Trailer Tire Help

[JPM]

Hello,<br />Time to replace the tires on my trailer, I have $200 in gift certificates from Gander Mountain that i would like to use, they carry Carlisle, Towmaster and Duro brands, what would be my best choice. I have heard plenty feedback on Carlisle (not good) but dont know anything about Towmaster or Duro. Thanks!<br /><br />Jason

 

[Pony]

Re: Trailer Tire Help

I am sure I will get flamed for this.....................but I have used Carlisle tires on my trailers for the last 5 or 6 years with out any issues (last 2 sets). IMHO I think that if properly maintained they are ok tires.......I tend to feel that many who have issues are from under inflated or worn out tires that blow; and then are quick to blame the tire and not themselves.<br /><br />I cant comment on Towmaster or Duro as I havent used them.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Trailer Tire Help

They're all fine. I too have nothing bad to say about Carlisle, but am well aware of their bad rap. I have over 30 years of trailer towing on those 3 brands and some others. Never a blowout or problem on any. More important than brand name is to make sure you get a tire with the proper load rating...highest possible load rating is ideal, overkill never hurt anything here. And always keep them inflated to max pressure (most trailer tires are 50 lbs, but read the sidewall). Generally I prefer bias ply over radial, but I'm not sure what kind of setup you've got or what your weight is.

 

[KM2]

Re: Trailer Tire Help

I had a bad experience with the Carisle's but it was with radials. Most of the time the stories are about the radials.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Trailer Tire Help

Been using Carlisle tires for years and no problems...

 

[jlshields]

Re: Trailer Tire Help

Just got the 'skinny' on trailer tires from a tire shop, not a salesman, who says trailer tires(ST) are for use only as indicated, 'Trailer use only'.<br />He says LT or light truck tires are better than ST if the load range is correct. Says he's never had an adjustment or complaint on LT tires used on a trailer. Has had his share on ST.<br />John

 

[BillP]

Re: Trailer Tire Help

Whatever brand you go with I would do a bias tire, especially if you are maxing the tire load. Bias tires sway less. I had a rig that had major sway with radials and no sway with bias tires...never did radials again after that.<br /><br />Be sure to check the specs if you go with LT tires on a trailer. NHTSA (nat hiwy traffic safety admin) has a formula for swapping auto tires (P-metric & LT) to trailers. Basically the auto tire has to have an approx 10% higher load rating to equal a trailer tire.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer Tire Help

Towmaster radials are very good tires. Have them on two of my trailers.<br /><br />Haven't experienced the sway problems of the previous poster but my trailers only weigh around 7000 lbs and towed by 3/4 and 1/2 ton trucks.

 

[bootle]

Re: Trailer Tire Help

Light truck tires for light trucks, trailer tires for your trailers and car tires for your cars.<br />If not, you will certainly have issues with your insurance company in the event of an accident due to tire failure.<br />Why take those types chances?

 

[OFD56]

Re: Trailer Tire Help

I worked in a auto shop, and all of the trailers that had car tires on them burnd through the tire in no time, they are meant to be on a car suspension not a trailer suspension, same thing with LT tires, I always recommend that trailer tires are used on trailers, that why they make them, they have a stronger side wall, and narrower tread for trailers. What is a couple of more bucks versus, totalling your boat and trailer cause you put car or light truck tires on the rims instead of trailer tires.