TBC adds Sumitomo steer, drive radials

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 27, 2017) — TBC Corp. is launching a pair of SmartWay-verified Sumitomo-brand truck radials at the 2017 Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) annual meeting in Nashville.

The tires are the Sumitomo ST788 SE steer- and ST948 SE drive-position radials.

Aaron Murphy, vice president of commercial truck tire sales for TBC Brands said that both tires represent the "latest generation of developments for the Sumitomo brand of truck tires."

"These tires," he said, "have been developed with the latest Sumitomo Rubber Industries proprietary 4D Nano technology and offer the market product performance not seen from Sumitomo truck tires before now."

The ST788 SE steer tire is designed for line-haul and long-distance operations that require superior mileage and a lower cost per mile in their tire programs. It features micro-sipes throughout the tread area and teardrop shaped decoupling grooves that improve wear, retreadability and durability, TBC claims.

The ST948 SE drive tire offers 30/32nds inch tread depth, wide tread blocks to reduce tread squirm and increase miles to removal. The tread face contains micro-sipes to disperse water and increase traction as well as a wider footprint that offers a consistent contact patch on the road.

Both products are available in the four sizes — 11R22.5, 11R24.5, 295/75R22.5 and 285/75R24.5 — with the ST788 SEs also available in sizes 295/75R22.5 and 285/75R24.5 in Load Range H.