Ok, from digging through archives I know not to buy carlisle tires.  I can't afford G range tires & rims.  The current tires I have on my trailer are 9.50 16.5 LT. No name brand, old junk.  Firestone makes some replacements in that size, but from what I gather they are truck tires.  I want trailer tires ( I think) and a tire place nearby is trying to sell me some Mastercraft super road service tires http://www.mastercrafttires.com/html/products/tires_lighttruck.aspx?page=mastercraft_tires_light_truck_super_road_service.  He states that they are "trailer" tires.  I've heard so many stories I don't know what to believe anymore.  Is there really a difference between "truck tires" and "trailer tires"?  I don't want to be a cheapskate, but these tires will likely decompose before I ever wear them out.  If my GVWR of the trailer is 11000lbs, are load range E tires enough?  How do I figure that out?  Sorry to bring up this old subject again.

We had a tread separation situation this past weekend and it scared the snot out of me.  I don't want problems again.  Every tire place has an opinion, but most sell tires for cars/trucks, not for heavy old horse trailers.  I don't want to rely on the opinion of a salesman, I want to have a good working knowledge of what I'm buying before I shell out the big bucks.

Amanda

On my lighter BP trailer, I ran trailer grade biased ply tires that were original equipment. They were very good and long lasting, one flat in 12 yrs with no sidewall rot.

On my goose neck trailers, one which has a weight similar to yours, I run E range truck tires. There are a wide selection of brands available, that are reliable and do a good job at decent prices. Last year I was able to get a new set of Bridgestone "takeoffs" at a nominal price. They are performing perfectly.

I have only suffered one blowout and that was a Firestone tire installed on my truck. That brand, Carlisle or any Chinese derivatives are the ones I avoid.

Gard

You are limited to only a small selection of tires with that 16.5 rim. That Mastercraft bias ply tire is built by Cooper Tire. The 9.50x16.5 is a low profile, what we used to call "camper truck tires". Ford motor company ran those size tires back in the 60's and 70's on their 3/4 and one ton pickup and vans. Be sure to keep them aired up properly, the 16.5 tires are easy to pop off the bead at low pressures. I would be sure to go with the Load Range "E", 10 ply rating.

  Remember, tires are only good for about 5-6 years. After that you can expect them to start failing.... Unless they are some Chinese junk, they may blow while airing them up the first time!!

Sorry, I missed the point about the wheel size

Gard

Well, I'm back to looking, it turns out that the mastercraft super road service tires are no longer being made.  So....they're trying to sell me a firestone tire instead.  I know people call them "tombstones"  are they really that junky?  I thought they were name brand enough, and bought 7 new ones for my truck (215 85 r16 transforce I believe) So far so good with them. 

    Is it worth it to get new rims and tires?  Like a set?  How big should I go, downsize to a 16, or move up?

Another dumb question (forgive me, I'm both female and blonde) the sticker on the inside of my truck door says that my front tires should be inflated to 70psi.  The back duals to 65psi.  These are E range tires, just the same size as the stock sticker says to put on it. This sticker seems to defy everything I've been hearing about keeping tires completely inflated to prevent wear & tear (and blowouts!) Do I go by the sticker?  

What about these? Karrier Loadstars? They are the E rating and have nice rims which would solve my funky tire size problem.  If I was a wealthy woman I'd by 5 of the G rated ones on rims that they have in the store.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/16-Trailer-Tire-Rim-Wheel-Assembly-KARRIER-H-D-E_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ50073QQihZ005QQitemZ150233591744

The most recent problematic Firestone tires are the "Steelex" series.

By switching your rims to a 16" diameter, you will have a larger selection of tires from which to choose. A larger rim and tire may cause interference problems with your fenders, depending on your suspension. The larger tires usually have a lower sidewall profile, that will result in a more firm ride. The larger diameter tires often times are more expensive than the smaller.

When it comes to the appropriate tire pressures, there are two factions within this forum. One uses the maximum tire pressures that are recommended by the tire manufacturers. These are indicated on the tire's side wall and the associated websites.

The second faction uses the pressures recommended by the truck's manufacturer; IE, the door sticker. Tires used in a dually configuration, generally recommend a lower pressure, than the same tire used in a single rear wheel application.

Most gas engined trucks have a lighter front axle weight than a comparable diesel truck. The front tire pressures would be higher for the diesel equipped trucks.

I use the maximum tire pressures as recommended by the tire manufacturers. I am concerned about the maximum weight carrying capabilities, the coolest running temperatures and the safest trip I can manage. Ride quality isn't my priority.

Gard

I run what the tire has stamped on the side. Last time I checked, Chevrolet did not build tires, so I don't really trust that door sticker.

Karrier Loadstar = Chinese maypops.

Good God.  I think I'll just stay home.  I can't find any tires that don't have a 50/50 crowd saying "buy em' they're great or don't buy 'em they'll kill your family"  It's just not worth it!!  Goodyear marathons....they're's a whole page of people saying they should be banned,  finding a US made tire is impossible.  Firestone is in cohoots with carlisle?  So what do I do there?!?  They aren't upfront about where the tire is made, even if it's an american brand, it may be made overseas, how about that?!.  I think the problem is that nobody takes pride in what they make anymore.    I pull my stinkin' trailer maybe twice a month to local places. But at this point I don't feel safe rolling down the road on any tire.   I think I had better luck before I gained all this "tire knowledge".  Sometimes ignorance IS bliss.

Amanda

I can understand your frustrations. There are three things to consider when you buy tires of the same size that were on the trailer. 1 is price...is it reasonably priced for what I am getting. 2 is availability...if I have a blow out on the road can I find a replacement? 3 is overall reputation. For every person you find that will confess that they like a product, you will find two that openly state how bad they dislike it. If you are finding 50/50, in my mind, you are doing pretty good. My recommendation is this...find a name brand tire that you can afford. That way IF you do have a problem, you can get it taken care of. I know people that have run Carlisle, Firestone, and Goodyear till they are worn smooth out. But I also know a slew of people that have had problems with each one. Some of it is maintenance and pressures and others are bad luck or a bad tire. All you can do is arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible and do what is best for you. Remember that all fo the recommendations here are people that are NOT pulling your trailer for you.

Everone here is giving you recommendations based on their experience and knowledge of the products. This isn't taking anything away from anyone that has given you advice, I am just saying take everything into consideration and make the best decision for you.

Anglemay84, You buy whatever tire you're comfortable with. Just remember you came here asking. We have all told you what we think, now it's up to you to make your own mind up..... Don't let anyone steer you the wrong way. Just because I don't like the Chinese tires, don't mean I don't like the tires the "French" brought over.... Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin, Michelin!

 Good luck with your Michelin!!   Oh dang, I meant mission!!

Just for sake of curiosity how much cooler are your tires running?  My tires are set to 60 psi (80 psi max) per the load/inflation tables.  They run about 30 degrees above ambient temp (in 90+ amb at 65 mph),  used to be the acceptable operating range was up to 60 degrees above ambient temp.  Ride quality is not the only benefit of load/inflation table psi,  proper tire footprint for max braking traction should also taken into consideration.

That pretty much sums it up.  Im not really scared of any brand of tire, just have to see what theyve got when I need some.  Ive had my share of blowouts over the years, nothing to be scared about, just stay on the fuel and ease out of traffic.  Blowing a steer tire can be a little un-nerving, but any of the others.....lets just say with a little experience and training you can get used to it.

 " Ive had my share of blowouts over the years, nothing to be scared about, just stay on the fuel and ease out of traffic.  Blowing a steer tire can be a little un-nerving, but any of the others.....lets just say with a little experience and training you can get used to it."

Chadsalt, you're very stoic about an event that could kill you. I prefer not to have any more "experiences that train me to get used to it". It's definately an unerving and life threatening event, something of which to be very frightened. I'm sure that the drivers who have wrecked as a result of a blow out, will not find the event, "un-nerving".

Gard

Amanda,

I think you also asked if there is a difference between truck tires and trailer tires. I didn't see that question addressed in any of the responses so far so I'll throw something out there. My understanding is that there is a difference between the two and it has to do with the sidewall construction.  Truck tires have a different sidewall due to the fact that they turn and the camber (not sure if that is spelled correctly or being used in the correct context) is different.  Trailer tires have a stiffer sidewall because there is no camber and they often pivot as the trailer turns. Does this make any sense?  As a side note, I also stayed away from the Goodyear Marathons due to the poor publicity surrounding them.  Good luck and as someone else pointed out, we are not hauling your trailer, you are and you need to be comfortable with your decision.

Possibly I am somewhat stoic.  Or possibly I am more comfortable with the risks and responsibilities that come with hurtling down the road in a steel box at 100 feet per second.  Either way climbing onto my horse is equally life threatening .....the whole 1000# animal with the brain the size of a baseball thing, you know?  Ive been thrown off (wrecked) a few times over the years.  Every time I climbed back up. Risk goes with the territory, be it the drive to, or the actual trail ride.  I guess the choice has to be made as for what we "worry" about.   Blowouts just dont happen to be very high on my list, my crazy old horse on the other hand...........

I've also run E range truck tires exclusively on my GN trailers with no problems.

Gard

Youll be fine.

If you run your tires at the maximum posted pressure that the manufacturer recommends, you will generate the smallest contact patch with the ground. The smallest contact patch will generate the least amount of friction. The least amount of friction will generate the least amount of heat. The lower the temperatures your tires experience, the longer their life span will be.

Unless you are driving at consistently high speeds in one hundred degree days, fully loaded, you should not have an issue that would result in you having to know your exact tire temperatures. Other than tire pressures, you can't do much about the heat factor, except to lighten your loads or reduce your speed.

Gard

Chadsalt, you're very stoic about an event that could kill you. I prefer not to have any more "experiences that train me to get used to it". It's definately an unerving and life threatening event, something of which to be very frightened. I'm sure that the drivers who have wrecked as a result of a blow out, will not find the event, "un-nerving".

Gard

It happened to us this weekend,and to say the least,it was pretty nerve wracking,and could have been life threatening too.I don't WANT to get trained to get used to having a blowout at about 9PM going around an interstate and having to pull on the shoulder,no room whatsoever to change it (on the outside,of course) and cars going by like Jeff Gordon is driving.

Thanks to officer Hicks of the Springfield PD,and Mr."Cowboy" from the Parakeet Apartments (yes,that is what they are called ) in Republic.Oh,sorry,#1 thanks goes to :YOU,LORD for bringing everything to play to help us out!

Refer to Gard's thread about tire age to avoid above senario.

CRG

Just out of curiosity, did you check on the age of the tire that blew out? Glad you and yours are OK.

Gard

CRG

Just out of curiosity, did you check on the age of the tire that blew out? Glad you and yours are OK.

Gard

Well,no we didn't.I couldn't crawl under the trailer to begin with,the underframe was too low,and I would not have been able to have found it,we had to have the tire place show the code to us on the backside of the tire.And,guess what: Trailer made in 95,tires made in 95.

If I ever buy another used trailer,and can't find the tire code or the person hasn't put new tires on the trailer fairly recently,I'll be replacing the tires.

CRG...!! As much as we have talked about old, dry rotten, out of date tires on here and you are pulling a trailer with 13 year old tires on it..... I would be ashamed to admit it!! They should have blown out 8 years ago!! What were you thinking?!!! LOL1 just messin with ya! Glad ya'll are OK.

Ya going to run the other three til they BUST?

H*** NO,we're not! we had to find a tire place open on Sat.AM and get a new set,which we did.We got a set of Titan trailer tires,10 ply,and are good to go.The trip home was sure a LOT less nervy.I had a sense of doom regarding those tires and we almost took our Delta stock trailer that has new tires on it.But the Sooner has a small dressing room and a rear tack,and our saddles are protected more in that rear tack,so,that's what we took.I felt like we should get new tires before we left.Results were what I described.Fortunately we were almost to the end of the James River Expressway where 60 goes east/west and the officer escorted us safely off of it and into a parking lot where this guy came out to help change it.A good ole boy from MO,you know.

Here's another thing: I think for us gals,intuition is a lot stronger and there for a reason.Follow your instincts and good judgement.If you don't know the age of the tires on a trailer,and even tho they LOOK good,get new tires!

Just a thought for ya, I have 16ply steer axle tires on my trailer.  They are 17.5's but I have found with the steer tires the sidewalls are extremely tuff with steel sidewalls.  They are H rated with 125psi.  I have run them out west in late summer fully loaded with one heck of heavy trailer at 75-80 on interstate with no problems.  May want to look into some commerical grade tires is what I am saying if you want some that will last.  They are not much more expensive than any others.

Forgot to add that the tires are rated at 6000lbs each.