2014 reviews on 14" trailer tires

If you are happy with C's, good for you. I'm happy with E's ;)

coolbreeze01 wrote:
I don't think much of C rated tires on trailers unless they are very light.

That would be the exact point of running a C rated tire right?

Lighter trailer, lighter duty tires....

My trailer is only 6000 lbs so even the B rated tires were technically good enough if we were to consider some of the weight to be on the tongue rather then spread onto the tires. I changed to C rated recently and now have way more capacity for loading the tires... but I hit the maximum for the trailer long before the maximum for the tires.

I don't think much of C rated tires on trailers unless they are very light.

coolbreeze01 wrote:

Nvr2loud wrote:


The size of the tire has nothing to do with it's ability to carry a load. Smaller, narrower tires are not a bad idea on a trailer.

The load range and size determines the tires ability to carry a load.

easternmarine.com/Trailer-Tires-Only-RADIAL/

205 75R 14 C 1760lbs.
215 75R 14 C 1870lbs.

But it is still just a 14", a little wider, but almost exactly the same outer diameter. What I mean is that you can increase to a 15 and not necessarily increase the loading maximum. My 20" tires on my truck are rated for lower weight then the 17" tires on a lower trim level. The outer diameter is the same, however the sidewalls are much lower and do not have the same ability to absorb the shock with extra weight.

My point... size isn't the primary determining factor for weight carrying ability. Some larger tires can handle more weight, some smaller tires can handle more weight. To look at a trailer and see 14" C rated tires as a 'weakness' isn't accurate. My old trailer has 15" Goodyear Marathons rated for 1750 lbs, and my newer trailer has 14" Goodyear Marathons rated for 1750 lbs, and the tires I took off were 14" Goodyear Marathons rated for 1450 lbs.

Nvr2loud wrote:


The size of the tire has nothing to do with it's ability to carry a load. Smaller, narrower tires are not a bad idea on a trailer.

The load range and size determines the tires ability to carry a load.
205 75R 14 C 1760lbs.
215 75R 14 C 1870lbs.

~DJ~ wrote:

Nvr2loud wrote:

~DJ~ wrote:

co2014 wrote:
You here all about the "Bad tires" is there ANY good tires out there in a 14" for a trailer, i would like to here it ! i have been lucky so far but i now have a trailer rated at 7000 G.V.W. with c load rated tires.Would like to meet that engineer!

Curious as to why you would buy from and support a TT manufacturer that would do this.

Because 4 tires with C rating can hold 7000 lbs without a problem. Should the manufacturer put higher rated (higher cost) tires on every unit just to increase the Low carrying capacity. What if the tires were rated higher then the axles... should that manufacturer not upgrade the axles to match the tires... what about the frame? It just keeps heading upwards.

I just thought that 14" tires on a 7000# TT (over twice the weight of most cars)is really leaning on the chintzy side. Then again most TT manufacturers don't put enough axle capacity under the TT to match it's GVWR hoping the tongue will carry 10%, IF you could possibly load the TT evenly on both axles.

The size of the tire has nothing to do with it's ability to carry a load. Smaller, narrower tires are not a bad idea on a trailer.

LenSatic wrote:

gmw photos wrote:

LenSatic wrote:
Another vote for the Kumhos. When I went from 14" to 15", the Kumhos were not in stock and the wait was several months, so I put on Maxxis load range D. You can't go wrong with either brand.

LS

Although, just as a point of clarification, I believe in North America, the Kumho 857 is only available in 14".

You're probably right, but all the web site said was "out of stock" not "not available". They were listed on the site, though. This was Tire Rack, BTW, about 3 years ago. Worked out for the best, anyway.

LS

The 857 is available in other markets around the world in sizes from 12" ( ! ) through 15". But I suppose for marketing reasons, all we get here in NA is the 14"

gmw photos wrote:

LenSatic wrote:
Another vote for the Kumhos. When I went from 14" to 15", the Kumhos were not in stock and the wait was several months, so I put on Maxxis load range D. You can't go wrong with either brand.

LS

Although, just as a point of clarification, I believe in North America, the Kumho 857 is only available in 14".

You're probably right, but all the web site said was "out of stock" not "not available". They were listed on the site, though. This was Tire Rack, BTW, about 3 years ago. Worked out for the best, anyway.

LS

LenSatic wrote:
Another vote for the Kumhos. When I went from 14" to 15", the Kumhos were not in stock and the wait was several months, so I put on Maxxis load range D. You can't go wrong with either brand.

LS

Although, just as a point of clarification, I believe in North America, the Kumho 857 is only available in 14".

Another vote for the Kumhos. When I went from 14" to 15", the Kumhos were not in stock and the wait was several months, so I put on Maxxis load range D. You can't go wrong with either brand.

LS