Since 1942, South Korean tire maker Hankook has been manufacturing quality tires for a variety of vehicles like passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, light trucks, commercial vehicles, and more. Made under different categories such as all-season, all-terrain, all-weather, UHP, summer, winter, and commercial, Hankook tires pass through stringent quality checks before rolling out of the factories. Among the world’s largest tire companies, Hankook released the Vantra LT range a decade back to cater to the growing demands of the commercial van market.

Suitable for commercial vans and transport vehicles, the Hankook Vantra LT (RA18) is an all-season tire that promises enhanced traction, grip, stability, and great year-round performance in dry, wet, and light snow. The tire comes with a reinforced carcass, robust construction, and strong sidewall design for carrying heavy loads between different locations. Covering most of the commercial vehicle sizes, the Vantra LT (RA18) is available in a wide range of tire sizes. With an 8-ply construction, the tire features steel belts and advanced tread compound for superior durability and all-around performance.

So, does the tire have enough to qualify for a preferred commercial tire? Let’s find out the answer in this Hankook Vantra LT (RA18) tire review.

Features and Benefits

All-season tires are designed to offer superior grip and traction in changing weather conditions throughout the year. The all-season, commercial tires feature a strong carcass and durable compound for heavy-load carrying capacity and extra longevity. The Vantra LT (RA18) promises improved traction, grip, and handling with great luggage carrying capacity.

• Solid traction and grip – The Hankook tire’s symmetric tread design offers great grip and traction in dry and wet conditions. While the circumferential grooves clear water quickly from the surface to regain traction and avoid the risk of hydroplaning, the stiff shoulder blocks reduce braking distances on dry roads. The presence of special 3D lateral grooves allows improved grip on snow and ice.
• Rugged construction for extra durability – The reinforced carcass and dual steel belts ensures the tread wears evenly and doesn’t deform under the pressure of heavy load. Meanwhile, the solid shoulder blocks prevent premature wearing of the tread. The strengthened belt layer, high-density bead filler, and optimized inner liner all come together to maintain the ideal tire shape at all times. The 8-ply construction lends superior durability for transporting goods between places.
• Long-lasting wear – The optimized road contact between the tread and the surface distributes even driving pressure, which not only promotes even wear but also resists premature wearing. Whether accelerating, braking or cornering, the tread divides the ground forces so that the pressure is optimally distributed and limits any irregular wear. Moreover, the tread elements are stable and do not flex to further boost the longer tread life.

Pros and Cons

While the Vantra LT (RA18) comes with a good number of advantages, it has some negatives too. Let’s have a quick look at the pros and cons of the tire before summing up this Hankook Vantra LT (RA18) review.

Pros

• Circumferential grooves quickly remove water and resist hydroplaning
• Double steel belts for strengthening the structure
• Reinforced carcass for extra durability
• The protection shield within the sidewall safeguards the tire from curbs and stones
• 8-ply construction for longer service life

Cons

• It doesn’t come with any tread life warranty
• It cannot be driven in moderate to severe winter weather conditions
• Only available for commercial vans and light trucks

SimpleTire’s view on Hankook Vantra LT (RA18) tires

To sum it up, the Hankook tire is a good option for commercial vehicle owners who are looking for a reliable tire that can offer good traction, grip, handling, and durability. However, no mileage warranty is certainly a major downside of this commercial tire.

Vehicles the Hankook Vantra LT (RA18) is a good replacement tire for

The Hankook Vantra LT (RA18) is a good replacement tire option for vehicles like Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Courier, Mazda B2000, Nissan 720, and several others.