Radials or Bias?

[Fireman Dave]

Just threw 2 shoes on the TT on my trip east. I'm thinking about what I'm going to put on my trailer now. The tires I have now are Carlisle radials. Had to use one bias to get home on. I'd like opinions on if you like bias or radials better. I know of at least one member who prefers bias. I noticed the one bias ran hotter to the touch than the radials on my way home, but it looks fine. Input please! Thanks in advance.

 

[Mingoglia]

The reason I'm considering bias ply for my trailer is while they don't wear nearly as well as radials, they are considerably cheaper and there's a lot better chance that a bias ply won't rip apart the side of your trailer (like my Carlisle did to mine) when they come apart.

 

[Matt42]

Three months ago, I was a solid proponent of bias ply tires for my trailer. I put a set of Tow Master on my 26 foot TT to replace the radials it came with.



They were awful.



They wouldn't track well. Shucks, they wouldn't even track adequately. They made the trailer dance. I replaced them after 100 miles with a set of (grimace) Carlisle radials. After 6,000 miles, so far, so good, and they track much better.



I am still not happy and am concerned about them coming apart. I do make sure that they stay fully inflated (50 PSI) at a 70 degree F standard, and that I don't over load them. Still, they are made in clamshell molds instead of segmented matrix molds, so I don't have high expectations.

 

[Mingoglia]

I assume with 50psi of pressure that they're not load range D?

 

[wcaldwell]

My first TT tire question: I know I have to replace all 5 of my TT tires - the original 15-year old Kelly Springfield H-78x15. Do any of you know anything about Big-O TT tires? Good, bad, etc.

Thanks bunches.



Wayne

 

[Okie-Go]

A GOOD set of radials is hard to beat. I like the radials as to they do seem to run a lot cooler. Heat and underinflation is what kills a tire.

 

[Shooter]

Originally posted by wcaldwell

My first TT tire question: I know I have to replace all 5 of my TT tires - the original 15-year old Kelly Springfield H-78x15. Do any of you know anything about Big-O TT tires? Good, bad, etc.

Thanks bunches.



Wayne

They have a lot of outlets so you don't have to go far for adjustments. You usually get what you pay for. Buy a CHEAP tire you get a CHEAP tire.



Can't complain about the last set of GY Marathons, 32k miles and no problems ( not even a leak ). That included a LOT of SW summer towing at 75+ mph.