Trailer tire info
 

An aquaintance sent me this trailer tire info so I thought I would pass it along to others. Anyone who can add other tips, please do.

Trailer Tire Applications· Trailer tires are designed for use on trailer axle positions only, not for the loads applied to or the traction required by drive or steering axles.
· An “LT” designation on a trailer tire size specifies load range only. It is not designed for use on light trucks.
· Do not mount “ST” or “LT” trailer tires on passenger cars or light trucks.
· Always inflate trailer tires to the maximum inflation indicated on the sidewall.
· Check inflation when the tires are cool and have not been exposed to the sun.
· If the tires are hot to the touch from operation, add 3 psi to the max inflation.
· Underinflation is the number 1 cause of trailer tire failure.
Speed· All “ST” tires have a maximum speed rating of 65 MPH.
· As heat builds up, the tire’s structure starts to disintegrate and weaken.
· The load carrying capacity gradually decreases as the heat and stresses generated by higher speed increases.
Time
· In about three years roughly one third of the tire’s strength is gone.
· Three to five years is the projected life of a normal trailer tire.
· It is suggested that trailer tires be replaced after 3 to 4 years of service regardless of tread depth or tire appearance.
Mileage
· Trailer tires are not designed to wear out.
· The life of a trailer tire is limited by time and duty cycles.
· The mileage expectation of a trailer tire would be 5,000 to 12,000 miles.
Why Use An “ST” Tire
· “ST” tires feature materials and construction to meet the higher load requirements and demands of trailering.
· The polyester cords are bigger than they would be for a comparable “P” or “LT” tire.
· The steel cords have a larger diameter and greater tensile strength to meet the additional load requirements.
· “ST” tire rubber compounds contain more chemicals to resist weather and ozone cracking.
Storage
· The ideal storage is in a cool dark, garage at maximum inflation.
· Use tire covers to protect the tires from direct sunlight.
· Use thin plywood sections between the tire and the pavement.
· For long term storage, put the trailer on blocks to take the weight of the tires, lower the air pressure and cover tires to protect from direct sunlight.
Maintenance
· Clean the tires using mild soap and water.
· Do not use tire-care products containing alcohol or petroleum distillates.
· Inspect for any cuts, snags, bulges or punctures.
· Check the inflation before towing and again before the return trip.
Three keys To Avoid Trouble
· Make sure your rig is equipped with the proper tires.
· Maintain the tires meticulously.
· Replace trailer tires every 3 to 5 years, whether they look worn or not.

Re: Trailer tire info
 

Nice information. More from the School of Hard Knocks and Blowouts on the Side of the Road. There is no such thing as a good 15" trailer tire. ST tires are junk no matter the brand. 16" rims & 10 ply commercial tires work fine on a 2 axle trailer. There are 6 hole 16" rims available reasonable. 3 Axle trailers (Stackers) blow 16" tires. (Alcoa now makes a direct replacement 17.5 rim for the 7000 lb axle, and Continental makes a 17.5 tires that is rated @ 3600 lbs per tire) Commercial tires are made for about 3 years service. A big truck tire ( motor home or conversion) cannot be recapped no matter how new looking after 3 years. ( I just changed 10 @ $375 each that looked brand new) We do have just a little experience with tires as we have 1600 leased trucks that we provide tires for. We blew so many 16 in tires on my stacker, we could change one on the side of the road faster than Nascar, and we carried 3 spares and sometime that wasn't enough. These were all Goodyears 16 plys. They work great on 2 axles, too much wiggle on 3 axles. This information is from the people who service our fleet.

Re: Trailer tire info
 

Now I understand Jeff. My info applies to smaller trailers. Your info applies to REAL TRAILERS. LOL Maybe some of the basics will still be useful.

Re: Trailer tire info
 

Travis,

Hope you are doing well... Thanks, for the great info on trailer tires.... Us racers do really appreciate the extra effort you give the racers....

Re: Trailer tire info
 

I would not recomend 16 inch Mission tires either. We installed a bunch of them on all differnt kinds of trailers around here, they came on my Haulmark GN as well and did not seem to be having problems. Well coming back from Tulsa a couple of weeks ago belts broke in 2 of them. Got to calling around and I guess they are referred to as "China Bombs" now. Tried to get a couple more so all tires would match and found out the ones I have are no longer being sold in the US and the ones that took their place are worse sometimes letting go in as few as 1500-2000 highway miles and causing major damage when they do. Warehouse that I get my tires from recomended I get them off my trailer as they are a problem waiting to happen and if I had any 15" to stop using ASAP. I am trying to find out if their is any warranty or recall help but so far no luck. Haulmark claims they have not used them in several years but my trailer is only 2 years old and it came with them. If I find out any more I will forward it along as I am sure there are a bunch of guys here with haulmarks.

Re: Trailer tire info
 

If I could, I'd like to recommend a great 16" trailer tire that I use on my 50' long trailer. Yes those Goodyear G614 are real bad news and were expensive.

Bridgestone R250, DURAVISS, they are modeled after a larger truck tire and have really stiff sidewalls.
B

Re: Trailer tire info
 

Bernie, are the Bridgestones the 235/85/R16 tires? We use lots of Bridgestone and have found them better than other brands for wear. I didn't know they made a smaller tire.

Re: Trailer tire info
 

Hey Bernie!

Do you have to get those tires shipped in from Perth?
G-Day Mate, All Right Are Ya?

Cimo

Re: Trailer tire info
 

Rob, The trouble with getting Haulmark to do anything is that alot of their dealers switch around wheels and tires to accomadate customers and it is possible that that happen to you. It happen to me and my dealer tried to pass it off on Haulmark, I trold him I saw his guys take them off of his stockroom floor and put 'em on my unit. At that point he sucked it up and replaced the two tires and nice rims.

Re: Trailer tire info
 

I have a 30' living quarters trailer and during a trip to the Indy Nationals in 2007 I blew out three 16" tires. On this trip I replaced all four tires. During the trip to the 2008 Indy Nationals I blew out another three tires. I can tell you they only had about 2500 miles on them. One of the 16" tires blew out while I was attending a race at Houston Raceway Park. The trailer was parked in the track for a day and we heard a loud boom! I then discovered one of the new tires, I had just bought several weeks ago blew out. That was it!! Thanks to the help of Jeff Teuton, I bought a set of 17.5 Alcoa Aluminum wheels and 17.5 Continental tires. My old tires required 80 pounds. The new tires require 125 pounds of air. No more blow outs and the trailer handles much better without swaying. If I go to the 2009 Indy Nationals, I am sure my tire problems are over. Thanks Jeff! Yea we were pretty good at changing the tires on the side of the highway.

Re: Trailer tire info
 

Another possible cause of so much tire failure is the use of torsion axles on triple axle trailers. Dexter specifically advises that thier axles are NOT recommended for 3 axle trailers. It stands to reason that unless your trailer is perfectly level, the loading could be very uneven. You never see floaters anymore.

Something to think about.

RIP

Re: Trailer tire info
 

Jeff, sorry for the late reply, I was in Fontana getting 'thumped' 1st. rd. heads-up !!!!!

Yes they are Bridgestone LT235/85/R16 and R250 Duravis.
Try some and post your findings as I currently have 3 on my trailer and they came recommended to me from a wise tire guy.

Re: Trailer tire info
 

what type of continental 17.5 did you guys get. did you have any issue with taking off the 16 inch rims and putting on the 17.5 from my understanding i would have to change the center caps and the lug nuts did you have any issues with tire clearance

Re: Trailer tire info
 

I called about this today because I had never heard this before and I have several trailers with these axles. The person I talked with said there is no problem running multiple axles with thier axles, they told me that the key is once the trailer is loaded and hitched to the truck as it would be pulled down the road there should be a 3 degree angle (higher at the front) when on level ground for best performance of the axles and tire. From what they told me most trailers are built this way and should be towed this way for equal weight on each axle.

Re: Trailer tire info
 

Ron Morehead: my Continental tires are 235x75Rx 17.5. The sidewall has HTR and Reginal Traffis on the tire. When I bought them, Jeff Teuton handeled enerything. I just picked them up and installed them on my trailer. No problems installing the tires and rims. I used the old lug nuts and the new tires had plenty of room. The best part is the trailer towed better than new. My old tires were original equipment tires. 16000 lbs trailer being towed on the 16" tires were severly overloaded. I am just lucky I did not have more trouble than I did. I can tell you this much, the new tires weigh 90 lbs each. They are HEAVY duty to say the least. As far as looks, they look fine. Not over kill or anything like that.

Re: Trailer tire info
 

OK ---so we have had all this discussion about tires/sizes/wheels etc, Does any body know who makes a 16 inch 4.5 Bolt circle 5 Lug wheel suitable for trailer use???? After I find the wheels/rims I will start looking for the tires---Thanks Dick, Comp 387

Re: Trailer tire info
 

Looking to get a new set of tires for my motorhome, 225 75 16. Anyone have any recommendations? It's a 24 ft. Ford E 350 class C. Thanks. Also, thanks for the info, Travis. See you at Norwalk.

Re: Trailer tire info
 

I hate to bring one this old back up, but I had a little trailer tire issue on the way to Houston. My nephew has a friend that hauls 16,000 lb equipement on his flat bed trailers, and uses 16" wheels with LT245-75-16 Goodyears he buys from Walmart. He claims he has had a lot less tire trouble than with regular trailer tires, but Walmart won't mount them for a trailer. He says be sure to just take the wheels in.
I was thinking another brand (Have had good luck Michlean.), but wondered if you guys knew a reason to not do this. Also, any reason to use 80 or 85 series tires instead of 75? I would sure like to get away from that 65 MPH speed rating with the ST tires. I usually like to run 75 or 80 when I'm out in the middle of nowhere.

I have a little 24' ATC aluminium trailer, nothing real heavy. ATC says the trailer weighs 3100 lbs. I have a 3200 lb car, 375 lb atv and a small tool box, and used to haul an alumium floor jack. <G> I could find that tire (Came on about a bazillion 4WD Chevy pick ups.) about any place if I needed a replacement. They are supposed to be 8 ply, according to Walmart. My wife called them to ask, don't know if they really know. I would really appreciate any help.

Thanks, Ed

Re: Trailer tire info
 

Ed.....ALL 15" ST trailer tires are made in China, Mexico or Taiwan or in some other off shore manufacturing facility. There is NO brand that is immune to blow-outs......Any 16" LT truck tire is a better option for a trailer that came with 15" tires. All you need is a set of 16" wheels to fit your lug configuration and some tires that are close in diameter. Many people have done that swap and reduced their number of blowouts on box trailers. Your only concern is if you have enough room for the slightly bigger tires and your trailer will sit a little higher....usually not much of a problem. I have a 26' Classic with a dragster inside and blew out a Titan one night and should have bit the bullet and made the swap. I didn't because I have nice aluminum wheels and cheaped out......I bought Goodyear Marathons as they are easy to get...... They are Made in China and I cringe everytime I look at one. My racing is limited to local tracks for a while so I am never far from home........but I know when one blows out, I'll be regretting my choice....

Re: Trailer tire info
 

Thanks Rich. Goodyear Marathons are what the trailer came with. I felt good thinking they were Goodyears, not some cheap Chinese crap. Dumb me.

I'm paying for it now. Tore up my trailer, had my alumium floor jack stolen while changing the stinking thing (Long story, never stop in south Dallas at 1:30 am, or maybe ever.), spun the tires all weekend, HRP (I'm told) changed to that VP track prep crap. My 60' times were off .06 to .1 all weekend. That place used to hook great. No longer. I bought motorhome and race fuel and race entry, drew that dang SLATE CUMMINGS first round, then went .001 red against him. Driving home something came off a big truck going the other direction in southern OK, and sliced a gash in the skin on the right side of the trailer. Looks like it's been in a war now. I figure I'm out well over $2000 plus having to repair the stinking trailer. ATC changed fender styles since they built mine so they had to order that. The tire tore the fender off before I could get stopped.

Should have stayed my rear in Tulsa.

Sorry for the rant.

Re: Trailer tire info
 

What does a new 17.5" Alcoa and a new Alcoa 16" cost? How much $$$ in each setup with tires? Thanks, Dyno