trailer tires

[vc]

So I was looking at trailer tires and wanted to know if anyone has experience with both radial and bias ply tires on the same trailer. Did you notice any benefits by going to the radial that was worthwhile - any pros and cons?

Thanks.

vc



p. s. this is for a boat trailer if it makes any difference, size 225 75 15 with 6 lugs.

 

[Bluhaven]

I went with the carilyle 800x14 1\2, load range F radials. Have always had the bias ply tires in the past. They look just like a bias ply tire, tread looks pretty flat like the bias ply. So far, so good.

 

[keimmmo]

I have run light truck radials on travel trailers for years. Absolutely NO problems! A dealer LEGALLY has to put trailer tires on any trailer he sells, but you as a trailer owner can use anything you want... at least in Illinois.



I have had a chance to go from bias tires to radials on a couple of trailers over the years. They actually pulled BETTER! They felt more stable and definitely rode better! Just watch your load ratings... make sure the tires you put on your trailer are up to the job!



Steve

 

[bombero]

Anyone who is running bias ply tires on anything probably has a 8 track tape in their CTD

 

[Motorhead]

Obviously radials are going to run smoother but I feel that bias plys have less sway in them.

 

[keimmmo]

One of the trailers I had several years ago was a single axle travel trailer. I did not use an equalizer hitch with it. I too was concerned about the stability when I went from bias to radial tires. Turned out that when I watched it in my mirrors, I think it probably moved back and forth a little more when a semi passed me on the Interstate, but I felt it LESS in the tow vehicle!



Not many years ago I went from the factory bias tires to light truck radials on my 35 ft pull type travel trailer. Actually IMPROVED the stability... not to mention the ride.



I suppose bias tires have their place... like on farm implements. But personally I wouldn't want them on anything I run at highway speeds.



Steve

 

[kluther]

i have radial tires on a 5ver toybox that has the axles flipped to accomodate the hight of the truck . trailer is now 12 1/2 feet tall . my question if i changed the tires to a 10 ply radial rated for 75 psi will it pull better ,easier with better fuel economy,less sway?

 

[Fireman Dave]

On my trip east in August, I had 2 radials go bad. I ended up with the spare (radial) and a bias on the trailer to get home - since I couldn't find a same size radial on the road (warranty job). So I ran about 900 miles on 3 radials and 1 bias. The biggest difference I noticed was how much cooler the radials were running. I have all radials on there once again. I know one fellow member who swears by his bias tires, though. I started a thread a few weeks ago about this (radial vs bias), but had very few responses.

 

[vc]

Fireman Dave,

when you say you noticed how much cooler they ran, can you take a guess at how much difference? I realize you didn't have a guage on them but, so if you want to use comment like a little cooler; lot cooler ; etc.

Thanks.

vc

 

[keimmmo]

Kluther,



Since you already have radials, I wouldn't look for a huge difference by changing to different radials. What you propose should improve stability but will hurt your ride.



For the rest of you, I have heard other friends talk about running a mix of radials and bias plys on a trailer. They commented too about the difference in running temperature. They talked like the bias tires were about double the temperature gauging by touch. Not a very reliable method, but the point is there is quite a difference!



Again, I have run both over the years. I would certainly go out of my way to run radials on any trailer!!!



Steve

 

[Fireman Dave]

Man, vc - now I'm on the spot! I wouldn't say twice as hot, but quite a bit hotter - easily noticeable. Heat is the enemy of the tire, so it seems like the radials would have an advantage that way. But bias tires work well for some guys, so I don't really know how significant the temp is.