Trailer Tires

[JD Cox]

I pull a Triton TR-186, not a heavy load (1461). A couple years back while traveling home I noticed some abnormal vibration for about an hour before the right tire blew on the interstate. The tires were about five years old. Thinking it was the luck of the China-Pop I replaced all three tires with 205/75D-14 Carlisle’s (Load C), I know, also a product of China. Yesterday on a three hour trip home I blew the same right tire at 70 on the interstate. I really do not want to do this again. There is some previous damage form the original owner on the right side and I know the axle had to be replaced. The leaf spring brackets are welded to the frame. The only thing I see that could be a problem indicator is the right side shackle is angled back and the left is 90 degrees to the frame. Any expert advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lou C]

Was the tire that blew wearing unevenly? If so the leaf spring mounts might need to be re-aligned. Also you might want to get the boat & trailer weighed, it may weigh more than you think. I weighed mine and found that the boat & trailer weighed 1200 lbs more than I thought based on manufacturer estimates. That occasioned a final upgrade to a 6,000 lb axle, 6 lug hubs, 12” brakes and 225/75-15 Load Range D tires.

 

[JD Cox]

#Lou C Thanks for the response. Most of the tire was shredded but one full section did not show any obvious signs of wear. I’m taking it to a trailer repair shop this week. I’m thinking in the same direction, upgrade. I really do not want to have this experience again.

 

[aspeck]

Sounds like you are making the right move, JD. If it was just the load, chances are it would not be the same tire (unless the load weight is always unevenly distributed). But load with the combination of the unaligned leaf springs/axle/wheel could be an issue.

 

[dingbat]

I pull a Triton TR-186, not a heavy load (1461). A couple years back while traveling home I noticed some abnormal vibration for about an hour before the right tire blew on the interstate. The tires were about five years old. Thinking it was the luck of the China-Pop I replaced all three tires with 205/75D-14 Carlisle’s (Load C), I know, also a product of China. Yesterday on a three hour trip home I blew the same right tire at 70 on the interstate. I really do not want to do this again.

What was the date code on the last tire that blew?
My last "couple of years" back story turned out to be 11 years

May-pops turn to Will-pops on their 6 year expiration date.

 

[Lou C]

The longest I ever used any trailer tire was 8 years no failure but there were small cracks in the tread starting. Over 15+ years of using Kenda bias ply Load Star tires I have averaged about 7 years between replacements. No failures not even a flat. Current set is from 2019 with a spare that is from 2021. I agree that anything over 6 years old is on borrowed time.
Those 205/75-14 tires in a C load rating have 1760lbs of load capacity at 50 psi. So you have 3520 total lbs of load capacity that your whole set up can weigh.

 

[matt167]

Well, I would reccomend 4 205/75R14 Goodyear Endurance which will be LRD.... Carslile used to sell the "USA Trail" which really was a USA made bias ply, but as far as I know, they have went the way of the dodo bird. The Sport Trail is your basic Chinese bias ply where you might as well buy a Radial by a brand called "Triangle". It will be a marginally better tire... Kenda Loadstars if you must buy a bias tire

 

[bruceb58]

Well, I would reccomend 4 205/75R14 Goodyear Endurance which will be LRD.... Carslile used to sell the "USA Trail" which really was a USA made bias ply, but as far as I know, they have went the way of the dodo bird. The Sport Trail is your basic Chinese bias ply where you might as well buy a Radial by a brand called "Triangle". It will be a marginally better tire... Kenda Loadstars if you must buy a bias tire

Agreed...I use the Endurance or the Maxis 8008. Both are good trailer tires.

 

[roscoe]

So your tires were 5 years old, what condition was it in last week, or last month? Was it properly inflated?

Right side tires hit more curbs and potholes.

 

[ahicks]

So your tires were 5 years old, what condition was it in last week, or last month? Was it properly inflated?

Right side tires hit more curbs and potholes.

That's always my first question. To confirm, I put my hand on the tire and wheel hub every time we stop for fuel and potty breaks. Hot is not good, requires immediate attention.

50+ years towing, never a blown tire.

 

[JD Cox]

Hey guys, thanks for all the comments and input. Let me say, I do keep them inflated and I too check them for heat when traveling. They were only two years old and looking good, no obvious wear or damage and I’m the only one that pulls the trailer. But, with that being said I took it to a trailer repair shop today to drop it off. The guy there crawled under it and said, “Oh, here’s your problem right here.” Noting the damage he said the frame was bent in and up just behind the fender on the right side and when they replaced the axle apparently they re-welded the spring bracket to compensate…FAILURE. Looks like I’m buying a new trailer.

 

[aspeck]

Hey guys, thanks for all the comments and input. Let me say, I do keep them inflated and I too check them for heat when traveling. They were only two years old and looking good, no obvious wear or damage and I’m the only one that pulls the trailer. But, with that being said I took it to a trailer repair shop today to drop it off. The guy there crawled under it and said, “Oh, here’s your problem right here.” Noting the damage he said the frame was bent in and up just behind the fender on the right side and when they replaced the axle apparently they re-welded the spring bracket to compensate…FAILURE. Looks like I’m buying a new trailer.

Ugh! Sorry!

 

[jimmbo]

In 2017 I had a blowout on the highway, the Tire was a Goodyear Marathon, but it was 12 yrs old. I replaced the tire with the newer Goodyear Endurance and really like them