What is the difference between nylon tires and steel-belted tires?
2 Answers
Nylon tires, also known as bias-ply tires, are the opposite of radial tires. The carcass ply layers consist of multiple layers of rubber-coated fabric, with adjacent layers having the same cord angle. They are a traditional structure of pneumatic tires with a long history and wide application. Radial tires (radial tires) are a type of tire structure, different from bias-ply tires, arched tires, and pressure-adjusted tires. The international code for radial tires is "R," commonly known as "steel-belted tires." The differences between nylon tires and steel-belted tires are as follows: 1. Price: Steel-belted tires are twice as expensive as nylon tires. 2. Structure: Nylon tires have a bias-ply structure, while steel-belted tires have a radial (vertical) structure. 3. Material: Nylon tires are primarily made of nylon, while steel-belted tires are mainly made of steel. 4. Manufacturing process: Nylon tires are simpler to produce, while steel-belted tires are more complex.
I've driven heavy trucks for over a decade and know tires inside out. The biggest difference between nylon tires and steel tires lies in the skeleton material – nylon tires use nylon cord layers while steel tires use steel cord wires. On dirt roads, nylon tires are softer with better cushioning and less prone to blowouts, but they're terrible for highways as the cord layers deform at high temperatures, making steering feel floaty. Steel tires are much sturdier, providing excellent stability for long-haul heavy loads with superior heat dissipation – they can easily last 200,000 km. However, steel tires cost about one-third more and have stiffer sidewalls, making them rougher on bumpy roads. Since I mainly drive provincial highways year-round, I choose steel tires despite the higher cost for greater peace of mind – the risk of blowouts is significantly reduced.
