Recommendation for new tires

[Jcris]

I'm embarrassed to say but the tires on my trailer are probably 20 years old. Geez! The previous owner rarely trailered the boat so saw no need to replace. From what I read it seems tires should be replaced not so much as they show wear but apparently the rubber becomes oxidized and that creates issues. OK, so what are you guy's running? My boat weighs about 2400 lb's loaded . It's an I/O that has 215/75/D14 tires and is single axle.Suggestions please
Jcris

 

[alldodge]

If you plan to keep the boat for less then 10 years, buy any of the major brands of same size. If your going to keep it longer, I would suggest old school bias ply (non-radials). Good year workhorse

 

[R055]

I recommend maxxis trailer tires. Best trailer tires avaliable, just check all the 5th wheel rv forums.

 

[poconojoe]

My rig is about 3,000 pounds. I replaced mine with radials last year. It was a HUGE difference from the bias tires. The boat seems more stable, smooth, quiet and doesn't bounce as much. I will never go back to bias. Just my two cents.

 

[98Shabah]

I recently replaced the tires on my boat trailer, same size as what you're looking for. I looked all over and found mediocre reviews of pretty much every trailer tire brand, and all of the ones i looked at, even the major brands, were made in China. I ended up buying them from Wally world with the road hazard warranty, I just looked for the highest speed rated tire they had, it's some off brand (Contender). They're really good looking and well constructed tires, at least compared to the 9 year old Chinese GoodYear Marathons that they replaced.

 

[Jcris]

I've been reading about trailer tires and GEEZ, what a can of worms. Like you poconojoe my boat and trailer fully loaded is about 3000 lb's. I don't typically tow long distances but want the option. I don't want a particularly bouncy tire and do want something that tracks well. My existing tires are way to old and are bias ply. The tread shows minimal wear but the sidewalls have rather deep scratches and so I'm trying to make an informed choice.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I researched tires a few years ago and was overwhelmed by the lack of consensus and the absence of any good consumer ratings for trailer tires. It seems like you're really stuck with getting anecdotal reports about tires that individuals liked or didn't like. The one brand about which I don't recall reading anything bad were Maxxis, but they were (at that time) pretty pricy compared to other brands.

My anecdotal report: I bought Kenda Karrier radial tires and I have put about 4000-5000 miles a year on them for the last three years. My trailer is a rather heavily loaded single axle model and I really can tell a difference with radial tires. (Previous tires bias ply.) The boat seems to pull more smoothly and tracks better, too. The Kendas have held up well. Much of the time, my boat is in the garage, so the tires are protected from UV light, which seems to be pretty important in extending the life of the tires.

 

[Jcris]

I could not agree more. And I do appreciate the "report". I'm leaning toward radials and will take a look at the Kenda's.
Thanks
FWIW I've heard good and bad about Maxxis as well
Not to complicate things but I would prefer a tire that is actually made in the USA. Which after taking a quick look seems like very wishful thinking. Come on Trump, I thought you were going to make America great again. Oops, sorry about that. Couldn't resist
Maxxis 8008's and Kumho 857seem popular

 

[bruceb58]

I have a set of Maxxis on my trailer now Will see if they are nay better. They were made in Thailand.

The new GoodYear Endurance tire is made in the US

https://corporate.goodyear.com/en-U...nches_american_manufactured_trailer_tire.html

 

[Jcris]

Now that Goodyear Endurance is an interesting option. Actually made in the USA and available in 215/75/14

 

[Blind Date]

I recommend maxxis trailer tires. Best trailer tires avaliable, just check all the 5th wheel rv forums.

That's what I put under the trailer of my SeaRay after lots of research. I'll only run radials on my trailers with 14" wheels or bigger.

 

[Sprig]

I doubt there's really much difference between the different brands of trailer tires. I think you are over thinking this, you are making something simple complex. Just take your boat trailer to a trusted tire shop and tell them you want a quality set of radial trailer tires. Take their expert advice and have them mount a new set of tires on your trailer. It's that simple.
If your trailer tires are 20 years old no matter what they look like they need to be replaced asap. I wouldn't drive that boat anywhere but straight to a tire shop. Just get a new set of tires and go boating.

 

[bruceb58]

I doubt there's really much difference between the different brands of trailer tires.

You may want to believe that but reality is completely different.

Tire shops have no idea what a good trailer tires is since the majority of the people that work there don't even own a trailer.

 

[Lou C]

I could not agree more. And I do appreciate the "report". I'm leaning toward radials and will take a look at the Kenda's.
Thanks
FWIW I've heard good and bad about Maxxis as well
Not to complicate things but I would prefer a tire that is actually made in the USA. Which after taking a quick look seems like very wishful thinking. Come on Trump, I thought you were going to make America great again. Oops, sorry about that. Couldn't resist
Maxxis 8008's and Kumho 857seem popular

Well it appears that the tire companies feel that people who buy trailer tires, are too cheap to buy made in USA ones. What does everyone here say, would you be willing to pay a lot more to get made in USA tires? It has nothing to do with Trump, it has to do with our standard of living, that can't compete wage wise with that combination of communism and capitalism that is modern China. I for one would pay more, a lot more for a made in USA tire, but a lot of people who moan and groan vote with their wallets.

 

[Jcris]

Valid points, Lou, Bruce and Sprig,
I've begun to narrow the search/ Maxxis 8008 and Goodyear Endurance are looking good so far

 

[R055]

Valid points, Lou, Bruce and Sprig,
I've begun to narrow the search/ Maxxis 8008 and Goodyear Endurance are looking good so far

The maxxis 8008 have been around for quite a while and everybody loves them. The goodyear endurance seem to have good first impressions but they're new and no longer term reviews about then yet.

 

[Jcris]

RO55,
No reviews and "new" are a concern .And the Goodyears are $110 each shipped

 

[Sprig]

Not trying to argue with you bruceb58 but I really do not believe that there are major differences in the brands. Yes probably the cheapest trailer tire you can find is inferior to other tires but that's about it. Most people don't know anything about different brands other than what they have heard from other people, in other words hear say. I doubt anyone here could tell me the difference between tire brand A, B, or C. Couldn't tell me the difference in rubber compounds, tread design or anything else. Specifically what makes one brand better and superior than the other appears vague. Most people don't even know what brand they have on their trailers. Selection of a brand is based on personal experience, other people's experience and (biased) opinions and not technical brand analysis.
As far as knowledge tire dealers it depends on who you go to. I've been going to the same place for almost 20 years, I know the owner/manager. Very knowledgeable people there. He was a wealth of knowledge, told me everything I'd ever want to know about trailer tires. He put me into a set of moderately priced trailer tires last year. Not the cheapest and not the most expensive. I'm happy with the tires and happy with the expert information and advice he gave me.

 

[bruceb58]

The problem really is many of the manufacturers switching to have their tires made in China. I had used a certain manufacture of tires and had great success until that brand switched to making them in China. I had 2 blowouts within 100 miles of each other on tires that were only 3 years old.

BTW, noting wrong with hearsay. If you don't believe anything that is hearsay, you need to get off internet forums for your advice.

 

[Jcris]

I've tried to respond here and after a couple scratched attempts I'll just say this, I'm buying the Maxxis