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DClark

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This is a common subject on this form as would be expected. everyone has an opinion as to which or what tires are best. Just to add to the options, I just found that SAMs now carries trailer tires. They are made by Greenball and now everyone is going to say "Who's that". I have not heard of them, but I do not claim to be an expert on trailer tires. Also they make a ST225/75R15E tire. I have seen the many threads complaining about there not being any "E" rated 15" tires. Well here you go. If you want to know more about this brand, ck them out on the internet. This may help out those who cannot fine 15" tires with a high enough weight rating.
DClark
 
Greenball is one of the many chinese tires around. My jazz came with them, they were 16 inch "e" rated tires. They only lasted for three years, less than 5000 miles, before they started to separate.

Sam
 
Green Ball markets the Tow Master brand, another Chinese made tire. I have heardand seen the best results among 15" trailer tires from Maxxis.
 
Titan, and i am sure others also have 15 inch load range E tires. I personally have had the best luck with Duro St 225/75R15. ( pulled them at 35K because of age. My worst were Nankang and Ameristar. Usually I end up with one of these unknowns after having a failure on the road. I have heard good things about Maxxis but no personal experience.
Many on Airforums are changing to 16" and claiming better luck
How is the Sam's club pricing?. My experience has been I can do better at the local tire shop
 
Even Michlein is having problems with 16 inch in the 225X16 range - - they are recalling tires manufactured from January 2010 to June 2011about 1 and a half years worth of production in the load range "E" weight
 
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I have a Greenball tire, I call it my "Gumball" tire. I only bought it because I was headed out on vacation, a good ways from home, and had a blow out. The gumball was all they had, and I didn't want to go farther into the sticks with no spare at all. I found out later that Greenball doesn't make tires, they import from whoever is cheapest today. Made it back from that trip without needing that tire, so it has only been a spare (since replaced). I've been running Maxxis tires and had good luck with them, but they aren't perfect either. I now carry two spares, and have been buying two new tires every other year so mine don't get too old. I want to change to 16" LT tires, but I don't have room between the top of the tire and the trailer - I'm already at the minimum at that point. I have plenty of room between the tires. I need to put a 1/2" block between the springs and spring seats, or some other way to get an extra 1/2" (ideas, anybody?).
 
I need to replace the Goodyear Marothon's on my 3 axle TH but not sure what to go with. Seems that all trailer tire MFG's have some sort of trouble.
 
If you live in an area of the Country that is serviced by Discount Tire then, they are "pushing" the "New Design" of the Carlisle trailer tires. As I recall, Carlisle's, at one time, were probably one of the worst tires available for trailers. All the Discount Tire Stores in the Phoenix area "Insist" that the "new design" is far superior to the old design's. The story is, that Discount dropped the brand after having to replace so many trailer tires a number of years ago. Lately, in response to being dropped, they changed the design & brought over samples to Discount for testing. They went thru a number of design tests which, did not meet the Discount standards & Carlisle kept changing until Discount liked what they sent to them. Now, the new Carlisle's are what they are recommending. They are especially able to handle extreme heat, according to Discount.
I've, also, heard good things about the Maxxis brand. They are considerably more expensive than the Carlisle's. I don't think that the Discount stores even carry the Maxxis "in stock". They do carry the Carlisle's.

My comments are not an endorsement of the new Carlisle's, just what I've been hearing. I always ask the salesperson at the Discount stores "what would you put on your Mom & Dad's trailer?" if they needed new tires. They ALL have told me they would install the new Carlisle's. They either have no conscience or really believe that the new Carlisle's are "the answer". I'm still worried about putting Carlisle's on my trailer but, will have to make a decision, soon. One thing in favor of the Carlisle's is their availability. All the Discounts have them. I don't think that any of the Discounts carry the Maxxis, in stock. If you need one, today, you may have a problem with the Maxxis. I've talked to a number of people that have the Carlisle's on their trailers & no one had a complaint. However, they have not been on the street for very long, either. Time will tell the real story, here.
As I recall, the Carlisle's in the 225/75/15-E size were about $112/tire & the Maxxis were about $157/tire. Those prices are from memory awhile ago, so, I may be wrong. I just remember that the Carlisle's were considerably less expensive.

Joe F.
 
My tire guy (OK Tire) told me the new Carlisle's are supposed to be improved. However, he still carries Maxxis and I paid about $600 for a set of 4 in 225-75-15 E. The D rated tires are considerably cheaper. Whatever you get, make sure the date codes are fresh. Too many stores sell old stock.
 
trailertiresandwheels.com is a great source for tires and wheels. Bought my Alcoa's and 17.5" GY H tires from them. Very fresh date codes.
 
I'm reviewing tires also for my trailer, I have not found a slam dunk situation. I do have MAXXIS 8008 225/75R15 LRE on right now, installed early 2010. They have done fine actually but I'm afraid that I've read way too many tire failure threads and my comfort level with the 15's is shaky at best. I'm looking at going to 16's with either Michelin 225/75R16 or 245/75R16 both LRE's.

the MAXXIS are rated at 2830 lbs ea for 11320 lbs for 4 and my GVWR is 10,300 with 7700 lbs on the TT axles with a WD hitch hooked up and the TT was empty at the time. The 245 Michelins are 3042 lbs ea for 12186.

Research is ongoing. No decision made. Also if you're serious about your trailer tires, look at a TPMS also for them. I'm running Dill.

If you're looking for replacement wheels consider Hi Spec. http://www.hispecwheel.com/
 
Here is another tire to consider. Continental Vanco 2 in 225/70r/15c. I have installed these on my sig trailer, which has a max weight of 7000 lbs. They look good and from what I have researched, should do the job without having to go to 16" wheels. They are a commercial D rated tire with a max. load of 2470 lbs. @ 65 psi.
 
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