heavier trailer tires and fuel economy

I think a lot of people are making a mountian over a mole hill when it comes to rough rides. it will be a minimal difference at best.

Lots of myth about tires on trailers gets started on rv forums in particular. Usually from newbs that has their first trailer ever or just something some one read that sounded like it made good sense...but in didn't work out that way when actual experience was applied.
One newb had 16" E ties on his 2500 tow truck. His trailers hitch weight required all 80 psi for the load. He said if a tire with 80 psi blew out on the back of the truck it would launch the back of the truck off the pavement....so he was only going to use 60-65 psi. I don't think we convinced him this wouldn't happen.

And some apply their tire tech knowledge about tires on cars/suvs/our pickup trucks/etc..... to good tire tech knowledge in a trailer position. Apples vs pickles.

Anywayz...you'll like those heavier commercial grade tires for that 16k GN flatdeck trailer.

time2roll wrote:
I replaced my oem trailer springs with about 20% more load capacity a few years after installing higher load rated tires.
Never rode better. No effect on fuel economy.

no it was probably rougher you put stiffer springs in. just installing higher load rated tires alone wont make a difference in fuel milage. and I am not sure what ones the OP is looking at. for me I am looking at the sailun s673 which are an energy conserving tire. meaning there is a possibility I can get a bit more fuel milage. Does it realy matter, it would be nicem but I think the improvment will be less than 1/3 a MPG at best.

Me too, I went from 3,500 lb. springs to 4,000 lb. springs, and the trailer does seem to pull better. Didn't seem to affect fuel usage.

I replaced my oem trailer springs with about 20% more load capacity a few years after installing higher load rated tires.
Never rode better. No effect on fuel economy.

I absolutely agree that the 14 ply tires are a much better choice. But I don't agree that the springs will alleviate all of the rougher ride caused by the stiffer tires. JMO of course.

fj12ryder wrote:
Yes, I do have my trailer tires balanced. And those tires at that pressure are not going to give at all. They may as well be solid, with so little weight on it. But why put them on there at all? And then you feel that doing more to alleviate the rough ride by putting on shocks? Why not put the proper sized tires on to begin with and forego the whole thing?

And speaking of fuel economy and RV's in the same sentence is ludicrous.

I know for myself I am upgrading from the cheep 10 ply to 14 ply higher load rage that I will run at 95 PSI uneless I buy new rims also then I'll run them at 110. yes these tires are also energy conserving so they will get a bit better fuel milage but thats not the reason. I am going from a polly belt to all metal constructon so if I get a flat the chance of it going off like a bomb are severly reduces, plus they will run cooler and so on. am I worried about it riding rough.. not realy thats why there are leafsprings and they are rated for the weight. I think a lot of people are making a mountian over a mole hill when it comes to rough rides. it will be a minimal difference at best.

I did the same thing and have noticed no difference in mpg.

Heavier tires will have such a small effect if any on fuel mileage, it is not worth the effort to run the test. You will see more difference with way under inflated tires.

Ken

Trailer tires should not decrease mileage but on the towing vehicle yes. Not necessarily tire weight but total diameter will affect mileage. Stock tires on most trucks 16, 17, all the way to 22” tires are within an inch or 2 in total diameter. Now the guys that stick on 34-38” tires to add clearance/looks pay at the pump.

Yes, I do have my trailer tires balanced. And those tires at that pressure are not going to give at all. They may as well be solid, with so little weight on it. But why put them on there at all? And then you feel that doing more to alleviate the rough ride by putting on shocks? Why not put the proper sized tires on to begin with and forego the whole thing?

And speaking of fuel economy and RV's in the same sentence is ludicrous.