Best Trailer Tires?

[pinehill]

I'm now ready to replace the tires which came on my trailer, and I'd like recommendations from the group.

Existing 4 tires are Goodyear Marathon ST225/75R15, load range D, 6 ply (2 poly, 2 nylon, 2 steel), load capacity 2540 lb @ 65 lb inflation. I know I'd be better off with 16 inchers, but I'm not ready to make that change now. Trailer, loaded, is at 9,600 lb, with 1,100 lb tongue weight, so tire loading is about 2,125 lb each.

[wangotango]

As long as load capacity meets or exceeds requirements you should be fine with any tire you want.

Standard trailer tire theory still stands true:
do not use radials.

w/t

[SoCalDMAX]

I've had no experience with Marathons, bit I've heard of a lot of problems with Carlisle tires separating the tread and blowing out. I've personally had 3 of them shred on me in just a few months.

I may be close to the capacity, and I may be speeding a little, but IMHO, they aren't worth buying. I switched to Denman tires in a load range E, so far so good at about $70 ea.

Regards, Steve

[FirstDiesel]

I had Carlisle's on my 14' open car trailer. Not much weight total and 4 tires to tow it. Tires wore out like crazy.

Why no radials on a trailer though??

[Maverick]

I would use any radial that meets your specs. you shouldn't have a peoblem. I ran radials on everything I ever had. My 24 ft GN FB, my 25 ft GN FB, my 24 ft GN Featherlite cattle trailer, my 28 ft Forest River 5th wheel, 3 other Featherlite horse GN trailers, and my 53 ft Take 3 car trailer. Never had a problem.

[TxDoc]

I was told the no radial thing on a 5x13 ATV trailer, single axle. Dealer did not say why. I don't understand that, either. I would rather have the puncture resistance with a radial.

[BobW]

Here's a Cooper radial tire designed for trailers.

http://www.coopertire.com/tire_cooper/ltsuv.asp?id=

[FisHn2DMax]

I've had great experience with the Good Year "Trailer" radials. My last two 5'ers and my new boat trailer all use them OEM. I believe the "Marathon tires" are also made by Good Year.

Since trailers tend to sit for extended periods of time, the standard auto/truck radial is not designed for this. A "Trailer Radial" is wound differently, and is designed to handle the extended period of non-use and pressure on one side of the tire. Standard tires ( non-radial) are also well known for getting out of round after extended periods of sitting.

Why go back to old tire technology! With out question "trailer duty" radials are the way to go! They have a much softer ride, highest load ratings, and have very good tread life!

Good Luck!

;)

[FirstDiesel]

Thanks Maverick

The Marathon is a Goodyear and it is a radial and I do beleive my current trailer has 6 of them. smile.gif
Been so long since I got to go racing I don't even remember. :(

[chipper]

pinehill,
My 5er came with Marathons & I lost the tread on 3 out of the 4 within 12,000 miles. My Goodyear dealer friend tells me they are "junk" & recommended I go to either Goodyear Workhorse or Firestone Steeltex, 10 ply. I opted for the Steeltex for the price & now have about 10,000 trouble free miles on them.

[pinehill]

Chipper,

Are the Goodyear Workhorse and Firestone Steeltex, 10 ply both available as 15" trailer tires?

[chipper]

pinehill,
Not sure as mine are 16" Light Truck [LT]

[ 04-21-2003: Message edited by: chipper ]</p>

[pinehill]

Thanks to all those who responded. I've guess I've got some more research to do.

[Modified]

Trailer Life had a good article maybe six months back about trailer tires. They stressed not to use LT tires, and they also recommended an all steel type of tire that I haven't heard of before. They stressed using a "ST" rated tire, which stood for something like Special Trailer. These tires were designed different than auto or LT tires. I looked for that issue of Trailer Life, but I haven't found it yet. Try the library.

[Ranger354]

I just check my flatbed and the tires on it are made by Cooper and are NOT radials. I didn't want them on my working trailer. This thing gets drug around in the brush and the more tire surface contacting the ground the more thorns contact the tire.
I have cooper Radial trailer tires on my boat trailer and they give it a much smoother ride. I didn't see what type of trailer that you were going to put them on.
My working flat bed hauls my jeep and hunting gear everywhere and pulls like a dream. The radial tires that came with the trailer when new didn't last til the water got hot.
Whatever brand you buy just make sure they are Trailer Tires. The sidewalls are designed different.

[Jomar]

I`ve pulled my 5er at least 100,00 miles with Goodyear 225/75/R15 ST Marathons on it. No problems other than normal wear. 5er`s are not known for having long tire life. My 5er GVW loaded is 10,500 (+ or -). I keep the air pressure close to max also.

[pinehill]

Jomar,

How many miles do you get out of your Marathons?

[burbans2]

Goodyear Marathons ST225/75/R15 come in C + D load range get the "D" load range and air them up to 65psi. The D's are only a few dollars more than the C's.

[Kennedy]

Most every trailer built these dats has radials. If Goodyear makes the G259? in your size, I'd say go for it. I believe they only do these in 235/85/16, but they are 12or14 ply and VERY tough...

I believe that in reality, the ST designation may have more to do with economics than special features. I tire that does not drive or steer or legal on an auto likely faces far less stringent standards. I don't think that there is such a thing as an ST designation 16" tire is there?

[Inspector]

Goodyear has paid alot of money to me to repair my trailer. Twice. Tread seperations and blowouts. The trailer came with workhorse radials from the factory. The first one released the tread without looseing air pressure on the way to the first rendezvous in Montana. Goodyear replaced that tire and repaired my trailer to the tune of 2400 bucks. The next two were lost on the way back from Ohio two years ago. The first tire broke my trailer again and the second couldn't do anymore damage. They were 16.5s. Try and get those puppies when you are on the road. I finally ran out of spares in Russel Kansas and bought 4 new 16 inch wheels at the King Of The Road service center. I went on down the road to Hayes KA to a super Wal-Mart and bought 4 new 16 inch Liberators in E rating. I am told that they are made by Michelen America. At any rate they are a good looking tire with alot of tread and alot less sidewall flex then the Goodyears. I think that is what caused all the problems with the GY tires. The trailer pulls better now. The only complaint that I have now is that the wheels are having a problem. I am replacing them again with solid single piece spun aluminum wheels. They are standard equipment on the new top of the line King of The Road trailers.
Myself I wouldn't put goodyear on a kiddy car.
jmho.
Inspector

[Burner]

Pinehill,

Just a suggestion here. I'm guessing that you do not have "8" lug axels, probably "6" lug...right? Why not find a set of "take-off" rims and tires? You would have a set of Aluminum rims, probably 16 inchers, with matched tires. The only problem that I see is with the rim's width, probably 7" or maybe 6 1/2 and off-set. You will need to check your offset and width.
Just think..... One Ebay 1/2 ton GMC rim set ----&gt; 300.oo One set of "take-offs" via~ Dmax -----&gt; 200.oo = Future tire selection with "heavy" rating, radial, Super Tough, meets all Gov standards (thinking Lawyers here), economical and "YOU CAN GET THEM ANYWHERE" ===== Priceless :D

I had a 20 ft trailer with "Chevy" steel rims and caps that matched my truck. The set-up worked well and looked so good my buddy bought my trailer and then his neighbor saw it and bought it from him. :D


Just a thought..... ;) :D


Burner-----&gt; :D

[ 05-02-2003: Message edited by: Burner ]</p>

[dmaxstu]

I too use those Goodyear Marathon radials on my TT and liked them so much I put them on my boat trailer as well. The boat trailer weighs out at 8000#. There was a recall on the Marathon radials about 3 years ago but the issues whatever they were, were resolved. I've towed my TT as high as 80MPH for hours without any problems.If radial tires are so bad on trailers why have a lot of manufacturers been installing them for years on TT's and 5th wheel trailers. I've got about 20,000 miles on the TT tires. Stu

[Husker Fan]

I've always heard that radial tires bounce more than bias ply. Especially when empty. I don't know if that's true or not.

I have a tandem axle flatbed (5,500 # axles) with Carlisle bias ply "D" (8 Ply) tires on them. I had one blow out when I was pulling about 12,000 #s at 70 MPH. The tire rolled off the rim and ruined the rim. I wasn't happy. I would prefer 10 ply, but the tire guy told me I couldn't get 10 ply on my rims (16"). I haven't had time to see if he was right or not.