Bias vs. radial d-rated tires

superbenk

superbenk

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Oct 27, 2008
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2,033
My existing Duro 13" D-rated bias ply tires are cracking (after only a year! should have covered them) and I'm considering ditching bias ply for radials. I only have a single axle trailer so I'd like the extra load range of the D-rated tires, but I'm finding pretty slim pickings for D-rated 13" tires (bias or radial). Most of my boating is at least 50 miles away so there's a good bit of highway trailering. We also do a couple trips that are several hundred miles away each summer. So I have a couple questions...

1. Am I on the right track thinking a switch to radial tires is smart?

2. Does anyone have any links to good deals on 13" D-rated radials? I'd like to buy 3 or 4 of them (2 plus 1 or 2 spares - I already have all the rims).

3. Anyone ever heard of these and have any opinions on them? http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Tir...t-Radial_Tire-hs-Load_Range_D-pc-13_Inch.aspx
 
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driz

Seaman Apprentice
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Oct 29, 2008
Messages
34
Re: Bias vs. radial d-rated tires

The greater issue you need to watch for is where they are made. Strangely that will be your big decision that will affect how well they last for you. I just tossed a set of goodyears that were 20 years old. Granted they were cracked for the last 7 or so but living near by to the boat launch on a low speed road I just ran them to death. You won't get anything like that from a set of Goodyears today. They have a very checkered review as do most all trailer tires today. Many are using LT truck tires for just that reason. One thing I can tell you is that if you buy Carlisle good old USA company RADIALS they are made in CHINA. I know, I got a set for our horse trailer and there was the stamping. The ones I got for the boat trailer were also Carlisles which were made in the USA. I did check and make sure of that before buying and thats why I got the Bias ply. Whatever that magic compound they put in tires so they resist solar radiation the Chinese just don't seem to do well with. Of course the Chinese brands will be as bad and probably worse. Both sets of ours are ok but I do try to keep them out of the sun as much as possible and the next time I have to buy any it will be truck tires.
If you want to know where tires are made just look at the sidewall. Somewhere in the bullcrap on there it will say "made in China" unless they are made in the USA. Strange as it sounds there is no marking requirement for US made goods so what you are looking for is no country of origin at all. That means made here in the US.
 
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ufm82

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Jul 29, 2003
Messages
827
Re: Bias vs. radial d-rated tires

Tire rack .com shows Goodyear marathons in the 175/80R13 size for $71 and 185/80R13 size for $80. ALL trailer tires have a speckled history from what I have read. Nobody ever seems to get any kind of lifespan out of them no matter what the brand. Some are better than others- I can honestly say i believe that. However there are some things you can do to extend the life of any trailer tire. Keep them properly inflated, balance them when you get them mounted and take the pressure off them when the boat will not be used for more than a week or two. By that I mean jack the trailer up so the weight is off the tires. These three things I think contribute to better life for your tires. For what it's worth, I've had marathons on my trailer now for 3 years. They've been to Florida three times, New York twice and at least a dozen trips to Cumberland/Norris Lake. That's over 10K and they still look great and are fine. I pull them off the trailer in the winter and store them inside as well. Maybe that pays off.
 
superbenk

superbenk

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Oct 27, 2008
Messages
2,033
Re: Bias vs. radial d-rated tires

I looked at the Marathons, but couldn't find them in load range D at 13". They only seem to come in load range C which would probably be enough, but it'd be close. I prefer the extra peace of mind with the D rating.
 
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ctjstr

Recruit
Joined
Dec 22, 2010
Messages
3
Re: Bias vs. radial d-rated tires

Kenda tires work fine. I prefer truck tires, but you'll be hard pressed to find D range 13 inch truck tires. I put 10-15k miles a year on trailer tires on an 8500 lb trailer pulling race bikes. I've blown a bunch of trailer tires, but never a truck tire. Good luck.
 
2

204 Escape

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Joined
Nov 17, 2007
Messages
909
Re: Bias vs. radial d-rated tires

I only use COOPER brand tires. On everything I drive/pull.
 
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