Anyone know much about trailer tires?

I need to replace the tires on my 20', 10,000 lb enclosed trailer and I'd like some advice.

First, is there any real world difference between ST and LT tires that would prevent a guy from using LT tires? On other forums they say the LTs are better and that the only difference is that the STs have a stiffer sidewall. All other things being equal, they say to use an LT. What are your thoughts?

Second, has anyone used a lower profile tire to lower their trailer? Mine sits quite high so I figured that if I could get a tire of the same load rating but a shorter side wall that I could lower my trailer a bit and make loading easier and save some gas too. I figure that since I'm getting new tires...why not. Or is that just wishfull thinking?

 

Always go with ply ratings. Especially in that range of weight.

 

Also be aware of load range ratings. I would use a Load Range "E" for that weight. I don't think you can find a ST tire that isn't made in China.

 

When I think LT tire I think of ford rangers and S-10's.....Have any of you actually seen a dual axle trailer turning? Buy the ST tires or something with lots of ply's . The stronger side wall is there for a reason....

 

i would go with load range E for shure.

 

There has been endless discussion on this topic on an Airstream trailer site I frequent. The weight of your trailer is similar to a 32 foot or 34 foot Airstream travel trailer.

Short answer a lot of guys with very heavy trailers are using light truck tires. They stand up better than trailer tires especially at high speeds.

10 ply trailer tires are great if you are a landscaper hauling a tractor around on sub 30 MPH streets. They are too heavy to allow heat to disperse at high speeds meaning 50 or more. So in fast travel they tend to blow out.

If you buy trailer tires buy American made like Goodyear Marathon. But even they are not what they used to be and some of them blow out.

Imported tires from Asia are junk and an accident waiting to happen.

Tires lose their strength and resiliency with age. 5 year old tires have half the strength of new tires. Owners of heavy trailers who wish to avoid blowouts are advised to replace their tires when they are 4 years old or older, no matter how good they look.

Another good tip is to repack wheel bearings, replace grease seals, and inspect brakes once a year if you do a lot of towing.

This is all information gleaned from the above web site. It reflects the experiences of hundreds of Airstream trailer owners. Other than that I cannot vouch for its accuracy or relevance.

 

This has been covered many times and everyone has different experiences as well as different needs. Personally, I hate using the chinese crap that automatically comes on a trailer. They just don't have a long life span.

I have BFG A/T's on one of my smaller enclosed units and they work fine...actually, they are stickier than the chinese crap I took off so slow sharp turns (as in backing into a tight spot) are more work because they don't slide around.
I will be installing something like 235-85-16 load range E tires on my 10k flatbed as soon as the new wheels arrive. I prefer to use 16 inch simply due to a larger selection of tires.

Just make sure that the tire has a decent margin above the max load number. For 10k, and depending on your tounge load, each tire should be in the 2800-3200 lb max load range.

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you can do a lower profile tire , Like others have stated keep the load range to E or higher , A guy on know just bought 16 ply rated tires for his bar-b-que trailer due to 10 ply tires blowing out . I had never even seen them in 16 inch. also avoid bearing buddies they do not pack wheel bearings and give false comfort you will burn a bearing at some point .

 

Guys, I have run 8-ply 7.50-15 ST bias-ply trailer tires for over 12 years and have NEVER had a blowout or other tire failure, with over 100K miles on my 19' car hauler. They are load rated "E". Have run two sets of Chinese-made trailer tires over that time with ZERO problems. I've towed this trailer (7K# GVW) at speeds up to 85 mph with no issues at all.

Maintain the tires! Keep the proper pressure in them. Use the correct load rating. Keep them properly balanced!

I sold trailers for several years. LT-rated tires are OK, but not the optimum for best towing. Radials or bias are simply a personal preference, but I prefer bias-plies on my hauler. I've run radial ST tires before, but I prefer the stiffness of the bias tires for better load handling and better turning.

 

The Airstream guys swear by Centramatic automatic balancing rings.

http://centramatic.com/page.aspx?page=tech facts

 

A lot of my trailer tire problems went away when I started balancing the wheels and having the axle alignment checked once a year. I also install Bearing Buddy's on all my trailers and have yet to have problems as I inspect thm on a regular basis.

 

I'm surprised that alot of you recommend a E load rating so I'll consider that.

For what it's worth my trailer originaly came with D rated 8 ply tires and even though my trailer is 10k lb rated the most I ever will haul is about 7,500 lbs(including trailer and contents). The trailer is really over kill for what I need but it was a good deal and the bigger brakes are nice so I bought it.

Now, do you all still recommend I get E tires or are D rated still good enough?

It sounds like LT tires will be okay as long as they are rated high enough and yes I'll be getting a domestic brand but not the Goodyear Marathon because I've heard nothing but bad things about them. I have nothing against off shore tires, I just like to support our economy where I can.

So lower profile tires are okay as long as the load rating is adequate?

 

Just went through this with my enclosed 24'. NOTHING but TROUBLE with the current crop of Goodyear Marathon trailer tires........According to the Goodyear distributor I bought from, ALL of them are CHINESE, unless you can find a source for old stock USA produced. Then you have to be concerned with their age. Don't run any of them more than 3 years, no matter how good they look.
The 8 ply rated ones I ran would be inflated to 65# (I too have a heavy trailer/loading) and the first sign of failure would be a lump or knot on the sidewall or tread face. Then comes the shake or wiggle. If I didn't catch it soon enough, the tread would separate from the carcass. Tried Carlisle's....a little cheaper to buy, but little improvement in performance. Short answer, ALL trailer type tires are now imported, 99% of them from China.
I was afraid of LT rated tires, both radials and bias.

After a TON of research on the 'net......horse people, boat people, campers, racers, and the bashing of Goodyear, Carlisle, Hercules, etc, I chose Maxxis brand load range E trailer tires. They are imported, but hands down, the reviews of the other trailer people convinced me to try them. And they were a few dollars cheaper than the last set of 8 ply Goodyears I bought 2 years ago. An advantage I've seen so far is the higher inflation level (80#) allowing for a bit cooler running/heat dissipation.
Guess I'll find out next week when I strike out from St. Louis to Bakersfield.

 

Higher air pressured tires will run cooler radials are best for longer distances use bias only when shorter distances when sits alot going to & from lake or campgrounds will weather before worn out . The heavier ply is always a good idea commercial grade tires if needed 12ply all steel like on equipment trailers. I manage a tire store and have people in the shop off the highway running car tires on trailers carrying the weight of the trailer and a 3/4 ton p/u on it. They are cussing about junk tires then you see its dry rotted and 9 years old .Also get alot of damaged tires from hitting curbs no matter how good you drive there will always be a tight corner you have to take avoid lower shorter tires they will never carry the weight or handle the curbs . I get customers who say that damaged tire never hit curb then they hop the curb going out of our shop & we have wider entrances so semis can come & go on busy street with heavy traffic .

 

what is the "bearing buddy"?

 

The big problem for me is I own many trailers. Being a car guy, I use trailers instead of a pick up to haul stuff.
Have travel trailer, single car trailer, tow dolley, triple axle dragster trailer, triple axle 48' ramp trailer and 2 dual axle boat trailers. Some do not get used each year. Only use a track to haul 48' trailer.
It is nothing short of a b@tch to keep tires on all these! I this year alone have had numerous tires on these trailer just come apart! It is crazy, they just fall apart sitting there.
What to do? I cannot afford to replace all these tires (30 total!) every 4 years.
I have started using sets of tires on more than one trailer to save costs but, it is hard with all the different bolt patterns. Standardization of bolt circles has its advantages where possible.
This has turned out to real an enormous cost for me. Not sure what to do about it.
It is a real shame you cannot buy something and have it last.

 

is the offset similar on all trailer wheels?

 

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[/FONT]

 

I run old bias 6 ply used tires that Ive take from old pickups. Most are rough tread. I have four on my stock trailer . they where old when I put them on 10 years ago. I carry two spares but Ive never needed them. Prior to installing these old relics the trailer had radials and I was constantly having belts break and flats etc. I have better service with using these old bias than new radials. However My trailers sit for ong peroids and I dont do sustained high speed long distance hauling. I rarely get over 60 Mph pulling a trailer. I posted some pictures. OldWolf

 

This is not so.

The "LT" rating stands for "Light Truck".

I run LT's on my diesel Super Duty which is a far cry from a Ranger or S-10.

On the flipside..... At Carlisle this year there were several trailer tire vendors there selling very cheap chinese trailer tires. There were idiots buying 'em up left & right. Appearently guys will hand over a blank check to restore their cars but won't spend good money on a good tire to haul their expensive investment around. Fuckin' assholes!

 

I switched to 10 ply Maxxis tires on a 24' enclosed trailer that hauls a race car, golf cart etc. After having problems with Carlisles I've been pretty happy with them. I am pretty particular about keeping them inflated to spec.

 

Well FWIW we are using an LT tire on our 8500 lb camping trailer. We changed over to them last year and I noticed that the trailer tows much smoother with them on rather than the trailer tires. I have 2 friends using the same brand and type on their heavier 13,000 lb 5th wheel trailers and they say theirs are ridning more smoothly as well.

One of the previous posters mentioned about paying attention to the ply ratings and I couldn't agree more.

The present crop of trailer tires from overseas leaves alot to be desired to say the least. On the RV forums online they're referred to as "China Bombs" based on their tendency to blow out.

Proper inflation is the main thing on ANY tire whether it's on your vehicle or a trailer.

A friend of mine is currrently running Maxxis tires and they look to be wearing and riding well, but I like mine better

 

I've had good luck with Maxxis and Destone.

The only thing that sucks worse than a Carlisle Tire is their customer service. I got zero satisfaction from company or product.

 

Try to contact these guys. They know their stuff.
Trailer tires for a trailer. LT for a light truck.
www.trailer-wheels.com

Good luck with your project.

 

what does the ST stand for?

 

I agree with you Patrick a good trailer tire with the proper load rating and proper care/service will do you good for a long time

 

I run E rated tires on my bigger trailers, usually good used tires from pickups. That's the ones that take 235/85/16. On my trailers that run 15s I use only trailer specified tires, not P or LT motor vehicle tires. Don't be a cheapass with trailer tires, it isn't worth it. Go buy new trailer specific tires.

 

Two more cents.. Another possible option for 15" wheel is the Continental Vanco 2 line or similar. Not made in China. Some of the Airstream guys have resorted to these after too much bad luck with all the other "trailer tires". After hours of research, I think I'm going to try my luck with the Continentals for my tandem open car Featherlite.

 

after the experience i had with continentals on my late model f150,i wont even use one as a spare.

 

Like grandpa used to say just because you have a pocket full of money don't make you smart.