Trailer Tires???

2001 Views 15 Replies 8 Participants Last post by wiskers, Sep 19, 2007

wiskers

Discussion Starter · Sep 18, 2007 (Edited)

What kind of tires are you guys running on your trailers/travel trailers. Reason I ask is cuz when I went to a local trailer shop to buy a matching spare wheel for my 8.5x20' enclosed car hauler I asked if they sell the tires. He said, "No, but I recomend you use light duty truck tires instead of "trailer" tires because it seems people have more problems with trailer rated tires."

What's strikes me as odd is that good trailer tires (like the ones I have on my trailer now, Carlisle Radial Trail) have 10ply, load range E, and hold up to 80psi, which seems like a damn good tire to me. Where as truck tires only hold 45psi but I don't know what the load range and ply is on light duty truck tires but I'm sure it's not as high as trailer tires.

I found a company that sells trailer tires on ebay for $60. They're 225/75/15 load range E, 10ply, and hold 80psi. Shipping is $30. Sound like a good deal??

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red_rider_elsinore

· #2 · Sep 18, 2007 (Edited)

The only way to run a LT tire with enough payload capacity is to run 16" wheels. Like a 235/85/16. I just purchased new trailer tires for my toy box. They were 225/75/15 8ply load range d (2500 lbs). The good thing about LT tires is that they're rated for higher speeds than 65mph. If you can, try to purchase locally in case there's a problem with the tire. My wish is to do a spring over on my trailer and run 16"s, but that would be very expensive for me [I would need 7 tires & wheels]. I like having spares. Right nowI have 4 new tires and carry 3 spares. Just in case because I tow in baja and desert terrain.

I bought my tires for $100 each OTD. Sounds like a good deal, but in case I bad tire I can exchange it locally instead of shipping.

wiskers

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 18, 2007 (Edited)

red_rider_elsinore said:
The only way to run a LT tire with enough payload capacity is to run 16" wheels. Like a 235/85/16. I just purchased new trailer tires for my toy box. They were 225/75/15 8ply load range d (2500 lbs). The good thing about LT tires is that they're rated for higher speeds than 65mph. If you can, try to purchase locally in case there's a problem with the tire. My wish is to do a spring over on my trailer and run 16"s, but that would be very expensive for me [I would need 7 tires & wheels]. I like having spares. Right nowI have 4 new tires and carry 3 spares. Just in case because I tow in baja and desert terrain.

I bought my tires for $100 each OTD. Sounds like a good deal, but in case I bad tire I can exchange it locally instead of shipping.

Ahh, I c. So since my wheels are 15" it's best to stick w/ the trailer rated tires. Yeah, I'm gonna start carrying lots of spare tires and/or wheels w/ me cuz I've had just one too many bad experiences in the middle of the night. :eeeek: I'm not too worried about speed though cuz I never go over 70 when pulling my trailer anyways cuz anything over that drastically reduces MPG.

What kind of tire store do you go to for your tires? I checked the inventory for Discount Tire online and it looks as though they don't even carry them anymoe.

The only other big tire shops are Sears, Sam's/Walmart, and Martin Tire (which is localy owned but a big business). However, there are tons of small joe blow tire shops around but I seriously doubt they have what I need.

red_rider_elsinore

· #4 · Sep 18, 2007

I got mine at Big O Tires. Also check Discount personally. Their web-site is lacking.

mneal

· #5 · Sep 18, 2007

ST (trailer tires have stiffer sidewalls and typically higher load ratings. I have had very good luck with Goodyear Marathon trailer tires.

wiskers

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 18, 2007

red_rider_elsinore said:
I got mine at Big O Tires. Also check Discount personally. Their web-site is lacking.

:hmm: I think we have a Big O Tire here too now that you mention it. Thanx for the replies guys. Keep'em commin'.

Learjet

· #7 · Sep 18, 2007

stay away from the Made in China tires...I found some tow-masters made in Canada at a goodyear plant. The Chinese tires are junk.

Lots of people use Maxxis also.

Good luck

Steamguy

· #8 · Sep 18, 2007

^^^ What he said. There have been reports of blowouts with the Chinese tires.

...Great... just another thing from China to worry about.

Back on subject, I just replaced all four of my trailer's tires with Goodyear Marathons.

We used to sell tires at our shop. One thing to keep in mind: Trailer tires are built different than truck tires, because they have to handle the side loads, plus have you ever looked at your trailer tires when you're backing into a spot? They have to be able to stand up to being twisted like that...

Hope this helps. :cheers:

RangerNewbie

· #9 · Sep 18, 2007

The other thing about trailer tires is they are a LOT harder compound. Not really a big deal driving in a straight line- but if you have to make sharp turns backing up on pavement- you'll really appreciate it. LT tires will scrub the tread right off in no time and leave nice black streaks everywhere.

crash519

· #10 · Sep 18, 2007

The increased stiffness of trailer tire sidewalls also helps with longevity due to sitting for long periods of time without use.

Go with trailer tires if possible. Is there a farm supply store around you? They may not be able to mount them, but you can probably get them there at a decent price. I by tires for my po-up trailer and boat trailer at Tractor Supply.

TitanLou

· #11 · Sep 18, 2007

mneal said:
ST (trailer tires have stiffer sidewalls and typically higher load ratings. I have had very good luck with Goodyear Marathon trailer tires.

I have the GY Marathons on my 99 bass boat. They probably have about 30K on them and they still look good.

wiskers

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 19, 2007 (Edited)

Learjet said:
stay away from the Made in China tires...I found some tow-masters made in Canada at a goodyear plant. The Chinese tires are junk.

Lots of people use Maxxis also.

Good luck

Interesting, so how do you actually know if your tires are made in China? Infact, I had no idea China even made tires. And you guys are completely right about the abuse trailer tires go through on sharp turns and when a trailer sits for months at a time.

So this guy at my local trailer shop totally missinformed me. I had a feeling light truck tires weren't a good idea for trailer use.

Here's a link to the tires I saw on Ebay for a good deal. Would anybody know if these are China produced? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...STRK:MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=150154422781&rd=1

red_rider_elsinore

· #13 · Sep 19, 2007

LT tires in 16" are good choices for trailers. Many people that tow use them. LT tires seem to have more technology built into them than trailer tires, and more choices.

Back to your question. Here's the link to their web-site. I looks like they're from Canada, but I can't see where the tires are made. This is the only ST tires I found in the web-site. Doesn't mean anything. There web-site is probably not updated. Check to see if your rims can take the 80psi. The tires look like a good deal. Have you gotten quotes around your area?

wiskers

Discussion Starter · #14 · Sep 19, 2007

red_rider_elsinore said:
LT tires in 16" are good choices for trailers. Many people that tow use them. LT tires seem to have more technology built into them than trailer tires, and more choices.

Back to your question. Here's the link to their web-site. I looks like they're from Canada, but I can't see where the tires are made. This is the only ST tires I found in the web-site. Doesn't mean anything. There web-site is probably not updated. Check to see if your rims can take the 80psi. The tires look like a good deal. Have you gotten quotes around your area?

Naw, I haven't checked around localy yet. Yeah, I'm pretty sure my wheels can withstand 80psi (they're chrome and rivited) but I actualy have the pressure set at 60 right now.

Learjet

· #15 · Sep 19, 2007

they are stamped "made in China" How old are they, if you buy them off e-bay?

Trailer tires over 5-7 years old should be replaced, regardless of tread left.

This is one area not to go cheap!

wiskers

Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 19, 2007

Learjet said:
they are stamped "made in China" How old are they, if you buy them off e-bay?

Trailer tires over 5-7 years old should be replaced, regardless of tread left.

This is one area not to go cheap!

Makes sense!

These tires I'm lookin' at on eBay are brand new cuz they're being sold from an actual tire company.

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