Posted 2006-01-23 8:40 AM (#35855) Subject: Suggestions for new trailer tires?
Veteran
Posts: 198 Location: Iowa
Trailer is a steel 18 foot stock gooseneck with 5200 lb torsion axles...empty weight about 5500 lbs. Usually pull with 2 or 3 horses on board...usual loaded weight is about 8500. Any good brand of tires you recommend? I'm really confused whether to go LT Light truck tires or ST special trailer tires. Any help would be appreciated!!
Posted 2006-01-23 11:07 AM (#35865 - in reply to #35855) Subject: RE: Suggestions for new trailer tires?
Expert
Posts: 2955 Location: North Carolina
If you are going to replace all the tires, I would recommend a radial type tire. The lower rolling resistance will increase your mileage. Don't know if it will pay for you , but the OTR truckers are using radials for that reason on their trailers.
Posted 2006-01-25 12:25 PM (#35967 - in reply to #35855) Subject: RE: Suggestions for new trailer tires?
Veteran
Posts: 198 Location: Iowa
Thanks Hoss. I am pretty sure I will replace all the tires. Will definitely go radial...just not sure if I should go with LTs or STs. Also, the trailer currently has 15" tires and rims, but the axles have a six bolt pattern, so I may/could go up to 16" tires and rims and go with E range...that might even give me a little more clearance between the bed rails and the gooseneck. Ahhh...so much to think about. Thanks for the info!
Posted 2006-01-25 4:53 PM (#35977 - in reply to #35855) Subject: RE: Suggestions for new trailer tires?
Member
Posts: 39 Location: Covington, Louisiana
Your best choice is a set of ST tires for your trailer. They are specifically designed for trailer use and demands which are different from trucks and autos. A good set of balanced ST tires can make a "poor" puller into a much better pulling trailer. Conversely, a set of the wrong type tires can make a good pulling trailer into a dog. The brand considered the best, by a lot of knowlegable people, is the Goodyear Marathon but they are a bit pricey. There are several Oriental brands of trailer tires which may give you good service and they are cheaper than Marathons. I'm running 4 Carlisle Radial ST's on my trailer because they seemed to be the best for what I had to spend. So far they are holding up well. Before I installed them my old 18 ft. Hart tended to wander on the LT tires it wore. With the Carlisles it trails evenly and is a smooth pull. I've included a couple of links to articles that may be of help in making your best choice. Link to Champion trailers and article on tires for trailers. http://www.championtrailers.com/tire_art.html Link to write up on Goodyear Marathon trailer tires. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsptireMake=Goodyear&tireMo...
Posted 2006-01-25 7:23 PM (#35982 - in reply to #35855) Subject: RE: Suggestions for new trailer tires?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 333
I just bought 4 Carlisle radials trailer tires. My trailer didn't haul bad before so I didn't notice a difference there but they were about 325 installed and that was about the lowest price I could get. I don't haul a lot and I pull a BP that weighs about 3200 lbs empty.
Posted 2006-01-25 8:49 PM (#35989 - in reply to #35855) Subject: RE: Suggestions for new trailer tires?
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Both of my Goosenecks came new with 235/85/16 E range tires. They were not ST tires. They were just a highway tread truck tire. The first trailer had Goodyear Wrangler HT which held up for 5 years of heavy use and I replaced them just before I sold the trailer with a set of Cooper Discover H/T. Which again was just a Highway Tread truck tire.
These were mounted on 16" rims with 8 lugs.
The load range E gives you a 10 ply tire that is rated at 80psi, and for the size shown above gives you around 3000lbs per tire load or 12,000 lbs for a set of 4. But I don't think 6 lugs will support that much weight.
My current LQ trailer and my dump trailer both came with a No-Name ( same brand on both trailers, from different mfgs). Same size as the above tires. The LQ doesn't have that many miles on it yet. But my Dump Trailer tires have seen a lot of use & abuse over two years. It's hard to say whether to get a brand name or a No Name when I've had good luck with both.
I guess what I'm saying is that I've had no problems with Truck tires on trailers. I don't think I'd pay a premium for a ST tire over a HT tire. I'd stay away from AT or off road tires. You don't need the agressive tread and it will just wear out faster.
Posted 2006-01-25 10:39 PM (#35994 - in reply to #35855) Subject: RE: Suggestions for new trailer tires?
Regular
Posts: 70 Location: Spanaway,Wa
I replaced the worn out goodyear workhorse tires off my 3hrs weekender GN and installed new 16" wheels and 235/85R16 wild cat radials. The extra height gave me some breathing room under the GN and after towing all summer have no complaints.
Posted 2006-01-26 8:29 AM (#36007 - in reply to #35855) Subject: RE: Suggestions for new trailer tires?
Veteran
Posts: 198 Location: Iowa
Thanks for all the great info, everyone. This has been very helpful, and given me a lot to think about. I think the first thing to do is to make sure I can go with a 16" rim and tire, and then start looking for some good prices on rims and tires. Thanks again...you all have been VERY helpful. Nothing better than advice from people who have been there/done that.
Posted 2006-01-26 7:00 PM (#36037 - in reply to #36007) Subject: RE: Suggestions for new trailer tires?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Columbia, TN
Since we are talking tires what ever brand you use they need to be replaced more than likely before they show a lot of wear. I replace ones on a small bumper trailer every 6 years. Ones on larger trailers with E or G range tires every 5 years. They will not look worn out but they will come apart. When they do they usually take out the fender when you are going about 70 down the Interstate. I have had 2 blowouts in one day on one trip twice got fender both times. Usually happens in summer when it is hot. Keep air pressure up and correct reduces heat. Talked to a guy at Myrtle Beach ride this year that had put the sensors in his trailer tires like they have on Cadilacs that sense heat and flash a warning. Good for a tire or wheel bearing. Said it cast about 400 dollars.57
Posted 2006-01-27 7:15 AM (#36060 - in reply to #35855) Subject: RE: Suggestions for new trailer tires?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 954 Location: Hagerstown, MD
I really like Cooper tires, they are made here in America and I use them on my trucks and my trailers. I have the luxury of local dealer that makes it worth my while to trade with him and I really like the tires as well. I would suggest buying "load range E" tires. Happy trails.
Suggestions for new trailer tires?
