Trailer Tires

[bandaidmd]

That Maxxis looks pretty good.
Maybe most trailer tires would last longer if they made them with more of a square tread, these round tread tires only ride on the very center when at pressure and unloaded . Hardly anyone is going to constantly adjust the pressures to match the load. Why are most trailer tires made with the rounded tread?

 

[daugen]

Why are most trailer tires made with the rounded tread?
I believe for less scrub/resistance going around turns. ??

 

[Diamondpilot]

Maxxis is a very good trailer tire.

Chris

 

[JIGBUILDER]

Why are most trailer tires made with the rounded tread?
I believe for less scrub/resistance going around turns. ??

The old Goodyear Marathon website and Carlisle old website said a narrow tread makes a better tire for a trailer. Now look at the ST235/80-16 tire with a 6.0" wide tread and a 9.2" tire width. The sidewalls are basketball shaped and is supposed to give the trailer a soft flexy ride. Flex = heat.
Now look at a LT235/85-16 tire with a 6.7"to 7" wide tread and the same 9.2" tire width. The sidewalls don't basketball out as bad as the ST.
Rim width is critical for a load carrying tire. The wheels width should be close to the same as the tires tread width.
Next time your behind a semi trailer going down the road look how flat or vertical the sidewalls are compared to a ST tire or even some sizes/brands of LT tires.

 

[bandaidmd]

The old Goodyear Marathon website and Carlisle old website said a narrow tread makes a better tire for a trailer. Now look at the ST235/80-16 tire with a 6.0" wide tread and a 9.2" tire width. The sidewalls are basketball shaped and is supposed to give the trailer a soft flexy ride. Flex = heat.
Now look at a LT235/85-16 tire with a 6.7"to 7" wide tread and the same 9.2" tire width. The sidewalls don't basketball out as bad as the ST.
Rim width is critical for a load carrying tire. The wheels width should be close to the same as the tires tread width.
Next time your behind a semi trailer going down the road look how flat or vertical the sidewalls are compared to a ST tire or even some sizes/brands of LT tires.

sorry but i'm not seeing which type you feel is the best, flat or rounded?

 

[Turbys_1700]

I have had the same issues everyone else has had with trailer tires...
My camper uses 15'" rims in a 225 series size...
The last set I purchased were e-rated tires good for 80 psi...
They are Greenballs and have been great...
The rims are only rated for 65 psi but I run them at 75...
So far so good...

I think that part of the issue with trailer tires today is that...
1. They are made cheaper than in years past...
2. QC issues with quality consistency from batch to batch...
3. Today's tow vehicles are capable of towing at much higher speeds than years ago thus excessive heat build up in the tires leading to premature failure...
4. Lower standards set for ST tires versus LT tires by the DOT...
5. Operator error in under-inflated tires or older dry rotted tires...
Take this info for what it's worth...
But...
I know that I am right...lol

 

[ultrarunner]

I always adjust tire pressure for the load.

My car trailer drops to 25 empty and 40 loaded.

If I didn't drop the pressure the solid axle trailer would bounce.

Same for my 4x6 box trailer... it's either empty or carrying a yard of gravel...

 

[JIGBUILDER]

sorry but i'm not seeing which type you feel is the best, flat or rounded?

Pulling trailers to make a living has shown me the flatter sidewall/tread of the LT is far superior to any ST tire with the flexy rounded sidewalls/tread.
However for a trailer that sits for months at a time or makes short trips around town such as a lawn service trailer the ST works for many.
So to say which one is best depends on the type of service required...IMO.

 

[bullbreaker]

First response was perfect. I maintain about 75 trailers and hands down the best are Greenball Tow Master Radials followed by Gladiator a radials. Trailer Kings are not bad either.

Hands down the worst are Carlisle Tires followed closely by Goodyear Marathons.

Chris

ptimist: Just checked tires that came with my 2014 Heartland 26lrss
They are Trailer Kings ST Radials

 

[scodemike]

So I have a question re; size. My fifth has 235/80/R16 and the Costco Greenball Towmaster Radial is 235/85/R16 @ $145 eac. Can I use the 85 series in place of the 80?