|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 13,234
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 13,234 |
Need a tire brand recommendation.
Just put some money down to hold a small camping trailer at a local RV dealer: 3 years old, well-cared for by an Airborne vet (left a sticker by the door).
Single axle, 205/75/14 tires. I believe they are original equipment but I don't remember the brand. Listed GAWR for the axle is 2900 lbs.
Tread is good and even, but the sales guy told me the owner had stored it there for a while (not sure how long) before selling it to them. I can't assume anyone moved the trailer or jacked it up while it was in storage, outside. Tire covers in storage; unknown. There were none when I looked at it.
If I have any doubts about these tires when I start pulling, I'm going to replace them pretty darn quick.
What brands do folks like for this size camping trailer?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,216
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,216 |
I typically just take the trailers down to the local les schwab and have them back the bearings and replace the tires with whatever brand they carry in house. Haven't had any issues yet, knock on wood.
Regards,
Tom
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,325
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,325 |
The last time I bought some I went with radials instead of bias. They lasted at least 50% longer.
βIn a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.β β George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,180
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,180 |
My experience is the tires will rot before they wear out. Hard to put enough miles on a camper trailer, i.e. popup.
If you take the time it takes, it takes less time. --Pat Parelli
American by birth; Alaskan by choice. --ironbender
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,278
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,278 |
My experience is the tires will rot before they wear out. Hard to put enough miles on a camper trailer, i.e. popup.
They will rot just standing there and some say they last longer when driven more. Any tires over 5-6 years are likely unreliable, even premium Michelins, when used or stored on a trailer, unless kept out of the sunlight (which is brutal here in the desert Southwest.) Depending on where you are, Walmart has a great selection in all price ranges and quality, even online. For years I wouldn't shop there, but since moving to New Mexico, I have found many great items in the local stores, and to my surprise, while the customers often leave something to be desired, the staff tends to be super polite and helpful. Norm
Last edited by Anjin; 05/28/18.
Norman Solberg International lawyer, lately for 25 years in Japan, now working on trusts in the US, the 3rd greatest tax haven. NRA Life Member for over 50 years, NRA Endowment (2014), Patron (2016).
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 13,234
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 13,234 |
Some good ideas here, thanks.
I hadn't given Walmart and Costco a thought before, but I definitely will, now.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 114
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 114 |
My TT has that same size tire. I just bought 5 (spare also) of the Goodyear Endurance for it and they have been great so far. They cost more than the others, but they are built much stronger too. Most places can order them and install them. These are the only trailer tires that I could find made in the US for this size.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,278
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,278 |
Some good ideas here, thanks.
I hadn't given Walmart and Costco a thought before, but I definitely will, now.
Checking online, I noticed that the same modest priced tires were available at both Walmart and Costco. I chose a different one from Walmart, very good deal, and my five tires for a tandem trailer plus spare should be delivered to my rural Walmart in Edgewood by today, for installation there. That way I can avoid driving the trailer into Albuquerque. I chose the ST205/75R15 8-Ply Trailer King II ST Radial Tires, for only $43.87 each, plus installation. Reviews are good (4.7 of 5), though I do not know if 8-ply rating for a radial actually means 8 ply. It should be fine for my needs. I read somewhere that ALL ST rated tires are specified at 65 mph tops. Norm
Norman Solberg International lawyer, lately for 25 years in Japan, now working on trusts in the US, the 3rd greatest tax haven. NRA Life Member for over 50 years, NRA Endowment (2014), Patron (2016).
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,010
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,010 |
HOPE THIS HELPS
Trailer, or "ST", tires are considered a special category in the current global design standards of Tire and Rim. The major difference is that trailer tires are required to carry 10% more load than an equivalent P-metric size tire.
LT type tires are actually on a lower formula and would require a significant size or load change to meet the trailer load requirements.
In the design process, we evaluate what works best under trailer applications/conditions. We typically find that a narrower tread width and a shallower non-skid (tread depth) provides a better overall performance in a free rolling position. This is one case where wider is not better.
There are significant design differences with these tires and this explains why trailer tires are in a special category. In addition, that is why we recommend using trailer designed or trailer specific tires in trailer towable applications.
Sincerely,
Steve McKay Consumer Relations Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
TRAILER-TIRE CONSTRUCTION Commonly encountered tires are P (passenger car), LT (light truck) and ST (special trailer). While each tire series shares basic construction methods, such as bias or radial belts, a bead, tread plies and so on, the details vary meaningfully among the three. Considerations in designing tires used on trailers include the need to carry heavy loads, the relative lack of cornering loads, long duty cycles (the tires can be expected to sit for a year; then rotate for days on end during long trips). Furthermore, because the design of most trailer suspensions dates back many decades, ST tires are designed for as soft a ride as possible so they don't transmit too much shock to the trailer and its contents. Trailer-tire sidewall stiffness is a compromise between P and LT designs. The desire for stiffer sidewalls is still occasionally cited as the reason for choosing a bias-belted trailer tire. While passenger-car tires are nearly all radials these days, ST tires are still available in bias-belted construction. Radial trailer tires are superior in all respects to bias-belted tires except in sidewall stiffness. Reduced tire heat, lower rolling resistance and softer ride are among the benefits of radials, not to mention extended wear. On the road, ST tires share some characteristics of passenger-car tires, but are closer to the design of light-truck tires. Trailer tires typically employ heavier steel or poly-ester cords and somewhat lighter sidewall construction than light-truck TRAILER-TIRE SAFETY continued tires, and trailer tires typically run lower air pressures than their truck counterparts. This gives ST tires good load-carrying capacity; but with the desired softer ride. ST tires also have the advantage of rubber compounds that are specifically designed to resist deterioration from the elements, including sunlight and ozone, during extended storage.
for comparison ST 225 x 75R 8PR load cap 2540 psi 65 OD 28.3 SW 8.9 tread 9/32
LT225 x 75R x 15 8PR load 2205 psi 65 OD 28.4 SW 9.1 tread 17/32
even if the LT tire was a 10 ply IT still wouldn't have the load carrying capicity of the ST
When the tailgate drops the BS stops.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,202
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,202 |
Goodyear endurance (not marathon). ST tires, not p metric or lt.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,796
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,796 |
Continental, Hankook, maxxxis, and other make a 195r14 that I think is about the same height. Itβs a commercial van tire, equivalent to an LT, load range D. Just last night I was looking them up, they are used on vanagons, and commonly on trailers in Europe and Australia. But in the US the tire shop will tell you itβs dangerous and they will recommend a China bomb instead.
Iβm convinced ST tires are rated differently. And I donβt think itβs because they are actually stronger than an LT. They rate them 10% higher than they would the exact same tire if it was an LT. An LT is absolutely rated and legal for use with trailers. An LT is rated to safely carry people, they can be used on drive and steer axles, and they can be run faster than 65mph. Not so with an ST, no wonder they can make them in China and still rate them for a higher load.
The whole sidewalk stiffness issue that supposedly makes ST radials safer baffles me. Seriously if it was an issue you woulld see better performance with bias ply tires instead of radials on trailers. And I donβt hear about a lot of blowouts with LT on heavy loaded pickups or trailers, but sure do with trailer tire on trailers.
Sean
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,796
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,796 |
Maxxis 8008 st tires 205/75r14 Load range C 1760#, 26.1β tall Load range D 2040# 26.1β tall
Hankook 195r14 Load range D 2094# 26.3βtall
Sean
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,111
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,111 |
I put goodyear radial marathons on my jon boat the last time. They have held up well. Another thing, get them balanced. It will keep them from wearing funny. I know that sounds dumb to balance a trailer tire but it will keep them from cupping and help them last longer
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,959
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,959 |
https://yourfulltimervliving.com/rv...uld-you-replace-tires-on-your-rv-trailerHave read this before after 3 years 1/3 of the life of tire is gone most recommend replacing them in 3 -5 years. Kind of my rule on our lousy Alaska roads esp. on single axle trailers.
kk alaska
Alaska 7 months of winter then 5 months of tourists
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,202
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,202 |
One thing to add...I believe that the new Goodyear endurance have a higher speed rating, higher pressure rating, and higher load rating than the equivalent sized China ST's. Most folks don't keep it at 65 mph or below. Trust me, the money you save on second rate tires is way less than the damage, inconvenience, and potential danger from a single blowout. Especially on a single axle trailer.
|
|
|
|
532 members (1beaver_shooter, 1Longbow, 1lessdog, 10gaugemag, 007FJ, 17CalFan, 68 invisible),
2,515
guests, and
1,341
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,191,447
Posts18,470,977
Members73,934
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|