Trailer Tires

[nate379]

Tires on my trailer are about done. 10K equipment trailer. Don't really know mileage, but I would guesstimate 15-20k on it.

Bought the trailer new in 2006 and it's seen a fair amount of miles. ST tires on it from company. Made in China cheapies that took a TON of weight to balance.

Hauled a truck for a friend about a month ago and got 2 flats on trailer. Didn't notice until the next day and it chewed up 1 tire pretty good.

What are thought about putting a truck tire on vs a ST tire? ST tires are only rated to 65mph.

 

[Lotek]

Stick with the ST tires, Goodyear Marathon work for me, others like Carlisle. Trailer tires are built with stiffer sidewalls to cut down the swaying, truck and car tires aren't built the same way and aren't recommended. You shouldn't be going over 65 with a trailer anyway, especially a heavy one. They recommend replacing trailer tires every 5 years and not waiting for the tread to wear out. I'm running a 14k gvw horse trailer and put a few miles on it hauling almost every weekend. Except for picking up the odd nail and one leaking rim, haven't had any issues.

 

[Pukeballs]

I've had good experiences with the e rated maxxis tires.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I've had good experiences with the e rated maxxis tires.

I've heard lots of good thing about them. I would like to try them, but mine all blew one-by-one in odd spots, so I have a mix and match of new tires.

 

[Steve from Socal]

I agree with Lotec,

Trailers are not vehicles and are subject to different tire loading. When the trailer makes a turn the tires scrub, truck tires are not designed for this. As to the speed rating, there are some bigger trailer tires rated to 75 but, none in 15 or 16 inch sizes that I am aware of.

Tire pressure is also a big factor in tire life particularly when the tires are at or near their max load. A few pounds under will allow them to flex and get hot.

Steve

 

[Matt M PA]

I too would agree that trailer tires are a must. I recently replaced the tires on my Haulmark. At leas then, (about a year ago) there was only one brand of trailer radial made in the US. Goodyear Marathons. Apparently production of radial trailer tires had moved to China, and thanks to some new tariffs was coming back. My dealer got all new US versions.

I read some really horrible reviews from guys that had the Chinese Carlisles, etc...like having them come apart on the road.

Obviously, all this applied to radials. When I spoe to Carlisle, most of their bias
tires were made here.

 

[koditten]

I totally disagree. As soon as those original trailer tires show sign of wear I replace them with light truck tires. Just find out your total GVW on the trailer and by the correct capacity tires.

The worst radial tires will ride better than the best bias ply tires. As for the swaying and tire scrubbing, I don't notice this being an issue. As long as the trailer is loaded properly, you won't have a problem.

As stated previously, 65 mph is pretty much the max speed when hauling.

 

[Shadowdog500]

As others have indicated, trailer tires are made differently and you should only use trailer tires on a trailer. When I had my camper trailer I usually got load-star trailer tires. I know they were a good tire back then and assume they are still good today (but I would research it to make sure). I run Goodyear G670's on my Motorhome. I dont know if they make a good trailer tire, but they make a great Motorhome tire.

Don't judge trailer tire by tread alone. Look at the date code on the tire and replace them every 5 to 7 years depending on the manufacturer. I know someone who rolled thier,10 year old (new to them) motorhome because of a blowout on what appeared to be a good tire. Funny thing was that I told them to replace the 10 YO tires a few days before and he argued that they had plenty if tread and were fine!

Chris

 

[dirttracker18]

Just to add a little to this mix, I belieive (and perhaps someone can confirm or deny) that in many states you can be fined for running LT tires on a trailer. I think MN is one of those states as I have heard stories of guys having issues with racecar trialers there.

Any truth to this that anyone can confirm?

Others are correct though that LT tires are not designed for use on trailers and are subject to different loading. Stick with trailer tires.

 

[Lotek]

I totally disagree. As soon as those original trailer tires show sign of wear I replace them with light truck tires. Just find out your total GVW on the trailer and by the correct capacity tires.

The worst radial tires will ride better than the best bias ply tires. As for the swaying and tire scrubbing, I don't notice this being an issue. As long as the trailer is loaded properly, you won't have a problem.

As stated previously, 65 mph is pretty much the max speed when hauling.

What kind of trailer do you haul and how many miles? If you are hauling a jonboat on a 2 wheel trailer a couple of miles to the lake you can get away with truck tires, a 21,000gcvw rig with live cargo, I'm not cheaping out on the tires. Have you ever seen how much tire scrub you get when backing a trailer or turning sharply? Car and truck tires aren't designed for that loading. The people who make the trailers specify trailer tires, the tire manufacturers recommend trailer tires for trailers, professional haulers that I know use them, and they put more miles on their trailers in a month than most people do in years. Most of the problems that people have with trailer tires can be traced to underinflation and age.

 

[Kevin54]

I'd stick with a trailer tire if it were me. And a trailer tire will usually dry rot before you wear the tread out. Just figure how much it sits out in all kinds of weather and never moves. Sitting in one spot weeks on end with the sun beating down on the rubber is not a good thing. Especially year after year

 

[ishiboo]

Ditto everyone who said NOT to put LT tires on a trailer. It's a completely different type of application... altogether. (10 points if you get the reference)

The only time I'd go LT is if the trailer was substantially lighter when loaded then your tow rig, and your driving was primarily around the city. You want your tow rig in control, not the trailer.

 

[henrysgarage]

I only use trailer tires. Car/ truck tires will work and many use them, but if you have an accident you can be charged for improper tires. If you get a roadside inspection you will be pulled off the road. Most enclosed car trailers in ON require yearly inspections unless you have some facilities on board to be considered a camper/ car hauler trailer.

 

[dmeadow]

The Goodyear Marathons were a good tire until they moved production to China. However, I understand that Goodyear got fed up with the quality problems in China and moved production back to the States. In any case, check date codes and country of manufacture when buying them.

What ever you do, avoid Chinese made trailer tires. I'm not saying that out of patriotism, just experience between my cargo trailer and my Dad's travel trailer. They were both delivered with Chinese tires and we both had separations within a couple thousand miles. And we both were very careful with haul speeds and inflation.

I currently have US made bias ply Denman tires on my enclosed trailer, but Denman is now out of business. Maxxis and the US made Goodyears are about the only tires I hear anything good about. Lots of opinions are on the RV forums.

 

[december45]

I got Maxxis tires on my travel trailer, night and day difference between the originals, How ever on my tilt bed trailer i got E rated 16" LT tires and works fine have towed that across the country never a problem.

 

[koditten]

As stated previously most of the original tires that come on a new trailer are Chinese, bias ply tires. I am sure most will agree, these are pretty poor tires to begin with. I do lots of trailering with a 8k car hauler. Once you replace those **** tires with a decent radial LT tire, you will never want to tow a trailer with bias ply tires again.

I will always take ride improvment and control. As for the scrubbing of trailer tires, I don't buy it. Look how much truck tires scrub when you turn sharply in a parking lot.

If you can quote the actual rules or laws I might be swayed the other way. Until then MY actual experience has shown ME how much better the trailer tows.

As a side note, the one thing about radials is you can plug the tires if you get a punture. I never have good luck plugging the bias ply tires, again this has been my expirience.

 

[Hud]

Our local tire shops and Wal-mart will not put a passenger tire on a trailer.

 

[koditten]

You are correct, most chain tire joints won't do this.

 

[dirttracker18]

As stated previously most of the original tires that come on a new trailer are Chinese, bias ply tires. I am sure most will agree, these are pretty poor tires to begin with. I do lots of trailering with a 8k car hauler. Once you replace those **** tires with a decent radial LT tire, you will never want to tow a trailer with bias ply tires again.

I will always take ride improvment and control. As for the scrubbing of trailer tires, I don't buy it. Look how much truck tires scrub when you turn sharply in a parking lot.

If you can quote the actual rules or laws I might be swayed the other way. Until then MY actual experience has shown ME how much better the trailer tows.

As a side note, the one thing about radials is you can plug the tires if you get a punture. I never have good luck plugging the bias ply tires, again this has been my expirience.

So buy radial trailer tires then?!?

I can take a tarp and some bungee cords and stuff them into a backpack and call it my parachute. Will it work, maybe, is it safe, certainly not.

People that skirt safety on the road because they know better then the engineers that design the tires need a rude awakening before they change their ways. Unfortunately it is the innocent driver beside you that pays the price when the fit hits the shan.

Tow safely or don't tow at all.

Not much better then the guys that brag about how much they can overload their truck and still get home.

 

[Lotek]

So buy radial trailer tires then?!?

I can take a tarp and some bungee cords and stuff them into a backpack and call it my parachute. Will it work, maybe, is it safe, certainly not.

People that skirt safety on the road because they know better then the engineers that design the tires need a rode awakening before they change their ways. Unfortunately it is the innocent driver beside you that pays the price when the fit hits the shan.

Tow safely or don't tow at all.

Not much better then the guys that brag about how much they can overload their truck and still get home.

+1, there are 2 people dead in San Diego, because some idiot didn't understand his boat and overloaded a 26' sailboat with 10 people in the cockpit, he had been getting away with it for years, and it finally caught up with him, didn't think the rules applied to him because it was a charity

Truck tires don't scrub anything like a 4 or 6 wheel trailer being turned sharply, especially backing up. Try doing a u turn in a residential street with a 3 horse gooseneck.

 

[willysrule]

I've always had great luck with Goodyear Marathon's...they are not ceap but work great and last even better...

I don't like bias trailer tires either, the marathons are radials...

 

[koditten]

Too many variables to be stating the accident was from bad tires. I know what **** those bias tires are. I deal with them every day. So far I have only heard refferences to laws and accidents caused by using LT tires on trailers. Show me some facts. Also make sure you check for stats on accidents with bias tires on trailers.

As for backing up tandem trailers and jack knifing them, I have rolled the bead on more bias ply tires than I have with radials. I jackknife my tandem every time I use it. The LT radials work just fine.

By using your thaught process, every home made trailer with car tires should not be allowed on the road. I don 't think that is going to happen.

I take great care in making sure I choose a tire that exceeds the weight of the trailer and what I will be carrying. I am not diving in the used tire dumpster. I want a safe, reliable tire.

You still havn't convinced me yet.

I have an open mind, do you?

 

[trbomax]

I have Marathons on my equipment trailer,but LRc LT tires on the 28' enclosed sled trailer. LR e LT bridgestones on my dump trailer,and marithon LR D on the horse trailer.To be honest,when towing I cant tell the difference. The newest unit is the horse trailer ,at 3 yrs,oldest the dump box at 6 yrs, and Ive never had a flat or problem with any of them.The equipment trailer I will have to replace with marathons (when the time comes) because they are "G" (?) rated (4 tires on a 14000gvw unit),but the rest will get LT's.As a side note,the sled trailer came with some kind of asian trailer rated tires,but it "wiggeled" and swayed so bad above 55mph,that I replaced them with the bias ply LT's. Problem solved.A dual sway control didnt fix it,but loseing the radials did.

 

[dirttracker18]

By using your thaught process, every home made trailer with car tires should not be allowed on the road. . .

I jackknife my tandem every time I use it. . .

They are not allowed on the road in most places and should certainly not be using passenger car tires.

Once again, getting away with it does not make it safe and why not buy radial trailer tires?

Why in the world would you jackknife your trailer everytime you use it? The tongue on your trailer was not designed for that purpose and putting stress on it like that is further demonstrating your lack of concern for safe trailering practices.

Sure hope you know to cross those chains as one day you made need them.

 

[willysrule]

I only run trailer tires now but I will admit I ran LT tires on my first home made car trailer and never had a problem getting it inspected...In PA trailers registered 3k lbs or over has to be inspected yearly...here is the requirements for tires...

(1) Inspect the tires and wheels and reject if one or more of the following apply:

(i) Any tire has two adjacent treads with less than 2/32-inch tread remaining at any point.

(ii) The tire is worn so that tread wear indicators contact road in any two adjacent grooves.

(iii) Part of the ply or cord is exposed.

(iv) A tire has been repaired with blow-out patch or boot.

(v) There is a bump, bulge or separation.

(vi) A tire is marked ‘‘not for highway use,’’ ‘‘for racing purposes only’’ or ‘‘unsafe for highway use,’’ or has any similar designation.

(vii) There are other conditions or markings reasonably believed to render tire unsafe for highway use.

(viii) A tire has been regrooved or recut below original tread design depth.

(ix) A tire extends beyond the outer edge of the wheel housing or exceeds the manufacturer’s specifications as to size.

(x) Tires on same axle are not the same size or type of construction—bias, belted or radial.

(xi) The wheel nuts or bolts are missing or loose or have improper thread engagement.

(xii) The stud or bolt holes are worn out of round.

(xiii) Part of the wheel is bent, cracked, welded or damaged so as to affect safe operation of vehicle.

(xiv) Studded tires are in use after April 15 and before November 1.

(xv) The diameter of duals is not within 3/8 inch of each other.

(xvi) An axle has missing tires or rims.

a little off topic but this is one that surprises alot of people in PA as well..

(3) Inspect the braking system.

(i) Reject if one or more of the following apply:

(R) All wheels are not equipped with brakes.

 

[trbomax]

There is no statute in either mi or oh that mandated the type of tires to be used on any vehicle. As far as I know,they just need to be DOT approved for "on highway use" anywhere in the states. Back when we ran the race boats, all of those trailers had passsenger car tires on them ,for better ride quality. We were in and out of canada several times a year and nobody ever "checked" any tires.

 

[ishiboo]

You could also put small light truck tires on a car, or wet racing tires rated for sufficient load on a truck. It doesn't mean it won't "work", you just won't get proper performance out of the tire as it's not doing what it's designed to do.

Trailer tires have stiffer sidewalls and are typically not as wide as a truck carrying the same weight. The truck tells the trailer where to go, not the other way around.

Joe Nobody towing his little garden trailer around the city with car tires is one thing, towing a 10-16k trailer on the highway with a 7500 lb truck is another.

It's like running extension cord in your wall instead of in-wall rated NM, it'll basically work and be safe 99.999% of the time, but when something goes wrong, you'll wish you had spent the extra couple bucks for what was designed for the job.

 

[Az Scooter]

Just to be a contrarian, I HATE Trailer tires. I have had horrible luck with them because I have had them blow out, tread separates, etc. I replace them typically every two years. I have lost a tread on a brand new tire, and been told that there is ZERO warranty on a trailer tire, but the dealer was willing to sell me one at his dead cost. A good friend, so I trust him.
That being said, I have started using 16" commercial T/A's on my work trailers, that typically roll about 2000 miles a month, day in, and day out. Since I have started doing that, the trailer tows better, I get better mileage, and I have not lost a tread.
So my recommendation, considering that I am certain I tow a trailer more then 90% of the people around, is to get commercial T/A's for a work trailer.

 

[koditten]

Az Scooter:

That could have been my posting. It seemed if I just looked at trailer tires wrong they would blow.

 

[dmeadow]

As stated previously most of the original tires that come on a new trailer are Chinese, bias ply tires. I am sure most will agree, these are pretty poor tires to begin with. I do lots of trailering with a 8k car hauler. Once you replace those **** tires with a decent radial LT tire, you will never want to tow a trailer with bias ply tires again.

The new trailers I have seen come with Chinese radial tires, not bias ply. Though I absoutely agree that they are poor tires.

I've also come to the conclusion that good radial tires are preferable to bias ply. I haven't had any trouble with the bias ply tires on my trailer, but my father had the identical ones on his and found that they seemed more sensitive to alignment than the radials and they didn't pull well and wore unevenly. That seems to make sense given bias ply tires tend to have stiffer sidewalls than radials. Although he did find he had to have his axles straightened. He thought that they were bent by the installers that put on the bias ply, so he doesn't have a direct comparison of the radials on the same bent axles.

I've seen LT tires recommended before, and don't have any prejudice against them, though I would only use them if I could get them in a load range that was at least one step higher (E vs. D, for example) than the trailer manufacturer recommends. Otherwise, why not just get the trailer tire? As it stands, there are no LT's that fit the rims I've got on my trailer, so it is academic.

 

[csp]

A lot of the new 7k car hauler trailers around here have "P" tires, and those are probably Chinese as well.

 

[Lotek]

It's all a big conspiracy, the man trying to keep us down, forcing us to use crappy Chinese tires, remember the 200 mpg carburetor?

Marathons have a decent warranty have never needed mine, but it's there. There are P and LT trailer tires as well as the more common ST.

 

[csp]

There are P and LT trailer tires as well as the more common ST.

Where did you get that from? P is Passenger and LT is light truck. Neither are intended to be used on trailers.

 

[Lotek]

Here is the LTtrailer tire Don't have time to look up P trailer tires...

Tire types are confusing, it's part of the conspiracy.

 

[HOTFR8]

I've had good experiences with the e rated maxxis tires.

I have a MAXXIS trailer tyres on all my trailers. They have an LT (Light truck) type pattern.

 

[SouthCoastMudder]

LT tires here on my 16' trailer, and trailer tires on my 24' boat trailer and I will say my boat tires wear and ride absolutely horrible.

 

[Lotek]

Those who are wearing out trailer tires might want to check for a bent axle, since LT tires are more forgiving of alignment problems because of the softer sidewall, they won't show the wear as readily. that and keep the tire pressures to spec.

 

[Pukeballs]

This is a real hot topic over at RV.net. Especially the L/T tires vs trailer tires. Also some horror story's regarding the infamous Carlisle brand. I'll never ever use that brand.

 

[koditten]

I have had several customers special order hubs for the trailers that I build them. This way they have all the same tires and rims on both the trailer and the tow vehicle. Saves on space, no need to carry 2 different spares.

 

[willysrule]

I have had several customers special order hubs for the trailers that I build them. This way they have all the same tires and rims on both the trailer and the tow vehicle. Saves on space, no need to carry 2 different spares.

makes sense but sounds stupid to not carry a spare for both...you have at least 8 tires that you could have a problem with...

It would be cool thou to have two spares that would fit the truck or trailer...