Archive for December 16th, 2004
Question 32
Posted by Chris on December 16, 2004
Is there an accepted method for calculating the footprint (area in inches^2) of a semitrailer tire? I have tried contacting certain manufacturers and been unable to get this information from them. The tire I am specifically interested is a trailer tire size 11R22.5 with a pressure of 100 psi with a maximum load applied.
Each manufacturer has their own proprietary method for calculating the footprint shape which drives even tread wear. This may explain why you have not had any luck in your quest. However, many manufacturers, Goodyear included, publish the gross contact area for their tires in their engineering data books. See www.goodyear.com/truck for a copy of Goodyear's book.
Briefly consulting the Goodyear book for the G314 11R22.5 trail tire the gross contact are is listed as 62 in^2. The gross contact area does not subtract out for any grooves.
Good Luck!




