Trailer Tires

[AndrewKing]

HI All,



Just a quick question regarding different sized trailer tires... . I run a 16' tandem

landscape trailer..... Since the rear tandem typically wears out before the fronts, I had to have the rears replaced. When the tire shop replaced the tires they used ST 205 75 D 15 (the same Carlisle tires I have on all mt other trailers). When they finished and I got the trailer back I noticed that the new tires were slightly smaller than the other tired on the trailer... . I think the old ones were 78

profile tires (trailer is on a job or I could be more specific)... But in either case, the new rear tires are slightly smaller than the old tires... . Will or can this cause a problem?... . My driver said he started swaying at 55 MPH... He blamed it on the tire mismatch in size between axles... . I suggested it may have been cause by

improper equipment placement on the trailer (ie improper tongue weight) and possible speeding (given road conditions) and possibly by too much steering input for whatever reason that may have initiated the sway..... Any ideas if the tire mismatch in size could have caused it?... . Also, even if the old tires were Bias VS the new radials could that cause a problem in itself? (I think in cars/trucks you are supposedly OK so long as you keep the same tire style / make on the same axle)?

THanks in advance.

Andrew

 

[ScottLewis]

The difference in tire size probably isn't significant since your equalizers compensate to distribute the weight equally between axles. Using bias on one and radial on the other might though, because of differences in flexibility between the 2. I'm certainly not a tire expert, Though I did stay at Holiday Inn Express last night, so I could be wrong.



Dan

 

[Grizzly]

Mixing Bias and radial will cause swaying. Carlisle is know to be about the worst trailer tire according a long thread recently on TDR here.

 

[KSears]

I am not sure why you thinkyou have mismatched tires ,, st205 75d 15 are bias ply,, radial tires have an 'R' in their designation,, the tires above are same as f78- 15 's ,, I just bought a spare for my trailer in this size,, I would say the swaying was caused by either the load or speeding or road conditions

 

[Grizzly]

I have owned tandem axle trailers for many years. I have never had one sway even at highway speed, with or without a load. I alway keep the same size tires, same brand, same air pressure on all five, counting the spare.

 

[Hoefler]

Sounds like a tire pressure issue. The installer may have only aired them to 32-35 psi. Very common among the mindless monkeys they get to mount them. They don't think there is a difference between cars, trucks, or trailers.

 

[Grizzly]

Sounds like a tire pressure issue. The installer may have only aired them to 32-35 psi. Very common among the mindless monkeys they get to mount them. They don't think there is a difference between cars, trucks, or trailers.

I've had one or two low tires with a load in the trailer with no sway. I believe there 's more to it than that. As far as these mindless monkeys, all you have to do is tell them how much air pressure you want. They generally do pretty good for what they get paid.

 

[JHardwick]

I just bought a set of ST235/85R16 LR"E" Carlisle tires. The trailer came with LT235/85R16 LR"E" Laredos. I got tired of paying $175 for them, so the Carlisle at $120 was attractive.



I ain't worried about a blow out, those are usually caused by low air pressure.



I ain't worried about tread wear, I usually get so much stuff in my trailer tires, they'll have a few patches before the tread wears out.

 

[ScottLewis]

The Carlyse tires I had that blew out (2) or bulged (2) were properly inflated, checked regularly and were not overloaded. After 4 out of 5 went south, I swore never to have them again.



Dan

 

[Grizzly]

I like my new Michelin XPS Rib 16 LT's. I believe that LT is a better way to go.

 

[steved]

I have owned tandem axle trailers for many years. I have never had one sway even at highway speed, with or without a load. I alway keep the same size tires, same brand, same air pressure on all five, counting the spare.

An overloaded tire will cause sway... like having a load range "C" tire in an application that required a load range "D". I have experienced this first hand.



steved

 

[Crash&Burn]

Somewhat related:

I have a 16 ft tandem that uses 14. 5 mobile home tires and wheels... . the tires were so old and cracked that I was afraid to go over 30 mph and 5 miles away. I have swore I would never buy a tire from china, but after much looking I had no choice.

I pickup my new 14. 5 Towmasters tomorrow..... wishmeluck!!!

 

[catoiler]

I just bought a set of ST235/85R16 LR"E" Carlisle tires. The trailer came with LT235/85R16 LR"E" Laredos. I got tired of paying $175 for them, so the Carlisle at $120 was attractive.



I ain't worried about a blow out, those are usually caused by low air pressure.



I ain't worried about tread wear, I usually get so much stuff in my trailer tires, they'll have a few patches before the tread wears out.

I can show you more damage from the crap carlisle tires than you would want to see! Check the tread depth on them and I think you will find their kinda skimpy on it. Threw out every one of them junkers on my trailers and went back to good ol rag tires!

 

[JHardwick]

I can show you more damage from the crap carlisle tires than you would want to see! Check the tread depth on them and I think you will find their kinda skimpy on it. Threw out every one of them junkers on my trailers and went back to good ol rag tires!

I dunno, we'll see how they last. I've got close to 20K on them now. If they don't last I'll go back to Hankook.