Hello Basingstoke,
Thanks for joining the debate. Yes the military do use bands, but does that make the case for ordinary drivers to use the same technology? The manufacture would like you to think so. but that only holds true if you can make direct comparisons about design, manufacture, and usage.
The manufacture publishes videos of various different vehicles reportedly using bands, and running with flat tyres. In some cases they try to mimic a blow out using a small explosive charge. The problem for me is that whilst these demonstrations appear to be impressive, what do they actually show?
Well straight off, they only demonstrated the case for fitting bands, which is of course a good marketing ploy. After all everyone is likely to favour a product that appears to 'improve safety' Unfortunately they do not show what happens when the same vehicles are used without bands, for all we know the results might be the same, and cold be because tyre and wheel designers have improved the wheels rims ability to retain the tyre bead.
Secondly does the way they cause the blow out accurately mimic what happens in real life. And if not how would it be different and how would it affect the outcome.
Fundamentally the effectiveness of the bands relies on the tread remaining attached to both walls of the tyre. If either or both walls lets go, the tyre ceases to provide any directional stability to the vehicle.
As tyre fitters will tell you, a tyre that has suffered a 'blow out' rarely has a neat small bullet hole, its usually a ragged flap which extends for s significant arc of the tyres circumference. This is usually due to the tyre having been abused most commonly through under inflation. The lower pressure means the tyre walls have to flex more with each rotation. This generates excess heat in the side walls which degrades the wall material and construction. After enough punishment the wall has a weakened circular track in both side walls, and like a balloon if it ruptures at one point, the rupture propagates a tear which follows the weakened track. Continuing to run on a tyre with this damaged rapidly causes the tyre to further damage and de-lamination.
The manufactures video's show a small explosive charge acting on a very localised portion of tyre wall. This is entirely different to the more likely scenario above. The tyre will not have a weakened track, so there will be less propensity for the tyre wall to 'tear' further when the charge is exploded. it will therefore retain its tread for longer. This type of damage is very close to the effects of a tyre being shot, which is one of the reasons the band do find an application in military vehicles.
Now such demonstrations are scientifically unsound. The manufacturer should be publishing verifiable data that proves their claims. Think on, If the technology was as spectacularly good as the manufacture claims, why are there so few manufactures? By now everyone would be making and fitting them, insurance companies would be offering discounts, And the EU would have legislation in place. The absence of all these tell-tale signs points to the unproven case for bands.
If you feel the need to fit them to your caravan, then you should also be fitting them to your car as the 'perceived benefits' will be with every time you drive.
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