Forum Discussion

jbres's avatar
jbres
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013

Tire debate...

I am replacing my trailer tires (205 75 D15) on my travel trailer.
It is a 2008 Wildwood and these original Bias trailer tires are crazy worn all goofy, and in desperate need of replacement.

The tires on there are 6 ply rated for 1,820 #s each. My TT is weighing in at 6,700#s loaded up, and that's without hauling any water which I only do a few times a year. When I AM hauling water and also my canoe I am weighing in about 7,200#s, which is getting close to the max of the 6 plys I think.

I am debating on replacing with two tires I have had pretty good luck with. Yes I tow with proper inflation and cover my tires year around which I still why I tow with STs, and have had luck with them. First is the ST HERCULES 205 75 R15 8 ply rated at 2150 #s each.
Second is ST Goodyear Marathons 205 75 R 15 6 ply rated only at 1820#s each.
Anyone had experience with either tires? Do you think the 6 ply Goodyear Marathons will be pushing the weight capacities? I wish they made them in 8 plys.
Thanks!
Tow Vehicles
  • Wishin's avatar
    Wishin
    Explorer
    Nov 25, 2013
    skipnchar, how often do you replace your tires? I'm talking time, not miles.

    Thank you.
  • skipnchar's avatar
    skipnchar
    Explorer
    Nov 25, 2013
    I ran Marathon 6 ply tires on my trailers until they moved production to China. Since then they can't seem to make up their mind WHERE they want to produce them and that moved me to Maxis. AS long as they maintain their excellent reputation there is no reason to move back to an unknown (to me) brand again. As for your load range C tires I've towed over 80,000 towing miles including an Alaska trip and travel through 49 states and have NEVER had a tire failure. My trailer is nominally 8,000 lb. Tires SELDOM blow up due to overloading (I've seen several that blew up while hanging on the rear bumper). There are ALSO many posts on the forum about those who have oversized their tires and still having blowouts. BETTER tires are the answer, not bigger ones. Good luck with your decision / Skip
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Nov 25, 2013
    jbres wrote:
    smkettner- did you use the 6 ply or 8 ply?


    Ply is the outdated rating system. I bought the load range D (8 ply) and run them at 65 psi on my oem steel wheels.

    No change in ride. Radials seem smoother if anything.

    I also upgraded my springs from 1750 to 2250 and it rides even better. But that is another story.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Nov 25, 2013
    I also recommend the Maxxis 8008. the D rated tire would serve you well and this brand has given me excellent service.
  • nevadanick's avatar
    nevadanick
    Explorer
    Nov 25, 2013
    My trailer is a little heavier and i run 10 ply Maxxis and it doesnt jump around. You dont have to run max air pressure.
  • jbres's avatar
    jbres
    Explorer
    Nov 25, 2013
    I would jump up in size but I want to avoid that since I bought a nice spare tire in this size earlier this year and don't want to buy another..
    Anyone running 8 plys and this causing trailer to jump around?
  • SoCalDesertRid1's avatar
    SoCalDesertRid1
    Explorer
    Nov 25, 2013
    If you can fit them on the trailer without rubbing, you could jump up to 235/75-15-D, for a higher weight rating.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Nov 25, 2013
    jbres wrote:
    I will add in I am nervous about going up to the 8 plys as I don't want a rough ride and my trailer "jumping" all over the place. I put 10 plys once on my Chevrolet Tahoe, and it was a very rough riding experience.


    Put shocks on the trailer, and inflate based on the weight carried.

    The truck, don't run them all at full pressure unless carrying a load.

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