Trailer tires

[Dejure]

I've spent the last 13 years running loaded trailer tires down the highway at 75 mph nearly everyday for work. Lots and lots of days of just solid highway driving. I have to replace trailer tires because of wear, not because they failed. Sure, some have failed... but it was due to age and defects. Not from simply using them. Your blanket statement of trailer tires is incorrect.

Again, it's all about the specific tire. Not all tires are equal.

As is your blanket statement.

Do you live where I do?

Do you run a table saw without a push shoe, without a splitter, with your fingers next to a blade, and get away with it, and have for years?

Which trailer tires do you run? The 20 ply, with a suggested low speed limit, the magic ones rated for 80 MPH?

Are you running singles, dually's (single or double)?

Many of us push limits and get away with it, until we don't.

Supposed experts push the concept one MUST run trailer tires merely because it's a trailer. They do not AND CANNOT explain how grain trucks [and so many others I've driven] get away with those silly truck tires hauling 10-30 tons of grain on truck tires, rather than trailer tires.

 

[Ricko1966]

As is your blanket statement.

Do you live where I do?

Do you run a table saw without a push shoe, without a splitter, with your fingers next to a blade, and get away with it, and have for years?

Which trailer tires do you run? The 20 ply, with a suggested low speed limit, the magic ones rated for 80 MPH?

Are you running singles, dually's (single or double)?

Many of us push limits and get away with it, until we don't.

Supposed experts push the concept one MUST run trailer tires merely because it's a trailer. They do not AND CANNOT explain how grain trucks [and so many others I've driven] get away with those silly truck tires hauling 10-30 tons of grain on truck tires, rather than trailer tires.

One reason you wouldn't run trailer tires on a grain truck is traction. Trailer tires were not designed to be a driven tire,they arent designed for the torsional load,or traction, they are designed to support load, their tread is actually different even, because they serve a different purpose. You can say who ever gets away with what ever until they don't. Well the same can be said about running LT tires instead of trailer tires. It's fine until it isn't. Trailer tires are just like 90% of anything out there these days you can buy cheap or you can buy good,but good and cheap don't usually go hand and hand. I'd run a mediocre truck tire before I'd run a mediocre trailer tire for reasons I've already mentioned,but the correct answer is using good trailer tires.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Same thing as above.
Anything less than a 16” wheel and you’re not going to find a heavy rated car/truck tire. (Except those obscure European 225 sumthin or other 15” Commerical tires). 14” nothing exists.

E rated 15 inches truck tires exist

 

[AuroraGirl]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I run name brand "P" tires on my trailer. Here is my 2002 short bed with the 8' bed.

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The '02 had 16" wheels. It got totaled by a guy on his phone running a red light. Replaced it with a 2006 SB. Now 17" wheels.

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All six wheels and tires match. one spare fits all.

How did you run the tail lights? Have a thread of your build?
And I like how slick the matching bed and topper look lol

 

[AuroraGirl]

One reason you wouldn't run trailer tires on a grain truck is traction. Trailer tires were not designed to be a driven tire,they arent designed for the torsional load,or traction, they are designed to support load their tread is actually different even because they serve a different purpose. You can say who ever gets away with what ever until they don't. Well the same can be said about running LT tires instead of trailer tires. It's fine until it isn't. Trailer tires are just like 90% of anything out there these days you can buy cheap or you can buy good,but good and cheap don't usually go hand and hand. I'd run a mediocre truck tire before I'd run a mediocre trailer tire for reasons I've already mentioned,but the correct answer is using good trailer tires.

I’m currently using slightly old HT truck tires on my truck bed trailer. And I think a lot of people don’t take into account making sure bearings and brakes are in good shape (heat if not), tire pressures are right(heat if not) and trailer tires don’t look that low when they could be 1/3 the inflation sometimes.

And trailers for more than one axle the load being properly leveled and the equalizer pivoting to distribute the load on the axles needs to be free and able to do its job. That last part is only if that is how the axles are setup not all will have that

 

[bucket]

As is your blanket statement.

Do you live where I do?

Do you run a table saw without a push shoe, without a splitter, with your fingers next to a blade, and get away with it, and have for years?

Which trailer tires do you run? The 20 ply, with a suggested low speed limit, the magic ones rated for 80 MPH?

Are you running singles, dually's (single or double)?

Many of us push limits and get away with it, until we don't.

Supposed experts push the concept one MUST run trailer tires merely because it's a trailer. They do not AND CANNOT explain how grain trucks [and so many others I've driven] get away with those silly truck tires hauling 10-30 tons of grain on truck tires, rather than trailer tires.

Excuse me, what blanket statement did I make?

I'm not going to get in a pissing match with you. I've run enough trailers enough miles to know that you are incorrect.

By the way, most tires that are not rated for highway speeds say so right on them. California laws do not equal official tire ratings.

 

[Grit dog]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I run name brand "P" tires on my trailer. Here is my 2002 short bed with the 8' bed.

You must be registered for see images attach

The '02 had 16" wheels. It got totaled by a guy on his phone running a red light. Replaced it with a 2006 SB. Now 17" wheels.

You must be registered for see images attach

All six wheels and tires match. one spare fits all.

Context is so hard to capture especially when someone just vaguely says “ I do ____.” Or “_____ exists.” without context.
It’s harder to be “wrong” when being vague, intentional or not. But it does make for a good debate or argument until the party who is knowledgeable and arguing within context just gives up.
Thats where this trailer tire discussion is headed.
One person finds an obscure, not fit for the application, product. Then another finds an even more obscure product to refute someone else or again lose the context.
It’s more like FB and less like knowledge and common sense.

Based on some of the responses thus far, the OP has been basically recommended 12-14pr Commerical ribbed trailer tires AND P rated tires, not to mention some obscure E load 15” tire and something about grain trucks and Astro vans….when A. He don’t even know what he has on the trailer and may not understand the importance of tie pressure. And B, the logical answer is get a set of appropriate trailer tires for his application and be done with it.
Hopefully he skips the 3 pages and learns what the best trailer tire and pressure is for his application. But he ain’t learning it here so far….

 

[Grit dog]

I switched my Astro cargo van to 6 ply via Les. They were 15".

And I had a banana and yogurt for breakfast. Just about as applicable.

 

[Grit dog]

Edit

 

[Turbo4whl]

Hopefully he skips the 3 pages and learns what the best trailer tire and pressure is for his application. But he ain’t learning it here so far….

And your post has helped him with this how?

 

[waterpirate]

I would add that the confusion maybe surrounding the existence of radial trailer tires vs. the crap they use to haul mobile homes up and down the roads. The last set of 4 I bought were called " highway haulers". Radials. I am with Bucket on this one. If on the interstate I am passing everything but Bucce's.
Eric

 

[Dejure]

One reason you wouldn't run trailer tires on a grain truck is traction. Trailer tires were not designed to be a driven tire,they arent designed for the torsional load,or traction, they are designed to support load, their tread is actually different even, because they serve a different purpose. You can say who ever gets away with what ever until they don't. Well the same can be said about running LT tires instead of trailer tires. It's fine until it isn't. Trailer tires are just like 90% of anything out there these days you can buy cheap or you can buy good,but good and cheap don't usually go hand and hand. I'd run a mediocre truck tire before I'd run a mediocre trailer tire for reasons I've already mentioned,but the correct answer is using good trailer tires.

All I can go by is, what I know. I started on a truck stop around 1965. Saying I changed a few thousand tires on trucks and passenger tires would be an understatement.

As ALL of you pointed out, there are limitations on EVERY type (e.g., trailer, truck, passenger car) of tire.

Based on my first hand experience, from the point of someone who dealt with other people's issues (a tire shop, which dealt with truck and passenger car tires [BUT BACK IN THE SIXTIES]) and from hauling 40,000 pounds of grain [BUT AT LOW SPEEDS AND, USUALLY, NO MORE THAN 20 MILES (farm stuff)], I'll stay with LT tires rated for the loads and that allow me to move at freeway speeds in the 115 degree weather of summer.

Oh, and price a trailer tire rated for a given load and the comparable LT tire. Lot of savings, moving a mobile home down the road on ST's rather than on LT's.

The debate continues (but, really, look up what most snowbirds, eventually, go with).

In the end, the aforementioned experiences exceed those of 99% here.

 

[Rumbledawg]

Well, my 6x12 utility trailer will finally need tires this spring. I guess 12 years on a set of tires is long enough. Right now it has ST215/75r15’s, which are the original tires. I’ve noticed that when the trailer has a decent load such as 2 atv’s or a heavier lawn mower, the tires seem to sway a bit. Would stepping up to a 225/75r15 help with that? From what I see, the 225 is maybe a half inch taller, and half inch wider? I’m wondering if the slightly wider tire would provide more stability? Pretty sure I have the clearance to step to a wider size.

my flat deck quad trailer is almost the same size as your trailer (6x13) that came with crappy little 205's. they did alright for a few yrs, but with 3 quads and all our gear on it (approx 3800 lbs including trailer weight) they would sway or not track the best. i upgraded them to st225/75R15 tires. i went with Carlisle Radial Trail HD's and i prob won't buy any other kind after running the Carlisle's for the last 6 or 7 yrs.
i picked up over a 1000lbs more load capacity than the stock ST's, as well i gained about 2" height as well which comes in real handy when your tow pig has an 8" lift with 38's.
i find them well built, extremely tough tires (our trailer spends more time off road than on road) tracking and stability problems are now a thing of the past for me. i would definitely recommend the Carlisle's
can see the size difference between the 2 tires. also like how i got more height and they fill up the wheelwells better, mind ya, i flipped the axle a few yrs ago trying to bring the height up to match my tow rig

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[bigcountry78]

So, I did not intend for this to turn into a barn fire. I do understand the importance of tire pressure. I also understand the importance of using the correct tire for the intended purpose. I also understand that there are people everywhere that use the wrong tire for the wrong application and it turns out fine. There are also people who use the right tire for the right application and have issues. We’ve all used screw drivers to drive screws. We’ve also used screw drivers as pry bars, scrapers, ice picks, what have you.

I put a lot of stock in @bucket opinion, I’ve met the guy personally and I know he logs a lot of miles for work. I also read and take everyone else’s comments into consideration.

This is my fault for not providing all the information I have from post one. I will look when I get home this evening and let everyone know what brand tire I have currently, what psi is recommended, and what the load range is. At the end of the day I was just curious if my current setup could be improved upon, without changing anything else. I need to make sure whatever tire I go with will physically fit on the trailer. I’m not going to do any suspension changes or anything else. As it sits, I have had 0 issues with the ST tires on my trailer, other than the valve stems have needed to be replaced on both tires and the spare. That is of no fault of the tires themselves. The only minor issue I have had was less than great side to side stability. And even at that, it’s nothing that has caused me any issues. I’m just being picky.

 

[bigcountry78]

my flat deck quad trailer is almost the same size as your trailer (6x13) that came with crappy little 205's. they did alright for a few yrs, but with 3 quads and all our gear on it (approx 3800 lbs including trailer weight) they would sway or not track the best. i upgraded them to st225/75R15 tires. i went with Carlisle Radial Trail HD's and i prob won't buy any other kind after running the Carlisle's for the last 6 or 7 yrs.
i picked up over a 1000lbs more load capacity than the stock ST's, as well i gained about 2" height as well which comes in real handy when your tow pig has an 8" lift with 38's.
i find them well built, extremely tough tires (our trailer spends more time off road than on road) tracking and stability problems are now a thing of the past for me. i would definitely recommend the Carlisle's
can see the size difference between the 2 tires. also like how i got more height and they fill up the wheelwells better, mind ya, i flipped the axle a few yrs ago trying to bring the height up to match my tow rig

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

Thank you for your experience and your recommendation. Carlisle generally has a good reputation for tires in my experience, and they may be what I go with this time around. I have had this trailer since 2012, and intend to keep it for at least the next 10 years. I have no issues putting some quality tires on it.