Don’t Let Spikes Stop You SVI Tests Runflat Rings’ Effectiveness

South African motorists are on high alert with the rise of spiking incidents, a dangerous tactic where criminals place sharp objects on the road to puncture tyres and force vehicles to stop. This leaves drivers vulnerable to robbery and attack.

SVI Engineering, a leading manufacturer of armoured vehicles, has taken a proactive approach to this growing threat. To showcase a potential solution, they conducted a real-world test at the Gerotek testing facility near Pretoria.

The Test: Flats Over Runflat Rings vs. Spikes

The test vehicle? A tough Toyota Land Cruiser 79, specifically outfitted with a set of heavy-duty Flats Over runflat rings within its tyres. SVI didn’t hold back – they designed a particularly brutal set of spikes to simulate a real-world attack.

The results were impressive. After driving over the spikes, both driver-side tyres lost pressure, as expected. However, thanks to the runflat rings, the vehicle remained completely controllable. The driver continued driving, even after one tyre disintegrated! By the time SVI’s test period ended, the runflat rings had allowed the vehicle to travel a remarkable 23 kilometres at an average speed of 50 km/h, with zero damage to the wheels themselves.

“Keep Driving” – The Power of Runflat Technology

“The most important takeaway is that we could have kept going even further,” says Nicol Louw, SVI Business Development Director. “This test proves that even the most aggressive spiking attempts are no match for Flats Over. It empowers drivers to simply keep driving, a crucial advantage in such a dangerous situation.”

Louw highlights additional benefits of runflat technology. “One of the most frequent questions we get is about tyre vulnerability on armoured vehicles,” he explains. “Flats Over provides a solution. These imported rings offer protection not only against spiking but also against ballistic attacks.”

Flats Over: More Than Spike Protection

SVI is the authorized distributor of Flats Over runflat rings in Southern Africa. This internationally certified product boasts certifications from Millbrook (England), TÜV Nord (Germany), and CESVI (Brazil).

The Flats Over system is a robust rubber ring, split into two halves, that fits inside the standard tyre along with a cable structure for secure attachment. Essentially, each ring acts as a secondary, highly durable “spare tyre” within the main tyre.

This innovative solution offers a multi-pronged approach to protecting your wheels:

• Spike Defence: As demonstrated in the test, Flats Over allows you to drive on after encountering spikes.

• Ballistic Protection: The system remains functional even after multiple bullet impacts.

• Pothole Protection: The runflat rings help minimize damage from potholes, another common South African road hazard.

Cost and Availability

Flats Over runflat rings can be installed on armoured vehicles, regular passenger cars, trailers, and most other vehicles with 16- to 23-inch wheels. A set of four rings starts at R43,786 (excluding VAT). Installation is relatively simple, requiring no special tools and can be done by most tyre shops after receiving proper training.

With the growing threat of spiking incidents, SVI’s test offers compelling evidence for the effectiveness of Flats Over runflat rings. This technology can provide peace of mind on the road, allowing you to focus on the journey, not the dangers that might lie beneath your tyres.

The post Don’t Let Spikes Stop You SVI Tests Runflat Rings’ Effectiveness first appeared on Fuelled.