Abstract: A method for platooning tractor trailers (12, 20) is provided in which tread volumetric void percentages of first tractor tires (18) and second tractor tires (26) are determined. These tread volumetric void percentages are weighted at a ratio of at least 80/20 steer/drive and are used to determine tread volumetric void percentages of the first and second tractor trailers (12, 20). The first and second tractor trailers (12, 20) are positioned in a platoon (10) so that the one of the first and second tractor trailer (12, 20) that has the lower tread volumetric void percentage is positioned in front of the other of the first or second tractor trailers (12, 20) so long as a difference of at least 7% is present between the tread volumetric void percentages of the first and second tractor trailers (12, 20).

Abstract: A heavy truck tire is provided that has a plurality of tread zones located at different locations in a lateral direction of the tread and configured for engaging a road. The first tread zone has a first max tan(?), and a second tread zone located next to the first tread zone in the lateral direction has a second max tan(?) is different than the first max tan(?). The second tread zone is between the first tread zone and a third tread zone. The third tread zone has a third max tan(?) that is the same as or close to the first max tan(?). The first, second and third max tan(?) are all within the range from 0.01-0.30. Also, either the first max tan(?) is at least 0.05 greater than the second max tan(?) or the second max tan(?) is at least 0.05 greater than the first max tan(?).

Abstract: A heavy truck tire is provided that includes a casing with a central axis, and a rubber tread that has a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is located farther from the central axis in a radial direction than the second layer. The first layer has a lower max tan(?) than a max tan(?) of the second layer. The max tan(?) of the first layer is from 0.06-0.15, and the max tan(?) of the second layer is from 0.12-0.27. The tire also has a sculptural feature that reduces irregular wear.

Abstract: The invention provides for a heavy truck tire having a sub-casing, a belt package and a rubber tread, the tread comprising a center zone separating two shoulder zones. The upper shoulder layer consisting of an upper shoulder rubber compound being different from a lower shoulder rubber compound, wherein: the upper shoulder rubber compound has a G*50 of at least 1.3 Mpa and a max tan(?) of at least 0.12; the lower shoulder rubber compound has a max tan(?) not greater than the max tan(?) of a center rubber compound in the center zone being intended to come into contact with the ground; and the center rubber compound has a max tan(?) of at most 0.09.

Abstract: A heavy truck tire is provided that includes a casing with a central axis, and a rubber tread that has a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is located farther from the central axis in a radial direction than the second layer. The first layer has a lower max tan(?) than a max tan(?) of the second layer. The max tan(?) of the first layer is from 0.06-0.15, and the max tan(?) of the second layer is from 0.12-0.27. The tire also has a sculptural feature that reduces irregular wear.

Abstract: A heavy truck tire is provided that has a plurality of tread zones located at different locations in a lateral direction of the tread and configured for engaging a road. The first tread zone has a first max tan(?), and a second tread zone located next to the first tread zone in the lateral direction has a second max tan(?) is different than the first max tan(?). The second tread zone is between the first tread zone and a third tread zone. The third tread zone has a third max tan(?) that is the same as or close to the first max tan(?). The first, second and third max tan(?) are all within the range from 0.01-0.30. Also, either the first max tan(?) is at least 0.05 greater than the second max tan(?) or the second max tan(?) is at least 0.05 greater than the first max tan(?).

Abstract: The invention provides for a heavy truck tire (1) having a sub-casing, a belt package (19) and a rubber tread (2), the tread extending axially form a first tread edge (N) to a second tread edge (N?) over a rolling tread width (RTW), the tread comprising a shoulder zone (21) adjacent to each of said first and second edges and a center zone (25) separating the two shoulder zones, each shoulder zone comprising a radially lower shoulder layer (24) and a radially upper shoulder layer (22), the upper shoulder layer being intended to come into contact with the ground and the lower shoulder layer being interposed between the belt package and the upper shoulder layer, the upper shoulder layer consisting of an upper shoulder rubber compound, the lower shoulder layer consisting of a lower shoulder rubber compound being different from the upper shoulder rubber compound, wherein: —the upper shoulder layer extends a distance LI from a tread edge (N, N?) axially inward, the distance LI being greater than 15% and less than 4