I need to replace 8 year old tires due to weather checking and age. Would anyone like to comment on trailer tires that they have been satisfied with the past couple of years? I have been running loadstar bias tires and I am considering going to radials to hopefully make some long trips during my retirement which starts this June.
New trailer tires
- Thread starter mccml
- Start date
I have used Goodyear Marathon and currently have Carlisle radials on our trailer. If you have the factory trailer the tires are probably D rated. I suggest going up to at least an E rated tire.
We make it a point to change out trailer tires every 4 years or so... just did that today on our cargo trailer, which had plenty of tread left.
We make it a point to change out trailer tires every 4 years or so... just did that today on our cargo trailer, which had plenty of tread left.
JamesTXSD":34g8ksua said:
Ha, I never want to hear that phrase again, after vehicle shopping and having it repeated by practically every seller (often on 10-year-old tires, mind you!) :cry
I know you totally "get it" about tires, but I had a gut reaction to reading that phrase
potter water
New member
I've made a lot of observations about trailer tires after 50 years of towing things.
My observations are:
A. Get the heaviest load rating tire you can that will fit the wheels.
B. All trailer tire manufacturers making the same load rating are going to be similarly reliable. (Yes, there is such a thing as bad lots of tires that come from manufacturers, but all manufacturers can have bad lots).
C. All trailer tires have a manufacture date stamped on the sidewall. Make sure the ones you buy are not older than a year, or two at the most when you buy them. Be careful if the dealer is giving you "a real deal" on a set of tires. Their shelf life may be pretty old.
D. You will pretty much get what you pay for. Stick with major tire specialist companies, Les Schwab, Big O are two of my favorites.
E. My experience directly with my own trailers and with those of my circle of trailering friends who've had tire failures on the road have been a result of towing too fast exacerbated by improperly sized tires for the load and or tires that have been in service longer than 5 years without regard to the miles and tread on the tires. (And without regard to manufacturer or country of origin).
F. Did I mention towing too fast? 65 MPH absolute max, 60 is better.
Just my two cents. Others will have their stories about trailer tires. If you do a search you will see that some will never buy Carlyls, and others will only buy carlyls' and so on with Michelin etc. etc.
My observations are:
A. Get the heaviest load rating tire you can that will fit the wheels.
B. All trailer tire manufacturers making the same load rating are going to be similarly reliable. (Yes, there is such a thing as bad lots of tires that come from manufacturers, but all manufacturers can have bad lots).
C. All trailer tires have a manufacture date stamped on the sidewall. Make sure the ones you buy are not older than a year, or two at the most when you buy them. Be careful if the dealer is giving you "a real deal" on a set of tires. Their shelf life may be pretty old.
D. You will pretty much get what you pay for. Stick with major tire specialist companies, Les Schwab, Big O are two of my favorites.
E. My experience directly with my own trailers and with those of my circle of trailering friends who've had tire failures on the road have been a result of towing too fast exacerbated by improperly sized tires for the load and or tires that have been in service longer than 5 years without regard to the miles and tread on the tires. (And without regard to manufacturer or country of origin).
F. Did I mention towing too fast? 65 MPH absolute max, 60 is better.
Just my two cents. Others will have their stories about trailer tires. If you do a search you will see that some will never buy Carlyls, and others will only buy carlyls' and so on with Michelin etc. etc.
I too use Carlisle radials. I think they may be made in the states now. We have about 4 years and twenty thousand miles of trailering the boat on them. They ride nice and we have had them in 90+ heat and in the teens in snow. We normally cruise at about 72mph when pulling on divided highways weather permitting. Have not had any issues. Would have sprung for Michelin's but they do not offer trailer tires at least in the 14" variety. We always get the trailer tires balanced. I think it makes a difference. To each their own.
D.D.
D.D.
journey on
New member
A topic near and dear to my heart.
First let me point out that hauling a C-Dory 25 isn't a trivial matter. Actually, it makes a C-dory 22 look good. We've had several episodes with blown tyres on the interstates and none of them have been pleasant. So, it's a good topic.
First, I believe that there are no trailer tyres made in the USA. If you know different, please correct me. Carlisles (or at least the ones I saw) have "Made in China" molded on them. If they've brought them back to the USA, good for them. And Goodyear Marathons are now made in China.
I've ended up buying outlet branded tyres from China. One set from a local dealer with whom I've been doing business for years. And they've been decent tyres. Unfortunately, we've had several failures on the road with 6 year old Goodyear Marathons (made in Canada.) Yes, my fault for not replacing them soon enough, but they had a lot of tread left.
So we got tyres from Big O tires, the nearest one within reach in Redding, Ca. The tread was identical to the ones I bought in LA as was the molding on the sidewalls. And, even more important they had 2.25-15 E in stock. And they came with a construction warranty. We've bought those tyres for our travel trailer, again because they were open on Sunday, the Sabbath. The recurring theme is, if you didn't notice, is that I don't pay attention to trailer tyres until they blow and then I'm stuck. However, all the tyres have been good.
So my advice is that those Chinese radial trailer tyres are all you're gonna get and they're all made in the same factory. And you'd best get them from a chain store with outlets around the area in which you travel. Big O has done well by me, but you may prefer another chain. Just made sure they're E rating though I don't think the Chinese factory makes anything else.
And my Ford F-250 now has Kuhmo tires, since they were $100/wheel less than the original Continentals. And they've been good, no failures and decent traction and wear.
I try to espouse and buy USA, so I guess the above epistle is contradictory, but there it is.
Boris
First let me point out that hauling a C-Dory 25 isn't a trivial matter. Actually, it makes a C-dory 22 look good. We've had several episodes with blown tyres on the interstates and none of them have been pleasant. So, it's a good topic.
First, I believe that there are no trailer tyres made in the USA. If you know different, please correct me. Carlisles (or at least the ones I saw) have "Made in China" molded on them. If they've brought them back to the USA, good for them. And Goodyear Marathons are now made in China.
I've ended up buying outlet branded tyres from China. One set from a local dealer with whom I've been doing business for years. And they've been decent tyres. Unfortunately, we've had several failures on the road with 6 year old Goodyear Marathons (made in Canada.) Yes, my fault for not replacing them soon enough, but they had a lot of tread left.
So we got tyres from Big O tires, the nearest one within reach in Redding, Ca. The tread was identical to the ones I bought in LA as was the molding on the sidewalls. And, even more important they had 2.25-15 E in stock. And they came with a construction warranty. We've bought those tyres for our travel trailer, again because they were open on Sunday, the Sabbath. The recurring theme is, if you didn't notice, is that I don't pay attention to trailer tyres until they blow and then I'm stuck. However, all the tyres have been good.
So my advice is that those Chinese radial trailer tyres are all you're gonna get and they're all made in the same factory. And you'd best get them from a chain store with outlets around the area in which you travel. Big O has done well by me, but you may prefer another chain. Just made sure they're E rating though I don't think the Chinese factory makes anything else.
And my Ford F-250 now has Kuhmo tires, since they were $100/wheel less than the original Continentals. And they've been good, no failures and decent traction and wear.
I try to espouse and buy USA, so I guess the above epistle is contradictory, but there it is.
Boris
journey on
New member
Will-C,
I'm thrilled you brought me up to date. Nice to know that things are swinging back. Glad you found them, and you get an atta-boy.
They also make a 225-15, but it's a D load range. The Goodyear "D" load range is the original tyre that came with the trailer and they failed due to tread separation, after 5 years. the chinese are "E" rating. Still the Carlisle looks like a good tyre and my next ones will be Carlisle.
Boris
I'm thrilled you brought me up to date. Nice to know that things are swinging back. Glad you found them, and you get an atta-boy.
They also make a 225-15, but it's a D load range. The Goodyear "D" load range is the original tyre that came with the trailer and they failed due to tread separation, after 5 years. the chinese are "E" rating. Still the Carlisle looks like a good tyre and my next ones will be Carlisle.
Boris
I have had bias-ply and radial tires on my trailer and found that the radial tires were more stable at my typical towing speed of 60 mph. Less sway in response to road irregularities. Slightly more expensive. I cannot say whether tire or truck mileage will be better, I have only had the radials for several thousand miles. My original tires were not balanced when they came on the new trailer, and after 12,000 miles several had noticeable flat spots. I replaced after six years, including the spare which had not been on the ground. I always inflate to the maximum pressure on the sidewall(50psi).
mccml":v3x40iy0 said:
ST 225/R75/15 Load Rating E, radials
With the different trailers we haul, I am a regular at Discount Tire. They must do a good job of training their people, because everyone I have dealt with at different DT shops has been helpful and enthusiastic.
The trailer is a King Salt Water Series.
This is Wild Blue's third set of tires. Over 40,000 miles, we had one blow-out; on a Goodyear Marathon. I'll put in a plug for BoatUS trailer service here, too... for $14 more to your on-the-water towing coverage. The tire that blew had... "plenty of tread left." It was 4 years old. The guy from the road service said that he has had a marked increase in trailer tires blowing out in the past 5 years; never from being worn out. Always from tread separation. The steel belt separated on the one that blew out on us.
Trailer tires lead a tough life: sit for months at a time, usually out in the elements. Often overloaded - have you run your boat through a scale to know what the real weight is? Ours is 8700 pounds on the trailer. I have been told by several tire service people that trailers should NOT be towed more than 60 mph. That is generally what we run when towing.
I cringe when I see someone blow by us, doing well over 75 mph while towing.
Probably more than you wanted to know; hope it helps.
Best wishes,
Jim
Dave, (Wil-C)--great find on the Carlisle tire made in the USA!! Although the 15" tires on my C Dory single axle are supposed to be only 3 years old, there is a split in the side wall--and I want to replace both of them. Walmart lists these also in the 15" Load Range D (which I currently have). There is a Carlislie Radial Trail RH in load range E but they are made in China! The question boils down to what you can get locally, and how new are they.
I have heard both sides of the Carlslie argument--and have used many different brands--no way to tell if you are going to have problems or not!
We have taken the position that heavy vehicle (RV and boat trailer tires should be not more than 5 years old--so you want as new a tire as you can get! I agree about the speed--we try and keep below 60, check air every AM, (we carry a 6 gallon Porter Cable 150 PSI compressed), and check tire temperature as well as bearing temperature every two hours when we do our change driver, and "walk around" checks.
I have heard both sides of the Carlslie argument--and have used many different brands--no way to tell if you are going to have problems or not!
We have taken the position that heavy vehicle (RV and boat trailer tires should be not more than 5 years old--so you want as new a tire as you can get! I agree about the speed--we try and keep below 60, check air every AM, (we carry a 6 gallon Porter Cable 150 PSI compressed), and check tire temperature as well as bearing temperature every two hours when we do our change driver, and "walk around" checks.
Well here goes, no one has mentioned Nitrogen in the tires, My class A Motorhome as well as my now 5th wheel and previous boat trailer and my newer EZ load trailer has Nitrogen in them. I find air pressure remains much more constant and truly believe because of consistant air pressure I have some advantage over straight air.?
Don
Don
journey on
New member
Well, N has an atomic mass of 14 and O has an atomic weight of 16. together they make up 98% of air. so the coefficient of expansion can't change much between air and nitrogen.
However, air does contain water and dry nitrogen avoids that contaminant.
I've always run air and assume the tyres are designed for an increase in pressure commensurate with the expansion of air. Though racers run dry nitrogen. And they're looking for every edge.
Boris
However, air does contain water and dry nitrogen avoids that contaminant.
I've always run air and assume the tyres are designed for an increase in pressure commensurate with the expansion of air. Though racers run dry nitrogen. And they're looking for every edge.
Boris
Wrinkles":130pdyzl said:
The only downside of nitrogen is the fact that it isn't available everywhere. If you are at a boat in the boonies, ready to pull your boat out, and discover you have a low tire... pull out the 12v compressor and fill 'er up.
We make it a point to check air pressure very regularly when towing. Add when needed.
Captains Cat
New member
Bought a car for one of the kids a few months ago and one of the extras was nitrogen in the tires, about $100 worth to be exact. When I asked how much it would be with air instead, he offered to replace it for only $50. We went elsewhere!
Tread doesn't mean much as we found out, pulling THATAWAY north from Pensacola to VA a couple of years ago. The 5 year old tires looked great, until we had two sidewall blowouts (at two different times) at 65mph. Pictures in my album. Dr. Bob had offered to replace them but I declined. He did graciously pay later for two replacements. Should have listened to him!
Charlie
Tread doesn't mean much as we found out, pulling THATAWAY north from Pensacola to VA a couple of years ago. The 5 year old tires looked great, until we had two sidewall blowouts (at two different times) at 65mph. Pictures in my album. Dr. Bob had offered to replace them but I declined. He did graciously pay later for two replacements. Should have listened to him!
Charlie