Posted By: Jamie340
Trailer Tires? - 10/29/12 08:37 PM
I will be purchasing new trailer tires this winter and would like recommendations. Towing roughly 8250 lbs. Pros and cons please. Thank you
Jamie
Jamie
Trailer Tires?
Posted By: Locomotion
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/29/12 08:44 PM
Load Range E, preferably on 16" rims and stay away from Carlisle. I like to have a wide safety margin as far as load rating goes.
Posted By: Hemi Joe
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/29/12 09:38 PM
The best that I have heard of is B.F. Goodrich! I have been on this subject numerous times before, primarily because we went through 4 of our 6 trailer tires this past year and I blame it the fact that they are Chinese Manufactured Tires. In my opinion those tires are JUNK !!! I believe that we do everything correct, such as tire pressures and rotation and taking care of them with little or no success. They either blow the sides out of them or they peel the tread off of them.
I have had a lot of other racers with the same problem. We run a 48' goose neck, tri axle enclosed w/living quarters. We also run the highest load range tires available with little or no luck. The best we have been able to get is almost 2-years of use and we do not travel all over the country, we pretty much stay close to Ohio. We need a U S Tire manufacturer to step up and start to manufacture trailer tires here in the USA.
We have talked to Cooper and they told us that they use to make trailer tires here up to about 3 years ago and no one would buy them because they were around $30.00 more than the Chinese made tires. I for one would spend the extra money, because as you know, they never blow or go flat at a good time or in nice weather or in a safe place to change the tires. We racers need to contact a manufacturer and request that they start to built trailer tires here in the USA and then back them buy using their products. GOOD LUCK - HEMI JOE
I have had a lot of other racers with the same problem. We run a 48' goose neck, tri axle enclosed w/living quarters. We also run the highest load range tires available with little or no luck. The best we have been able to get is almost 2-years of use and we do not travel all over the country, we pretty much stay close to Ohio. We need a U S Tire manufacturer to step up and start to manufacture trailer tires here in the USA.
We have talked to Cooper and they told us that they use to make trailer tires here up to about 3 years ago and no one would buy them because they were around $30.00 more than the Chinese made tires. I for one would spend the extra money, because as you know, they never blow or go flat at a good time or in nice weather or in a safe place to change the tires. We racers need to contact a manufacturer and request that they start to built trailer tires here in the USA and then back them buy using their products. GOOD LUCK - HEMI JOE
Posted By: Cab_Burge
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/29/12 10:18 PM
Quote:My trailer is similar weight, 8300 to 8650 lbs on the axles, 700 on the tonque depending on how far I'm going to race and how much stuff I throw in the trailer. I use to have a lot of tire troubles on both my trucks and trailers, especailly the car trailer when i lived in the Mojave desert in SO CA, I moved to central Oregon in the spring of 2005 and have not had any tire troubles since beside running over a large rock in the rode at night
I will be purchasing new trailer tires this winter and would like recommendations. Towing roughly 8250 lbs. Pros and cons please. Thank you
Jamie
Ruined both passenger side tires and rims on the trailer 
I have a mix of tires on that trailer now,all are 225x75x15 ST one Carlisle 8 ply D rating, two Tow Master 10 ply E rating and one other local brand E rated I carry two sparees now also and they are both D rated Chinese imports Buy the best you can find, especialy if you use the trailer in the heat of summer for long distances 
Posted By: Jamie340
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/29/12 10:46 PM
I want to thank everyone for the responses. May I ask a couple of more questions? The Goodyear Marathon are they considered one of the best? What about using LT style tire for this amount of weight.
Thanks again
Jamie
Thanks again
Jamie
Posted By: Triple Threat
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/29/12 11:16 PM
Stick with a dedicated trailer tire. 16" and load range E preferred. Nothing will ruin a trip to the track like a blow out.
Don't skimp on cheaper tires they will tear up a trailer when they blow and cost you more $$$ in the long run.
Don't skimp on cheaper tires they will tear up a trailer when they blow and cost you more $$$ in the long run.
Posted By: Gearhead383
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/30/12 12:17 AM
If your stuck with a 15" rim, like most of us, find a tire with a load range "E". I only know of two brands out there, there may be more. One being Carlisle which I just switched to. I use to run the Marathons ("D" range) but could only get 3 years before they blew. When one goes, the rest will soon follow. If these don't hold up, then I think will make the jump to 16" rims. Way more options on tires. Good luck with your search! 
Posted By: pittsburghracer
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/30/12 12:25 AM
If you have a lot of time here's some good reading. Many of the guys on this link travel full time and put on lots of miles.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseac...%7B%7D/sr/1.cfm
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseac...%7B%7D/sr/1.cfm
Posted By: BryanRad
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/30/12 01:50 AM
I personally have had the best luck with Marthons, if someone tries to give you Milestar's dont take them. Hands down worst tires I have ever had on anything.
Posted By: 64Post
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/30/12 02:08 AM
Maxxis might still make a 10ply E tire in 15". Don't get caught with a LT tire on a trailer.
Posted By: Chris'sBarracuda
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/30/12 02:39 AM
Just bought 6 Hercules STR-235/85/R16 Load range F.. 12 ply
I took advice from trucking companies.. These have a 3980# rating.. Hauling 16000# in a 48' 5th wheel..
Nice looking tire.. $1100.00 for 6 tires 
We'll see..
Chris..
I took advice from trucking companies.. These have a 3980# rating..
Hauling 16000# in a 48' 5th wheel..Nice looking tire..
$1100.00 for 6 tires We'll see..
Chris..
Posted By: rickstershemi
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/30/12 03:09 AM
Quote:p
I want to thank everyone for the responses. May I ask a couple of more questions? The Goodyear Marathon are they considered one of the best? What about using LT style tire for this amount of weight.
Thanks again
Jamie
my Goodyear Marathon ST's were G-Rated and 14 ply....awesome tires
Rickster
Posted By: rowin4
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/30/12 03:20 AM
Quote:Quote:p
I want to thank everyone for the responses. May I ask a couple of more questions? The Goodyear Marathon are they considered one of the best? What about using LT style tire for this amount of weight.
Thanks again
Jamie
my Goodyear Marathon ST's were G-Rated and 14 ply....awesome tires
Rickster [/quote
14 ply? must on a big rig
Posted By: qwkmopardan
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/30/12 03:21 AM
I got talked into Denman Express trailer tires-{made in mexico}-, I gladly switched as I could only get 2 years on Goodyear Marathons. 225x75x15ST load range D. Not even close to a year and the Denmans were all junk and one blew the sidewall out. So then I switched backed to the Goodyear Marathons and paid about $30 a tire more. I got the trailer home with the new Goodyears and checked the air pressure and noticed --MADE IN CHINA-- written in the sidewall of my new Goodyear Marathons. They were alot better looking than the older Marathons and had a scuff guard on the sidewall. The chinese Goodyears lasted 3 years so the next set I wanted the same chinese marathons and got a made in the USA set this time. I just finished the 2nd year on this set and they are not looking so good. I think 16" is the way to go with Load range E
Posted By: rowin4
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/30/12 03:32 AM
I bought a set of Maxxis 225 75 15 load range E, pricey but they seem to be holding up. !6 " tires would be better but the way my Pace Shadow trailer wheel well is constructed there is not enough room to put them on . I have thought about getting out the sawz -all and the welder though. On the subject of using truck LT tires on a trailer. the side walls are not made the same and will fail from turning. If your at the track just watch the trailer tires as the guys are turning into there spot or turning in the parking lot. The tires will be skidding sideways on the pavement .
Posted By: Hemi_Joel
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/30/12 04:40 AM
i had nothing but failures with goodyear 225 75 r15 d marathons. i went thru about a dozen of them, (3 on one trip)
switched to towmaster 16 E radials, never had another problem.
here is a typical marathon
switched to towmaster 16 E radials, never had another problem.
here is a typical marathon
Posted By: SNK-EYZ
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/30/12 05:12 AM
Does anyone still run bias-ply (non radials) trailer tires?
If so do they have the tread separation issues like a radial does?
I had a tread peel off on my enclosed trailer on the way home from MMW Gateway (put one of the spares on to get home)and it's probably gonna need a set of 4 (225/75r15 ST) before I use the trailer again.
Most of what I see out there are radials, but I know of one guy that runs bias-ply (16").
None of them seem to last for very long, but separating and blowing out on the road sucks.
If so do they have the tread separation issues like a radial does?
I had a tread peel off on my enclosed trailer on the way home from MMW Gateway (put one of the spares on to get home)and it's probably gonna need a set of 4 (225/75r15 ST) before I use the trailer again.
Most of what I see out there are radials, but I know of one guy that runs bias-ply (16").
None of them seem to last for very long, but separating and blowing out on the road sucks.
Posted By: Challenger 1
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/30/12 01:00 PM
Quote:
If your stuck with a 15" rim, like most of us, find a tire with a load range "E". I only know of two brands out there, there may be more. One being Carlisle which I just switched to. I use to run the Marathons ("D" range) but could only get 3 years before they blew. When one goes, the rest will soon follow. If these don't hold up, then I think will make the jump to 16" rims. Way more options on tires. Good luck with your search!
I have had great luck with Goodyear ST tires.
I have had 4 enclosed trailers over the years and all of them had 16" wheels on them. I swear I have trailered over 200K miles with my enclosed trailers and have NEVER had a Goodyear blowout or go flat, NEVER! all mine were 16" wheels and tires.
Then I have trailered over 60K miles with my open trailer with 15" tires in the last 3 years and have had no blowouts. My open trailer is stock and no added tool boxes to make it over weight.
I also was very careful what I put in my enclosed trailers, never installed wooden kitchen cabinets or stuff like that that's does not belong in a trailer which I see all the time at the track in other peoples trailers.
I'd buy Goodyear if your asking me even if there made in china, but I would call and ask for US made tires before buying. My
I would not buy a trailer enclosed with 15" wheels. That's a way to get the price down but now you are going to have tire trouble because 15" is pushing the limits of the tire and your axles are too small also.
Hemi Joe...enclosed with living quarters are really heavy trailers and do not have a lot of payload capacity. So it makes it real easy to be overweight. Especially if you built something custom inside, lightweight is expensive. IMO it's time to remove stuff from inside your trailer to lighten it up. I'm sure you have 16" wheels on it, right?
I got lucky that all my Goodyears that I bought in the last 15 years were USA made, even the 15" that I bought from the Tire Rack in 2010. I now hear all of them are made overseas? I am going to call and ask for US made trailer tires next time I need them.
Posted By: skrews
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/30/12 09:55 PM
I used to sell tires, and I can tell you that all trailer tires are crap. Didn't matter what brand GoodYear, Carlisle they all fail inside of 5 years. Don't buy in to that LT tires won't work on a trailer BS. I put LT 235/75/15 C load range tires on my trailers, my fathers trailer, my uncles trailer, 3 of my racing buddies trailers. Not one issue, not one failure. If the LT tires on my 3 ton turbo diesel tow rig don't go to crap every time I turn around, seems logical that they would work as well under the trailer, and they have.
Michelin
BF Goodrich
Cooper
Good Year = worst tire brand I ever saw, nothing but advertising and gimmics. Easily the highest failure rate of all the tires I sold.
Don't buy no name tires made in 3rd world countries.
Michelin
BF Goodrich
Cooper
Good Year = worst tire brand I ever saw, nothing but advertising and gimmics. Easily the highest failure rate of all the tires I sold.
Don't buy no name tires made in 3rd world countries.
Posted By: jafr
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/31/12 01:18 AM
If you can find them Maxxis is your best bet for a 15" tire, if you go to a 16 you will get a better tire and have more choices.
Two years is the norm on most trailer tires, they aren't desinged to run over 65 mph and watch a trailer tire when you turn a corner it tries to roll it off the rim. Trailer tires take a lot of punishment1
Two years is the norm on most trailer tires, they aren't desinged to run over 65 mph and watch a trailer tire when you turn a corner it tries to roll it off the rim. Trailer tires take a lot of punishment1
Posted By: nss guy
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/31/12 01:52 AM
I've given up trying to find the best trailer tire and have been buying carlise's from Discount tire with along with a $20 lifetime warranty, they'll replace them depending on treadwear and we all know the tread's never worn down they just explode. I carry a spare mounted on a rim and an extra tire not mounted. turn in the blowout and get another tire under warranty.
Posted By: 408strokerdart
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/31/12 02:43 AM
Quote:
I used to sell tires, and I can tell you that all trailer tires are crap. Didn't matter what brand GoodYear, Carlisle they all fail inside of 5 years. Don't buy in to that LT tires won't work on a trailer BS. I put LT 235/75/15 C load range tires on my trailers, my fathers trailer, my uncles trailer, 3 of my racing buddies trailers. Not one issue, not one failure. If the LT tires on my 3 ton turbo diesel tow rig don't go to crap every time I turn around, seems logical that they would work as well under the trailer, and they have.
Michelin
BF Goodrich
Cooper
Good Year = worst tire brand I ever saw, nothing but advertising and gimmics. Easily the highest failure rate of all the tires I sold.
Don't buy no name tires made in 3rd world countries.
I run Maxxis 16" LT tires on my triple axle gooseneck. No problems and no blow outs. One flat tire after sitting overnight at a rest area....vale stem was bad. I don't buy into running just trailer tires. I think it is BS. I just make sure I keep my tires covered when not in use to keep the sun from destroying them.
Posted By: Challenger 1
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/31/12 12:04 PM
Quote:
I used to sell tires, and I can tell you that all trailer tires are crap. Didn't matter what brand GoodYear, Carlisle they all fail inside of 5 years. Don't buy in to that LT tires won't work on a trailer BS. I put LT 235/75/15 C load range tires on my trailers, my fathers trailer, my uncles trailer, 3 of my racing buddies trailers. Not one issue, not one failure. If the LT tires on my 3 ton turbo diesel tow rig don't go to crap every time I turn around, seems logical that they would work as well under the trailer, and they have.
Michelin
BF Goodrich
Cooper
Good Year = worst tire brand I ever saw, nothing but advertising and gimmics. Easily the highest failure rate of all the tires I sold.
Don't buy no name tires made in 3rd world countries.
That has not been my experience with 16" Goodyears tires on my 49' trailer with a full alky operation inside.
The trailer is very heavy with 3 motors, 3 trans, a few hundred clutch disc, and clutch grinder, 30 cases of motor oil, 100 gals of fresh water, genset, fuel tank for the genset and lot's more including tons of parts and tools. I ran that trailer for 125K miles and never had a blowwout.
That's why I like Goodyear, plus like I said above I have run my 15" Goodyears at 75 mph for over 50K miles in just the last 3 years and no blowouts.
Did I get lucky? I don't think so. I run all my trailer tires 10 pounds over what the sidewall says. Been doing it for 20 years. Do you know about that? since you used to sell tires?
Posted By: rickstershemi
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/31/12 12:19 PM
Quote:
That has not been my experience with 16" Goodyears tires on my 49' trailer with a full alky operation inside.
The trailer is very heavy with 3 motors, 3 trans, a few hundred clutch disc, and clutch grinder, 30 cases of motor oil, 100 gals of fresh water, genset, fuel tank for the genset and lot's more including tons of parts and tools. I ran that trailer for 125K miles and never had a blowwout.
That's why I like Goodyear, plus like I said above I have run my 15" Goodyears at 75 mph for over 50K miles in just the last 3 years and no blowouts.
Did I get lucky? I don't think so. I run all my trailer tires 10 pounds over what the sidewall says. Been doing it for 20 years. Do you know about that? since you used sell tires?
Rickster
Posted By: rickstershemi
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/31/12 12:24 PM
Quote:Quote:Quote:p
I want to thank everyone for the responses. May I ask a couple of more questions? The Goodyear Marathon are they considered one of the best? What about using LT style tire for this amount of weight.
Thanks again
Jamie
my Goodyear Marathon ST's were G-Rated and 14 ply....awesome tires
Rickster [/quote
14 ply? must on a big rig
Yes & Yes....lol 50 footer w/lq, triple 7k axles
Rickster
Posted By: imfixinmopars426
Re: Trailer Tires? - 10/31/12 12:32 PM
i never understood the scam on trailer tires.how can a tire be made,that usually costs more,fails more,and is sometimes a bias,ply....be a better tire? i would think a good quality truck tire would be a better choice,since its designed to carry heavy loads,AND humans! i would guess a human hauling tire would have to be a better quality,than a dedicated,"not for passenger car/truck" would be. ...oh and dont get me going on dry rot time of the trailer tires...junk,and yes i keep them covered! 
...oh and dont get me going on dry rot time of the trailer tires...junk,and yes i keep them covered!
Posted By: SG5438
Re: Trailer Tires? - 11/01/12 06:33 PM
I have had good luck with the 15in GY marathons on 2 trailers. Had a few that pulled a cord
and bulged the side but never a blow out while going down the road. I made sure to rotate them
every spring. I think that, keeeping them at 70 pounds and covering them is a big factor in
making them live. GY came out with a bulletin saying the marathons can be ran 10 pounds higher
it you want to run faster than 65 MPH.
Link to bulletin Link
I pull a 28 ft Vintage at 8200 pounds with a short bed Dodge. I had some sway issues until I
got the hitch setup right. I changed the wheels and tires to 16's in the hope the trailer would
track better. It made the whole rig go down the road a lot nicer. I found a set of aluminum
wheels off a 5th wheel RV. After reading the RV sites, I went with BFG Commercial T/A's,
all season tread, 225/75/16. They fit in the wheel well very nice. I run them at 65 pounds
as there is no need to run them at 80. It does hit the bumps a bit harder then with the GY's
but I feel a lot better going 75-80 down the HWY now.
I know I will never have a trailer with 15's ever again. Might have to buy it with them,
but they will be off as soon as possible.
Rick
and bulged the side but never a blow out while going down the road. I made sure to rotate them
every spring. I think that, keeeping them at 70 pounds and covering them is a big factor in
making them live. GY came out with a bulletin saying the marathons can be ran 10 pounds higher
it you want to run faster than 65 MPH.
Link to bulletin Link
I pull a 28 ft Vintage at 8200 pounds with a short bed Dodge. I had some sway issues until I
got the hitch setup right. I changed the wheels and tires to 16's in the hope the trailer would
track better. It made the whole rig go down the road a lot nicer. I found a set of aluminum
wheels off a 5th wheel RV. After reading the RV sites, I went with BFG Commercial T/A's,
all season tread, 225/75/16. They fit in the wheel well very nice. I run them at 65 pounds
as there is no need to run them at 80. It does hit the bumps a bit harder then with the GY's
but I feel a lot better going 75-80 down the HWY now.
I know I will never have a trailer with 15's ever again. Might have to buy it with them,
but they will be off as soon as possible.
Rick