What brand of trailer tires?

[tractoman]

I have searched the archives and read many posts. I still would like to know what the opinions are of the various brands of trailer tires are. I am not opposed to spending the money for good, or better tires, but I don't want to spend more money for garbage. I would like to buy US made if possible, but I think that'll be tough. I read the Carlisle USA trails were made in the US but that was awhile back. I have Duro bias plys now and they hold air fine. The tread is a little worn but they are old. It is a tandem axle and I'll replace the spare too I guess although the spare is a Caraven trailer tire and is new except it's probably ten years old too. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated? I have F78-14's and I know the current size would be an ST205-75/14. Also, bias or radials?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[hawilson2]

Re: What brand of trailer tires?

I had a lot of trouble with previous bias tires wearing unevenly and very early. I am sure mostly due to being underinflated. This time I bought radial trailer tires, had them balanced, and am now religious about their correct pressure. Its been a year and they still look like new and I pull the boat a lot more than the usual boater. Not sure which of the 3 items, if not some combo, helped with the tire issues I used to have, but that is the course of action I will follow from now on. Good dluck.

 

[dingbat]

Re: What brand of trailer tires?

I'll never mount another bias tire again. I put radials on my tandem trailer 5 years ago. Probably have 25-30K miles on them since. Still look like new. A lot nicer ride for the boat and superior wear as well.

Did the same for the tandem axle horse trailer 4 years ago. They still look like new and the horses certainly have not complained.

Some (bias owners) will argue radials sway too much. Doubt you?ll find anyone running radials that will agree.

 

[q5ka]

Re: What brand of trailer tires?

Radial vs bias could be a choice in how much you use your trailer. Guys that travel many miles year after year seem to like radial. I travel very few miles each year so I like bias. Here is an ok ehow talking about the two and pros and cons for each. http://www.ehow.com/about_5329987_radial-vs-bias-trailer-tire.html

 

[JimMH]

Re: What brand of trailer tires?

My boat is a tandem and I have Goodyear Marathon's. I have a fairly heavy, all stainless steel, 6 hole dog trailer with Maxxis radials. Both are very good tires and are not wearing excessively. The GoodYears are 14inch and the Maxxis are 15's.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: What brand of trailer tires?

Carlisle tires seem to hold up the longest but are probably one of the most expensive. I run what ever I find cheap on trailers that I use only locally with a slight brand preference towards Carlisle. I've had issues with a few sets of Good Year Marathon tires in the past so I stay away from those these days.
The advantage to radial tires is that they produce less drag and wear longer, the advantage to bias ply tires is that they are cheap, and they have stiffer sidewalls which can be a plus on rough terrain or over sharp rocks or clam shell roads.

 

[capt sam]

Re: What brand of trailer tires?

Carlisles have a pretty bad rap down here but so do most brands including Goodyear Marathons. Denman radials are prolly the most liked here, although I firmly believe most trailer tires issues are due to under inflation, I always run mine at max inflation.

 

[Randybeall]

Re: What brand of trailer tires?

Good string here, tires are a complex issue. First question must be how are you going to use them. My lake house is 1/2 mile from the water. I will be back and forth 50 times before I bring the boat back to the shop at home for service which is 90 miles. I buy radial trailer rated tires. I mount and balance tires on performance cars at work, although I am a technician. Trailer tires are a different animal. Every brand will good tires and bad tires, kind of like a Monday morning built car versus a Tuesday built car, workers are variable. Goodyears, Carslile, all the mentioned brands are good. If you never make a long enough drive to warm up the tires then bias plys are ok, good even. If you have a high dollar boat, drive fast, loaded, and long distance, get the premium radial tire.
Always have tires balanced, not only does it contribute to the life of the tire, but it will not do your boat any good to be hammered on your trailer while you drive. It is a very different type of shake than just bouncing over rough water. Even the life span of tail light bulbs will be extended. LOL. but true.

 

[cribber]

Re: What brand of trailer tires?

Both my utility and boat trailers came with 14" Goodyear Marathons that have held up well to the Florida sunshine. The tires on the utility trailer are four years old and the boat are two. I regularly check the tire pressure on both when I do the other vehicles since I already have the compressor out.

 

[tractoman]

Re: What brand of trailer tires?

It is about 40 miles to the nearest lake, and it is mostly freeway speeds. There may be some longer trips to camping locations too. I am leaning towards radials, but I am concerned that they tend to sway a little more than bais plys, or atleast that is what I have read. I am all for a cooler running tire and I will always keep them at max pressure.

 

[642mx]

Re: What brand of trailer tires?

Personally, I think Goodyear Marathons are crap... and Carlisle's aren't far behind them.

Nothing holds up as well as a Maxxis radial. No sway, no blow outs, no issues.

 

[JimMH]

Re: What brand of trailer tires?

I haven't had to replace the Goodyears on my boat trailer but I haven't noticed any sway on my tandem axel boat trailer. I pull the Dog trailer long distances to field trial events and the Maxxis do not sway either. I haven't had any issues with excessive wear on either brand. I have never run the Carlise Duro tire. The local dealers here sell Maxxis primarily.

 

[dingbat]

Re: What brand of trailer tires?

Sure, bias tires technically sway less but when you quantify the movement it becomes a moot point. I?ve run radials on two tandem trailers and have never felt that radial tires did anything but improve the trailers handling characteristics.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: What brand of trailer tires?

Almost all trailer tires anymore are Chinese in manufacture (including Goodyear). Most of them are junk. I'm now running Maxxis radials (yes I know Taiwanese) after having nothing but hell with Carlisle and Duro. I'm very happy with the stability and wear so far. Loaded up I'm towing 6200 lbs.

 

[oldcoot57]

Re: What brand of trailer tires?

I just replaced my bias tires with radials. The bias were cupped out and wore unevenly even though they were ballanced and held at the maximum recommended pressure. i can tell the drag is less even by moving the boat and trailer manually in the garage. It just rolls easier. I pull the boat around 1500 miles a year mostly in 60 mile round trips. My size is ST175/80R13. The brand is Triangle for $62 apiece. Hope they last a while.

 

[golf101]

Re: What brand of trailer tires?

I had new Carlisle bias tires on a trailer I got last year and three of the four tires blew within the first 1000 miles. I will never buy another Carlisle tire. Have Goodyear radials all the way around now with no issues.