Michelin fitments’ wear slowed significantly after an initial running-in period, unlike the competitor brands that continued to lose tread.
The tyres were rotated around the trailer axles and the three sets of competitor tyres were all removed at around 70,000km, with less than 3mm of tread remaining. In contrast, the X Multi Ts were removed after 140,000km with approximately 4mm remaining, at which point they were regrooved – adding a further 3mm of tread depth and 25,000km to the life of the tyres.
Paul Hendrick, director and workshop manager at Hendrick European, says: “We had never specified Michelin tyres before, but we knew a number of our competitors did, so we wanted to see what we were missing out on. It’s fair to say we were very surprised by the drastic results, particularly given we were comparing four top brands all offered as original equipment.
“Our trailers are always on the road and each one can travel up to 100,000km a year. Now that we know what Michelin tyres are capable of we feel confident that when we specify Michelin tyres again, we will reap the benefits.”