Just curious to hear your source on the life span of trailer tires. At the moment your statement is just an opinion. One that I don't subscribe to..... I believe there are too many variables to put hard numbers on a timeframe....
As far as wheel protectant, keep the sun and weather off them. That's the best way.... If you can, take them off, block up the trailer and store them in your garage over winter....
Rather than my generalization I should have been more specific since my comments were directed at radial tires.
Personally I have never used ST radials. All my trailers have used either bias ply tires or LT tires with the proper load range. And of course, garage kept ALL of the time (except parked at the launch ramp), full spec pressure, etc. I really had no opinion until I witnessed severe tire failures at 3 years old (based on the tire mfg code), TWICE. Both garage kept, correct pressure, yada, yada. That concerned me enough to read up on the subject. Lots of talk on this forum and Travel trailer forums that would confirm the short service life.
As one example, the following exerpt is from the Carlisle Trailer Tire website:
Replacement of Trailer Tires
Trailer tires can be worn beyond use although they may appear to
have adequate tread. This is because trailer tires support a lot of
weight, even when not in use. It is actually better for a tire to be rolling
down the road than to sit in storage, exposed to static weight and UV
exposure. During use a tire releases compound lubricants that are
beneficial to tire life. Using tires also assists in preventing flat spots
from developing.
If one tire fails, the remaining tires will be required to suddenly
compensate by supporting the increased load. This increase of weight
may overload the other tires causing a chain reaction blowout or other
internal structural damage. After a blowout, check the other tires for
damage and replace all tires on the side of the blowout.
Best Practices
? Any tire, no matter how well constructed, may fail when in use
because of punctures, impact damage, improper inflation,
overloading, or other conditions resulting from use, misuse
or neglect.
? High speed towing in hot conditions degrades tires significantly.
? Best practice. Do not exceed 60 mph while towing a trailer.
? Most ST trailer tires have a maximum speed rating of 65 mph.
? Load carrying capacity decreases as heat and stress generated by
higher speed increases.
? Time and the elements weaken a trailer tire.
? 3 to 5 years is the average life expectancy of a trailer tire,
regardless of mileage.
? It is estimated that in approximately three years, roughly
one-third of a tire's strength is gone.
? After three years, depending upon storage and conditions of
usage, consider replacing trailer tires even if they have tread
depth remaining.
? After five years, trailer tires should be replaced in all cases.
