Goodyear has introduced the company’s first commercial use of microchips in truck tyres. The new Goodyear Regional RHT II RFID (Radio Frequency Identity) 435/50R19.5 trailer tyre has a microchip built into it, which interfaces with FleetOnlineSolutions, Goodyear’s internet-based tyre management program. The new tyre offers fleet operators benefits including reduced downtime, improved tyre management and greater security. This technology won an award for Goodyear in Latin America earlier this year.

Monitoring tyres can be a slow process as each tyre has to be identified by its sidewall markings, which are often not easy to see due to dirt or scuffing. RFID means that an operative can identify each tyre by passing a hand-held scanner around the sidewall and then have that information accurately electronically recorded. There are further benefits as these tyres are much easier to trace than other tyres if they are stolen and the tyres can be monitored throughout their service lives, including retreading.

The reason that the size 435/50R19.5 was selected for RFID fitment is that it is the most popular tyre size amongst ‘megatrailer’ operators, allowing maximum volume within the European 4 metre overall trailer height limit. Several large ‘megatrailer’ fleets use the Goodyear FleetOnlineSolutions (FOS)1 tyre management system, which operates using the Internet and with the close monitoring of tyres being essential. RFID makes tyre management faster and more accurate.

The microchip is built into the tyre on the assembly line and is programmed with a unique code that identifies the tyre, enabling a hand-held reader to see the type and size of the tyre as well as its unique identity number. In service, a Goodyear service provider or fleet operator can quickly scan all RFID tyres and record the details electronically, saving time and ensuring accuracy. Stock control of new, used and retreaded tyres is a further benefit.

“The new tyres offer us significant benefits”, said Bart van Rens, fleet control manager for Ewals.

“The RFID speeds-up maintenance as it allows us to very quickly and accurately identify the tyres and link into the Goodyear FleetOnlineSolutions fleet management system. It also will reduce the problem of tyres being stolen from our trailers.

“We have been working with Goodyear on these new tyres. With the first tyres we tested, it took some time to locate the microchips with the readers. Now the tyres have marks on the sidewalls to show where the microchips are located and the trailer manufacturers mount the tyres so that they are on the outside. This speeds-up the process even more.”

“Previously, each tire’s six digit identity code would have to be read off the sidewall. This took time and mistakes could easily be made. Now it is fast and it is impossible to make a mistake with RFID,” said Bart. “Every maintenance entry on the computer is 100% correct with these new tyres.”

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