Continental releases new trailer tire for regional transport
Continental tire production has completed the release of the fifth-generation Conti Hybrid tires for regional cargo transportation, adding the Conti Hybrid HT 5 model to the lineup, designed for use on trailers. Earlier, the HS 5 tires for steering and HD 5 for the driving axle were already presented, and the company says that now they can offer fleets a "technically harmonized solution that meets customers' daily requirements in various conditions, from urban routes to highway hauls and even short off-road sections".
As noted by Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Truck and Bus Tire Development at Continental, the new model is designed to work efficiently with frequent braking and starting, maneuvering on narrow streets, and changing loads, while also providing "a combination of safety, economy, and durability".
In comparison to the Conti Hybrid HT 3+ tires, the new model's resource has increased by 15%, which reduces buyers' costs, and Continental has calculated that for a fleet with 80 trailers, each covering 110,000 km per year, the savings will be approximately 32 tires per year. This is especially important since, according to the company, up to 53% of fleet expenses are spent on tires, and additionally, due to improved tire traction, raw material consumption is reduced, and carbon dioxide emissions are lowered.
The manufacturer emphasizes that the Conti Hybrid HT 5's primary benefits lie in its significantly enhanced grip on wet and cold roads. "The new rubber compound and carefully designed tread pattern provide reliable traction even in challenging weather conditions," Kaiser points out.
The tires have received an "A" rating for external noise level according to the European classification, meaning they contribute to reduced noise pollution, and the tread pattern with zigzag grooves and 2D lamellae is designed to provide stable traction when the tread depth decreases and reliable performance on wet and winter roads. Additionally, the tread stiffness has been optimized for even load distribution in the contact patch, which has improved controllability during braking in rainy weather, the carcass design has been improved to make the tires fully suitable for multiple retreadings, and all tires are also equipped with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags.
The tires will be released on the European market in March 2026 in sizes 385/65 R22.5 and 385/55 R22.5, and by 2027, several other key sizes are planned to be added to the lineup. It is possible to order "smart" tires with a built-in pressure sensor, which allows them to be integrated into the fleet's digital tire management system, ContiConnect.