Need new trailer tires, help

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Snoking you obviously know more than I do about tires. I believe it is a safety issue and there should be government intervention. Rubber flying all over the highway especially if it is Interstate could cause a fatal accident. One of my ST tire failures was on I-75 3 lane in that section and was as close as you can come without a smash up. I hope the people needing tires are now informed and will not buy ST tires and save themselves from being involved in a serious or fatal accident. Was glad to see your post, maybe those that doubted will accept what you are saying. I found that some dealers won't sell anything except ST tires for a trailer saying they are made special for trailers. Truth is they are made to fail to bring you back for more tires. It is a Tire Industry Scam and that is why I say ST stands for SCAM TIRE. REGARDS

 

[AMink]

Well, I ended up getting 4 new Tow Max tires at Les Schwab, 8 ply rating in 225/75-15. I bought another rim and had one of the "good" original tires put on it so now I have 2 spares. Just didn't have the cash for a full upgrade to 16" LT's. There are lots of Les Schwab where we travel, so that is at least a little comfort.



I guess I still find it hard to believe that they can make tires that are speed rated for less than the maximum limit in some states. Kinda goofy. Not that I want to go 75 pulling a trailer, but there should be some cushion.

SOOOOO... two of the tires mentioned above. went belly up this last weekend. Checked everything before we left and went about 20 miles. I stopped to check that my quad was still tight and checked the tires with the IR thermometer. 3 were at 117 or so, the forth was at 158! It was loosing air and the tread obviously separated from the carcass. Changed tires, checked the other tire on that side, and moved on down the road. We got to our camp (literally in the middle of the desert in Nevada) and the rear tire on the same side was bubbled around the tread. It was holding air, but you could push on it and feel that the tread was no longer attached. Had to wait until Monday and drive back to town to get two new tires. The one that lost pressure first had no sign of obvious damage. This tire was not even two years old! I am going to have to hold my breath and get something better!



I think what really gets me is that I am religious about my tire pressure, temperature, etc. and my tires get trashed. Then I see someone with tires from the last century, none of which match, hauling way too much, at too high a speed, and getting where they're going!

 

[SnoKing]

Switch to 16 inch rim and LT tires. ST's are chinese junk. Chris

 

[TFucili]

This is a old thread???? IMO, if you can not afford to change to 16" or if they will not fit your application, based on my experience of towing a boat for the last few years with a triple axle trailer many, many, many, miles I would recommend MAXXIS tires. I believe they are the best 15" trailer tire right now. I had 10ply and did not experience any problems. I also believe that many problems are caused by not properly maintaining your tires. Just my . 02
Jay

FYI, a friend of mine just had two Maxxis ST's start to delaminate at very low miles on a quad trailer. Not good.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

AMINK, I have had a lot of bad experience with tires. This is what I do as a result of my experience. LOOK at the manufacture date on the tire. Buy only a tire that was manufactured the year your are buying it. Makes no difference if the tire ages in storage or in use, it WILL age because of the chemicals used in the manufacturing process. passenger car tires and pick up tires should be replaced after 6 years of use from the date of manufacture. You will see an oval space on the tire containing 4 numbers, for example (14 09 ) manufactured in the 14th week of 2009. ST tires (service trailer) loose 1/3 of their strength in the first 3 years due to the more aggressive use of chemicals. A tire dealer will say this is a new tire it has never been on the ground when in fact it is an OLD tire, just never used. All tires begin to age the day they are made. By not buying a tire made in the year you are buying it you are throwing money away. The government mandated that the date of manufacture be put on every tire. We should use it to our advantage. -- email address removed --

 

[Duster]

I've been looking to change my 15 inch rims to 16 inch wheels but my 15 inch are 5 lug and I'm having trouble finding 16 inch with a 5 lug, any suggestions.

 

[HBarlow]

You'll have to replace your 3,500# axles with 5,000# six lug axles. See SouthWest Wheel's website.

 

[KKaminski]

Or you can contact Dexter axle and see what solutions they may have. I know that they are very receptive to their customers and have been helpful.

 

[EricBu12]

Just started reading this thread.

I bought my 2005 Raptor trailer and it had the tow master tires from china on it. 3 axles and thought it had enough carry capacity... Very bad and on one of my first trips, had a blow-out on the right rear.

Later did another trip and had another blow-out on the center left. . then saw 3 other tires were tread separated. . Replaced those tires with an OK tire. . the Tow max 15" "D" tire. . made by marathon in Canada, they worked good and wore good til I wanted to do a long vacation trip to the northwest...

Decided to get 16" Aluminum Rims from Discount tire. they have a removable cap so I can grease the axle bearings. These tires are about the same size as the stock 15" but higher load and higher pressure... 225/75-16". These are the Michelin Commercial T/A tires. . 10 ply and "E" rated. . Did a 2000 mile trip around the west and hills and high speed freeway. . have had no problems with these tires at all. would recommend them for any trailer.

 

[HBarlow]

I can't disagree with KKaminski. Dexter trailer running gear is American made and probably the best quality you can buy.

SouthWest Wheel sells Alko products and I don't know where Alko products are manufactured. I do think their products are good but don't know if they are as good as Dexter.

I often recommend SWW for two reasons. One, their prices are the best I have ever found and two, their excellent website provides detailed product descriptions and prices for almost any trailer related product anyone might want. Even if you don't buy from SWW their website will allow you to shop and compare prices.