Trailer tire help needed

[fortunate1]

Time for the 7000# dual axle utility trailer to get new tires. I've never owned a trailer long enough to need new tires before this. Besides the 6-ply vs. 4-ply, what are the pros & cons of using automotive tires or "trailer only" tires? Do I need to look only for load rating in order to make a good decision? BTW, they're 205/75-15.

 

[Servis]

Truck vs Trailer Tires

LT tires are primarily designed to handle positive drive and steering applications.

You will need to purchase an ST designation tire, Carlisle makes a ST235/85HR16. It will handle 3200 pounds. Goodyear brand Marathon ST offers a 3,000 pound capacity at 65 psi in a 235/80R16 Load Range D size. The LT225/7516 Load RangeE is typically used on medium-size trailers. The larger fifth-wheel trailer requires even high capacity tires. That's why Goodyear introduced the G614 RST. The LT235/8516 Load Range G tire offers a capacity of 3,750 pounds at 110 psi. Confused, don't be ,tell the tire manufactor what you need. I just purchased four new tires , Carlisle

brand at Discount Tires. Get some good tires and enjoy camping.

Bill

 

[RustyJC]

With all respect, I would suggest one run an Internet search on "Carlisle tread separation" before purchasing any tires from this manufacturer.



Rusty

 

[JRhinehart]

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT buy Carlisle tires at any price! We have a thread going at Moparts.com about how bad they are! I have blown out several in the last few years, and now only use Goodyear or Chaparall trailer tires load range D or E if I can get them.

 

[keimmmo]

I have run LT (Light Truck) tires on all my trailers for years. I load heavy and tow cross country. They tow fine! Dealers are LEGALLY required to tell you to buy only trailer service tires. Just be sure you buy tires that have AT LEAST the same capacity as the original tires... a little more wouldn't hurt.



Steve

 

[RustyJC]

I can cite you 2 LT tires that are specifically recommended by their manufacturers for commercial trailer service - in fact, the latter is ONLY for trailer service.



1. Michelin XPS Rib (Load Range E)



2. Goodyear G614RST (Load Range G)



Rusty

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I've got the Goodyear G614's, a little on the spendy side, but I would not recommend any other trailer tire.

 

[RustyJC]

Unfortunately, he needs 205/75-15s. The Goodyear G614RST (which I also have as the OEM tire on my 5th wheel) only comes as an LT235/85R-16G tire at present.



Rusty

 

[Blu-meanie]

Stay away from Les Schwab Tire Centers too. I went there to buy Towmasters and they substituted some crap made in China. I didn't notice until they were installed. I was leaving the next day, or they would have put the old ones back on and I would have found a tire dealer that doesn't cheat their customers. They don't respond to letters either, so I guess I am free to badmouth them whenever and wherever I can. :-{}

 

[MChildress]

I have Goodyear LT 7. 50x15 wranglers LR D on my #7000 Lb lowboy trailer 7 years no problems. Now for the CARLISLES on my gooseneck trailer I blew three on on the same trip last week. The trailer and tires are not even two years old,so still in warranty. I replaced them with 235 85 16 LR E Michelin XPS RIB $196 at Discount Tire.

 

[RDHamill]

I was wearing out a set (4)of Goodyear Marathons in a year, did that twice and had enough.

I switched to Kelly 10ply LT truck tire. No more money and after a year they are not half worn out yet.

Very pleased with them, so much so that I put a set on the truck.

The come with very deep tread and don't seem to wear fast.





good luck.

 

[Servis]

Trailer Tires vs. Truck Tires

I see we all have a different opinions on what is the best tire for a travel trailer. That's what make this a great place to live. As I previous stated I just finished purchasing four new Carlisle tires for my travel trailer. Before I purchased them I had the truck and trailer weighed together and then separately. I have had good results with previous Carlisle tires . I will let you know at a later date had these faired. Thanks for all of your suggestions

 

[desertryder]

next dumb tire question.

I have load range C tires on my 25 ft 5th wheel.



They say 1850 lbs per tire.

Are these just going to give me trouble?

They are new but the C load range I question. .

 

[keimmmo]

Depending on how it is equiped and how much it weighs, they might be adequate. That isn't a huge trailer! Do you have any way of finding out the ratings on the original tires? If you are the same or better, you are fine. If they are less than original, you are probably in trouble.



For what it is worth, there is an "Extra Load" tire that really does not have any ply or load rating, but it is rated to haul more weight than a load range C. They are most common in a 235X15 size. I have used them on MANY trailers with great results!



Steve

 

[MMeier]

Stay away from Goodyears, nothing but bad times with them on my 20' enclosed, even stepped up to 225's. If available in your area, check into the "Loadstar" brand of trailer tire. They are on the open trailers I distribute for a place out of Oklahoma. Even slightly overloaded and 1125 miles non-stop in blazing heat, I have not lost one "yet". Nationwide warranty also!

 

[rweis]

Alfa Leisure was using Carlise tires. There have been NUMEROUS recalls. The Alfa 5ers are fairly heavy and the Carlise tires were a BAD choice. Many failures.



I would NOT recommend Carlise tires.



Do some research on tires. LT (light truck) are manufactured for being able to turn (steering loads). There are trailer tires designed to specifically be used on trailers (ie no steering angles etc) ie that go in a straight direction.



I would stick with tires designed for trailers. Your weight ratings / load range plus a safety margin.



Several excellant choices listed above.



Bob Weis

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Tire mfg. recommend reducing the load rating 10% if you use car/truck tires on a trailer. I am running four 225-75R15 tires on my Airstream (gvw 5500 lb). They are D rated, something like 2560 lb each. They run cool at 75 mph, 60 psi (65 max spec) but are nowhere near loaded down. I had a lot of ply separations a couple years ago with nankang and marathons (but the marathons were the orginal tires, 7 years old).

 

[crobertson1]

I'm in the same boat, needing to replace my TT tires. Does anyone know anything about Denman tires? I'm also going from Carlisle tires (205/75/15 in load range C). I'm going to go up to D or E. The Denmans are available in E but found some Titans in D. Any suggestions?

 

[Servis]

I don't know anything about Denman tires. I went from Goodyear load range C tires to Carlise tires load range E. And I put steel value stems on the rims.

 

[K5IP]

I also had problems, both with Good year and Carlise tires on a 5th wheel. It used 15 in, LR D St tires. (wieght ratings were marginal)

I was able to substitute to a 16 in tire. Lots of good truck tires avalible. (I used old tires from my ram (LR E) and bought new ones for the truck.

No more problems.

Before I did this, I spoke to Dexter Axel, and they said the primary reason for using ST tires (trailer tires) was that they were made in higher load ranges than regular tires. This seems important if you need a 15 inch tire with maximum capacity. Otherwise, if you have room for a larger tire, go to a 16 inch tire, it can solve a magnitude of problems.

Rog