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Heavy vehicles commonly use dual tires on their load and traction axles. As the only vehicle component involved in force transmission to the road, the tire is an important element in the road damage process. In this context, two factors involved are the tire's supported load and inflation pressure. Traditional practical assumptions are that each of the tires in dual arrangement supports the same load, and that the contact patch pressure is very similar to the tire's inflation pressure. To provide data about the load distribution and contact pressure in the tire's contact patch, a lab experimental study was carried out. For that, a lab device was used to determine the static load and pressure in the contact patch, using three different sets of heavy duty radial tires subjected to several combinations of supported load and inflation pressure.

The effect of wheelbase variation on the rollover threshold for a three axles' unit heavy-duty vehicle, is presented in this work. For this, a vehicle dynamic behavior simulation model to analyze lateral stability is used. Also, the concept of load distribution on rear axles and the relationship with geometric definition of wheelbase is incorporated, and so, the effect on handling characteristics is analyzed. Besides, results of the combined effect considering stiffness suspension in front and rear axles on resulting handling is included, according wheelbase variation. Results suggest a wheelbase value in which the vehicle highest rollover threshold is obtained.