Trailer tires

[AJMBLAZER]

So...I have a small trailer for general hauling purposes. Single axle thing I got from my dad a number of years back. He's had it as long as I can remember really. I want to say he and my uncle rebuilt it back in the mid 80's...or maybe that was when they built it. At any rate it's just a trailer, not a car hauler or anything. "Put-your-crap-in-and-move" or "haul-wood-for-the-furnace" sorta thing.

Has P235/75R15's on it now that are probably old enough to vote. I'll be moving down to Kentucky in the next several months so I'm obviously planning on using it.

I'd like to replace the tires with some good tires. I've heard to use trailer tires only, don't use trailer tires they suck now, use either trailer tires or LT rated truck tires, etc etc etc.

What's the general CK5 trailer tire opinion?

 

[Avery4jc]

I blew a tire and shreaded another on our way to Pismo using someone else's trailer that had regular passenger car tires on it. I limped into Pismo and the next morning bought four trailer specific tires and couldn't have been happier. They towed better and held the weight much better.
Obviously I could be comparing apples to oranges since the tires that were on it were probably not up to the task when they were new but none the less I vote for a trailer specific tire.

 

[sweetk30]

trailer tires . and it will be 225/75/15 size.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Have to see what the local places want for a set.

Any thing different with tire makers? Just stick with the big names or all good?
Random thought but is there such a thing as an "all terrain" tread for trailers? Chances are good down there that it will get used going out to the woods and on my buddy's family farm so I wouldn't mind tires with some traction and stability. I learned a decade or so ago that highway trailer tires suck on wet/nasty terrain.

 

[abig84]

i used regular car tires on my double axle for about 7 years.... the funny thing is one started to rub my fender on the inside due to a stupid ratchet strapping idea so i replaced it with a trailer tire and the thread blew off it the first time out lol... i now have all trailer tires... theres nothing wrong with using car tires if your not over loading the recommended weight for them

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

I like radials better then trailer specific bias ply tires, keeps the heat down

 

[76zimmer]

These 'Special Trailer' (ST) tires have been constructed for better high speed durability and bruise resistance under heavy loads. Trailer tire construction varies substantially from automotive tires, therefore it is essential to choose the correct tire for your towing application. In general, trailer tires have the same load range (or ply) from bead to bead and are bias ply construction. This allows for a stiffer side wall which provides safer towing by helping to reduce trailer sway problems. The use of 'Passenger Car' (P) or 'Light Truck (LT) tires a on a trailer is not recommended because their construction, usually radial or bias belted, allows for more flexible side walls. This could lead to increased trailer sway and loss of control.
Tire 'inflation pressure' is also an important factor in proper handling as well as tire life. Maximum inflation pressure is indicated on the tire side wall and should always be checked when the tire is cold before operation.
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, Verdana]Finally, an important safety procedure is to apply and maintain proper 'lug torque' on trailer rims. Too little torque may cause the wheel to wobble or fall off. Wheel nuts/bolts should be torqued after each wheel removal, retorque after 50 miles and frequently thereafter. Follow the manufacturers recommended torque pattern:[/FONT]

 

[dremu]

Random thought but is there such a thing as an "all terrain" tread for trailers? Chances are good down there that it will get used going out to the woods and on my buddy's family farm so I wouldn't mind tires with some traction and stability. I learned a decade or so ago that highway trailer tires suck on wet/nasty terrain.

Dumb question, but why would tread pattern matter? Since they're not driven, all they have to do is roll ... doesn't really matter if the damn thing gets filled up with mud or whatever.

Or am I missing something? I s'pose you want some tread gap to blow the water off, keep the tire from sliding sideways... but I don't see any value to an aggressive tread, since it's just gonna transmit torque to the wheel bearings =))

-- A

 

[toomany]

Dumb question, but why would tread pattern matter? Since they're not driven, all they have to do is roll ... doesn't really matter if the damn thing gets filled up with mud or whatever.

Or am I missing something? I s'pose you want some tread gap to blow the water off, keep the tire from sliding sideways... but I don't see any value to an aggressive tread, since it's just gonna transmit torque to the wheel bearings =))

-- A

That's the main reason. A slick wouldn't pull to well on gravel or in the rain. Then you add some brakes to it and you need some kind of tread pattern.

Some snowmobile trailers are built with tall/skinnytires (mostly four place trailers) and the other are built with short/wide tires (two and four places, both mine are this way). The tall tires have more tread depth when new. The ones with the tall/skinny tires pull much better in the slush/snow/rain. Mostly because of the narrower profile, but I'd think the tread pattern has something to do with it. The only reason my four place has the short/wide combo is because of the brakes on one of the axles.

 

[boz42]

Dumb question, but why would tread pattern matter? Since they're not driven, all they have to do is roll ... doesn't really matter if the damn thing gets filled up with mud or whatever.

Or am I missing something? I s'pose you want some tread gap to blow the water off, keep the tire from sliding sideways... but I don't see any value to an aggressive tread, since it's just gonna transmit torque to the wheel bearings =))

-- A

That is what I was thinking, I mean they are not powered so your not gonna blip the throttle & clean them out, before you try a nasty low speed hill climb. How nasty of a terrain can you pull a trailor through anyhow? Most have a tread pattern that runs around the tire instead of across it, & that could help on sidehills, but really how far into the nasty stuff are you gonna pull this thing.



On a side note I run Carlisle trailer tires on my car hauler & since I started using them I would not consider anything else.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Try pulling a single axle trailer up an incline or backing it down an incline in the slick stuff in the woods. Tires with a bit more bite track more along the line of where you want to go and won't slide.

Dad used to get wood with this trailer. We'd go into the woods and cut up felled trees on a friend's property. Before these tires there were old knobby snow tires on it. Did great out there. These car tires suck when the going gets tough. Sliding around and backing up with them...gah...

 

[smalltruckbigcid]

An aggresive tread will turn when moved when a smooth treat will not, it'll just slide. Anyone who's run a combine can attest to this in muddy conditions, using an ag type tractor tread style tire will turn easier than a straight ribbed type tire when its used in the rear (mostly non driving positions)

 

[dremu]

Ah yeah, that makes sense ... I was thinking only about straight-line traction, so yeah, you want it to go forward easily ... but sideways, not so much

-- A

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Nothing like having your trailer slide down the hill behind you and hook on a tree forcing you to back down the hill while turning to try and unhook it.

 

[Col_Sanders]

I just bought a tandem axle trailer with 2 good looking Carlisle tires and 2 mixed brands. I want to get at least one new tire and will be replacing the worst looking of the current tires. Are matching treads important? Any brands to stay away from?

 

[rompinstompinmudmonkey]

I don't think there's a perfect trailer tire for all situations. A skinnier tire will work better on muddy side hills, but will sink in deeper mud and sand and the trailer will become an anchor. I myself have a gooseneck with 7000 lb axles. I have run 10 ply ST trailer tires on it and also 10 ply LT truck radials on it. I have had much better luck with the truck radials than the st tires, both in durability and tread life. There are also many more tread options for LT rated tires. I think that no matter what you choose, make sure you don't overload the tires or under inflate them. If it was up to me, I'd choose a good set of used LT rated tires over new ST rated tires.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Got them today. Supermax ST225/75R15 load range D tires. The tread isn't super aggressive but much more so than the HT car tires it had before.

 

[sweetk30]

hope you didnt spend much on those super cheep crap tires. i change a bunch of them out for crappy ride and tire tread life in the toilet.

 

[Col_Sanders]

How are loadstars?

 

[AJMBLAZER]

hope you didnt spend much on those super cheep crap tires. i change a bunch of them out for crappy ride and tire tread life in the toilet.

Eh, not really and basically all they have to do is get me down to Kentucky. I don't use this thing much really. They'll rot off LONG before I wear them out.