Trailer Tire Blowout !

[DRR-24V]

JAMAR9082

Carlisle has thier own website. I guess they are pretty highly rated. I am just flat afraid of them now. I was going to go with the BiasPly tires but found out they run much hotter than Radials. I am in a fix with my 15" chrome wheels that I will have to swap off to run a load range E tire. Will keep looking.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Well after reading the posts on the tires, I went out to check mine , as the Atlanta race is in 4 weeks. Wouldn't you know. I found a bubble on the outside edge about the size of an egg on one tire. These tires are less than 2 years old.



As the trailer sits now there is 30 inches from ground to bottom of trailer. A 245 -16 tire sits at 30. 4 inches. These 225- 15's sit at 27. 5 inches. Maybe the 215-E range will work. Really is a stiff with no air ride... Maybe the Kelderman air system will straighten that out. Gotta do something. :{



. . Preston. .

 

[gbraden]

I have a '91 20' RoadRanger travel trailer that I purchased new. Here's some nameplate info: GVWR 7,120; GAWR 3,347 each axle; Gross Dry Wt. 3,635; Payload 3,485, Rims 15"x6", 5 holes. The tires have always been ST205/75R15, Load Range C (1,820#). Even after filling the 35 gal water tank, filling propane tanks, adding 2nd battery, adding canned goods, groceries, & clothing, and throwing in some wrenches I feel that I am still well under the rated loads. Remember, I had over 3,000 # payload to start with.

My problem is that in the past 2 years I have had 3 tires fail on me while I was driving down the highway. They were all Goodyear Marathons, 1 and 2 years old at the time, and had no more than 10,000 miles on them. One failure I discovered only after making a stop for gas. I saw smoke coming from under the trailer. The other two times I was waved at frantically by passing motorists. That sure gets your attention. Luckily I was able to quickly and safely pull off the road. All three times the tire was missing either all the tread or big chunks of it. What was left of the tires was hardly recognizable, they were more like smoking globs of rubber. Looked like they were ready to burst into flame. Each time we were very lucky, only a little damage was done to the trailer, there was no fire, and there were no accidents. What is really scarry is that until I had stopped, I had no idea there was a problem. I didn't notice any change in the handling of the truck/trailer.

After reading these messages, I am now thinking of maybe going to 16" rims and heavier rated tires. But then, I don't think I was even close to the rated tire capacity when I had the tire failures. By the way, to alleviate a clearance problem with the axle and holding tank I had the axles flipped, thus I think there is plenty of clearance to go to larger tire size. But, would going to bigger, higher rated tire reduce chances of another similar tire failure?

I've also thought about installing remote tire pressure sensors.

There are at least two companies that offer then, but they are pretty pricy, something like $500. They are supposed to alert you if pressure in one of the tires drops below a certain level. Then again, $500 is cheap if it prevents an accident.

I dunno. What do you think I should do?

Glenn Braden

San Diego

 

[DRR-24V]

Gbraden

You should be fine with P225/75 R15 load range D tires with that size trailer. I would stay away from Carlisle and Marathons.

 

[RHamner]

I know you can buy 6 hole 16" wheels. I don't know if they make 5 hole 16". I don't think they do.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Another thing to think about with adding heaver tires, look at the axle ratings. I have 5400 lb Dexter. Now that is the same axle as a 6000 but with 6 lugs insteat of 8. I may just get 8 lug 16 in. wheel with low profile E range tires. Sort of like a low boy equipment trailer. Seems like it would make for a very hard ride. Like I said, may be time for an ride system.



. . Preston. .

 

[Power Wagon]

My 1970 Boles Aero has Michelin trailer radials which, according to the tire guy, were made BEFORE the end of 1972, since they lack markings which were mandated in 1972 (his commentary, not mine). One has been replaced with a bias ply of a design I haven't seen since the 70's as well.



I towed it home from where I bought it, and it's 1st stop was the tire shop. Terry examined them carefully, and pronounced them fit for service. I've put about 4000 miles on them since then, and they look just about the same as they did when I got them.



I'm going to replace them before I go to Alaska... I guess perhaps they really don't make some things like they used to.

 

[Turbo Thom]

I ordered 4 bias-ply tires from a local trailer supplier and are costing me $75 each+ put on. Should have them friday.



. . Preston. .

 

[DRR-24V]

Turbo

What brand are they? Are they NanKang or what?

 

[Turbo Thom]

DRR-24:

This may sound a little stupid but I do not know. I know 8 ply(D) These folks handle trailer parts and axles. I'll post as soon as I find out.



. . Preston. .

 

[Turbo Thom]

Turns out the trailer place I was going to forgot what I wanted so I told I would go somewhere else. I called a supplier today and he put me in touch with a dealer within 15 miles of the house. He told me he could get me 4 Denman 8 ply tires that the construction trailers use for lowboy type trailers . $50 each with $12 mount and balance. These tires are from Taiwan and I'm told a stronger sidewall. The other tires are Japanese. Some of the larger tire co's. here can't even get bias-ply tires. How bout that? Now all I have to do is take the trailer to him and let them change them out. I'll probably take two at a time.



There you have it.



. . Preston. .

 

[DRR-24V]

Bad Luck And Trailer Tires.!!

Loaded up 5th wheel and went to town to have 4 new Namkang bias ply tires installed. They rotated the truck tires and installed the trailer tires (after balancing) all in 1 hour. They also torqued everything. I was so impressed I tipped the guy and left. Got home, unhooked and noticed the tires were RADIALS. Called the shop and he says bring it back and we will install the bias ply tires. Hooked up, went to town, jacked up trailer and then found out they did not have 4 of them. They will arrive thursday. I advised I was going 300 miles to the Monthly shoot early thursday. They told me to use these and when I return they will put on the bias plys. Some days you just can't win. The guy kept my tip

 

[Turbo Thom]

At a local tire shop here I had 4 Denman bias ply installed yesterday. Those are really a stout looking tire . Don't look like much flex will be there. Now I've got to get the Kerderman air ride system for a smooth ride. From Woodlawn RV for $794. 00.



Sounds that will be my next project.



. . Preston. .

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Tires

Take a real good look at Goodyear G159, 10 ply all steel belt commercial tires. They are approx. $160 each but worth the price for safety and longevity.

I had 70k on them on my 5th. wheel. 4 Alaska Hyw. trips and 3 into Mexico without any tire problems. They still had tread on them but started to get lumpy due to unbalance.

18 wheelers use them as well as busses etc. They come in many sizes.

All those other tires are cheap and not suitable for heavy trailers.

Bridgestone makes a comparable model that is just as good.

Remember. . you get what you pay for. The secret is to have ALL STEEL plys, no poly or rayon or other crap.

 

[DRR-24V]

FINALLY !

Finally replaced the new Radials with the new Bias Plys. The sidewalls do not have much flex, seem pretty good. Time will tell.

 

[TKilgore]

confused

I have read this thread with great interest and have learned allot.

However, I have a few questions.



Are you using trailer tires or truck tires and what exactly is the difference?



Is there an advantage to using bias tires vs. radial?



Thanks Tom

 

[Turbo Thom]

TKilgore:

From what I can tell, radials seem to seperate and blow. I just replaced My 4 radials. One had a bubble on the side and the other 3 had , according to the tire store, cord seperation. If you watch NASCAR you can remember when they raced on bias ply tires and they would slide more and the tire would give more warning when a problem was brewing. The radials don't. They just go.



As far as truck and trailer difference, I think it has to do with the side wall flex. Trailer tires are made for mostly straight line driving.



I do know that radials grip more and bias ply slide better. I would want my trailer to slide easier when I in a bind.

That just me.



. . Preston. .

 

[RustyTRanch]

I have one better!!

My stock trailer had( key word is had)"Carlisle Brand"

Tire pressure in guide lines

Tire cold

and the tire let loose

just sitting there

It look just like your Pic

Tire dealer said he has seen a lot of them go

all other 3 was gone same day

later

mike

 

[DRR-24V]

Tkilgore

They are Trailer tires. They are marked ST for trailer tires. The bias ply tires seem stiffer in the sidewalls. (not as much flex)

 

[TKilgore]

shopping

Thanks for the info. I guess I better start shopping. My tires are '98 model and look new but ya'll have scared me now.



thanks again



Tom