• From: Santa Rosa, CA
  • Registered: 2010-01-08
  • Posts: 538

Topic: Trailer Tires???

I need new tires on my car trailer. It came 205/70-15 car tires when I bought it. Since two failed on the way to Thunderhill, I am in the market for some new tires, Since it is an all steel solid deck trailer & we would never overload it, I am thinking some Load range E tires are needed. What does this community recommend?

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  • From: Shippensburg, PA
  • Registered: 2010-11-18
  • Posts: 1,963

Re: Trailer Tires???

I'd suggest 8 ply trailer tires.

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  • zadar
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  • Registered: 2014-06-14
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Re: Trailer Tires???

LT E load.

  • From: Portlandia
  • Registered: 2014-08-08
  • Posts: 1,035

Re: Trailer Tires???

I run Maxxis M8008 10 ply, 8 ply spare.

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  • Dave
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  • From: PGH PA
  • Registered: 2009-10-09
  • Posts: 993

Re: Trailer Tires???

If there is a "P" on the sidewall, it stands for "passenger car." This refers to the U.S. (P-metric) method of tire sizing. "LT" stands for Light Truck, "ST" is for Special Trailer and "T" stands for Temporary, which is primarily used for small spare tires.

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  • From: Life's great in 21158
  • Registered: 2009-05-01
  • Posts: 3,361

Re: Trailer Tires???

trailer tires, only trailer tires.  Radials if you can swing the coin.  Don't mix radials and bias plies on the same axle.  get the highest load rating you can.  Run the max PSI on the sidewall.

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  • From: Seattle-ish
  • Registered: 2011-06-16
  • Posts: 654

Re: Trailer Tires???

After my first set nearly stranded us on the pass when we went over the mountains to pick up our current heap, er, car, I replaced all four with Kenda Loadstar load range D tires.  So far I'm pretty happy with them.  Trailer is a 27' enclosed rated for 10K gross.

I think on the first set, it was either A) they were junk, which is entirely possible, or B) when I first started towing I was probably pushing them a little too much (driving 75 MPH) and I think they got too hot and the rubber broke down.  There was cord visible in patches on 2 or 3 of them where chunk of rubber had come off.

Now I drive at 60 MPH max and that's it.  And +1 on checking the pressures often and keeping them at the max listed on the sidewall.

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  • Registered: 2014-04-10
  • Posts: 38

Re: Trailer Tires???

What mechimike & Mike said.  Always run the pressure noted on the sidewall.  You can expect no more then 5 years of service from them even if only used a few times a year.  I've run Goodyear, Carlisle & other brands with no noticeable differences in wear or performance.

ST tires only and Yes on the Radials if at all possible.

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9 Reply by mechimike (edited by mechimike 2015-09-15 07:51 AM)

  • From: Life's great in 21158
  • Registered: 2009-05-01
  • Posts: 3,361

Re: Trailer Tires???

What Mike said with regard to speed.  I keep my speed at about 65 mph max when towing.  Those tires get hot, which degrades life.  I can't seem to get 7 years out of any tires nowadays, let alone trailer tires.  I have been staggering them, replacing one a year or so (including the spare), so I'm not hit with a $600 bill all at once.

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'22 - current: 1967 Volvo 122, "Charlie ]["

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  • From: Concord, NC
  • Registered: 2013-09-22
  • Posts: 204

Re: Trailer Tires???

I just replaced mine with radial trailer tires.

Talking to the service guy at a very large trailer place that does all sorts of race trailers from open to full size nascar haulers, he commented that you really cant get past 5 years service with the tires due to the heat cycling they experience at speed when towing.

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  • From: Pepperell MA
  • Registered: 2009-12-06
  • Posts: 536

Re: Trailer Tires???

CPT_Trans_Continental wrote:

I run Maxxis M8008 10 ply, 8 ply spare.

I run these too.  Even overloaded I've not had issues with them.  Only time I have problems is when I run over a nail and have to get the tire plugged.  I'll probably buy another set when these wear out or give up.

Nick

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  • From: Milford, NJ
  • Registered: 2012-07-03
  • Posts: 699

Re: Trailer Tires???

I;ve had good luck with runway super ST.

i mean, they say super right on them

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13 Reply by MikeZilla (edited by MikeZilla 2015-09-17 09:40 AM)

  • From: Santa Rosa, CA
  • Registered: 2010-01-08
  • Posts: 538

Re: Trailer Tires???

Thanks for the input. In doing some research,  I will probably just get them from Tire Rack. They have Goodyear & Power King.  They have the same tread & are both made in China, I am sure they are made in the same facility as are probably 90% of all of the trailer tires out there.  I was  hoping for some insight into which tire out there was really the best. Since the car tires have lasted the  4 years I have had the trailer, any trailer tire has to be better,  especially if I have to replace them in 5 years anyway. The Power King is available in Load range E, so I will probably get that one.

Tired Iron Racing, Class A Winner of 2023 Days of Thunder & the Hooptie-Con Engine heat Cooking Competition, otherwise just a 50x loser, which is somehow able to finish in the top ten, if we don't step on our own dicks.
  • From: Urbana, IL
  • Registered: 2010-11-07
  • Posts: 898

Re: Trailer Tires???

I like E Trailer and Kenda Karriers.

For D tires get radial Karrier ST205/75R15

For E tires get Karrier ST225/75R15 (if the wider tire will fit)

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  • From: Mankato, MN
  • Registered: 2015-03-20
  • Posts: 354

Re: Trailer Tires???

MikeZilla wrote:

Thanks for the input. In doing some research,  I will probably just get them from Tire Rack. They have Goodyear & Power King.  They have the same tread & are both made in China, I am sure they are made in the same facility as are probably 90% of all of the trailer tires out there.  I was  hoping for some insight into which tire out there was really the best. Since the car tires have lasted the  4 years I have had the trailer, any trailer tire has to be better,  especially if I have to replace them in 5 years anyway. The Power King is available in Load range E, so I will probably get that one.

I run power kings on my 18' open trailer, like them, never had issues, been on the trailer for 3ish years still look brand new, helps the probably only get 200-500 miles a year, lol

  • From: Hayward, CA
  • Registered: 2010-03-23
  • Posts: 1,762

Re: Trailer Tires???

I've ripped through 3 original tires on my 7K 20' enclosed trailer. They were all load range C. I'm moving up to 8 ply LR D. ST205/70R15.

But I'm also going to do some looking at the sheet metal near the rear set of tires. Its seems I keep killing those. So, I'm either always overloaded to the rear, or maybe those get more up and down and are hitting the trailer? Anyway things to check before the haul to MILLER!

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