Trailer tires speed rating really 87 MPH?

K

KD4UPL

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I've been around trailer tires for a long time and most all I've ever seen are rated for no more than 65 MPH. I had some new tires put on my boat trailer. They are Gladiator QR25-TS tires, size ST205/75R14. According to lots of internet looking they are speed rated with an N which means up to 87 MPH. That seems really strange to me but since it's on the internet it must be true.
Can anybody confirm that these tires are really good for that speed. I have no intention of running that fast but I would like to go the speed limit on the interstate which is 70 or 75 depending on where I am. I have been "poking" along at 65 due to habit I guess with this trailer but I think I would be better off to roll with the flow of traffic.
 
MTboatguy

MTboatguy

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The set I purchased last summer for my boat trailer are speed rated for 110 mph, not that I am going to tow the boat at that speed, the rating on this American made tire is actually over a hundred miles per hour..
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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Stay away from China bombs. Use either the Maxxis(Thailand) or the new Goodyear Endurance(USA) trailer tires. I always use Maxxis but now that the Endurance is approaching 2 1/2 years of being out, I may use them next year when I need to replace.

The Maxxis has no speed rating so it defaults to 65MPH. Personally, the speed rating of the tire means nothing on how quality a tire it is.
 
matt167

matt167

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Supercargo tires hold up well also. There more known for heavy duty trailer tires but they do make regular trailer tires. But the Endurance IS the best trailer tire you can buy
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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dingbat said:
The Maxxis brand is made by Cheng Shin of Taiwan.

They have three manufacturing facilities in China. One each in Thailand, India and Vietnam.

No mention of trailer tires being made in Thailand

https://asia.nikkei.com/Companies/Ch...er-Ind-Co.-Ltd
Click to expand...

I have 8 Maxxis tires on 2 trailers currently. All made in Thailand. I just went out and took a couple pictures just for you! These are 2 years old. 4 of them are 5 years old and will be replaced next year. I currently only put around 1000 miles a year on the those. On my travel trailer(these photos), they get around 4000 miles per year.

IMG_20190529_083207-604x453.jpg

IMG_20190529_083154-453x604.jpg


Had too many China Bombs fail. I had two blowouts on TowMasters. My previous US made Towmasters were great for 5 years. I had 4 Hercules all develop large bubbles in the tread and sidewall. Also made in China.
 
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dingbat

dingbat

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bruceb58 said:
I have 8 Maxxis tires on 2 trailers currently. All made in Thailand. I just went out and took a couple pictures just for you! These are 2 years old. 4 of them are 5 years old and will be replaced next year. I currently only put around 1000 miles a year on the those. On my travel trailer(these photos), they get around 4000 miles per year.

Had too many China Bombs fail. I had two blowouts on TowMasters. My previous US made Towmasters were great for 5 years. I had 4 Hercules all develop large bubbles in the tread and sidewall. Also made in China.
Click to expand...

Which brings us to the question.. which is better...a Chinese designed tire made in Thailand or a Thailandese designed tire made in China ....lol
 
matt167

matt167

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Some of the Carlisle tires are ok as well, and by some I mean the Radial Trail HD. The Sport trail though, is basically a bomb waiting to happen
 
harringtondav

harringtondav

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Lucky me. I put 212 miles/year towing our boat to and from our summer place. Age and sun rot kills them. Before we got the summer place we towed 2400+ miles/summer. Shoreland'r cheapo bias tires shed their tread. When I started buying 'C' radials, only rot. I keep the speed 65-68 mph. Single axle with a spare. I ain't in a hurry for a 106 mile drive. A road shoulder tire change eats up all the gain.

Towmax S/T on the axle. 'Milestar'..whatever that is.. on the spare.
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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dingbat said:
Which brings us to the question.. which is better...a Chinese designed tire made in Thailand or a Thailandese designed tire made in China ....lol
Click to expand...
On all the RV forums I am on, The Maxxis is always the go to tire with the Goodyear Endurance gaining ground. Typically RVers tend to put more miles on their tires than boaters.

There are actually some really good Chinese tires made in larger 16" sizes. Very few of these though. None in the smaller 14" and 15" ST tires that I have seen though.

On my pontoon trailer which sees 50 miles a year, I don't really bother putting on an expensive tire. I don't get above 40 MPH.
 
Scott Danforth

Scott Danforth

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FWIW, I used to be involved with a large OEM manufacturer and we would get Carlisle and Kenda tires from china and half of them would be cracked and deflated prior to to arriving here in the US by 40' container. that is only 6 weeks after manufacture

you couldnt pay me to take a china manufactured tire

agree on following the RV crowd on tires as they Charles Kuralt it round the globe.

my last trailer tire purchase was 10 ply load range E LT tires. I may never go back to ST tires again
 
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