Tires again

rsmith159 wrote:
Thanks again to everyone. My original post was asking whether anyone knew about or had experience with the H188ST tires. It seems that no one does and that is what I wanted to know. As stated, I have already passed on the deal and will probably have a good look at the supposedly "new improved" Carlisle Radial Trail RH in the Spring.

Rick in Cobourg

Thanks for the update, O.P..

Question asked and answered...as if that'll stop us! :B

My new ST Towmax tires have an R speed rating.......What a relief.

gmw photos wrote:

rsmith159 wrote:
Hi everybody. I want to replace the tires on a 2008 trailer I just purchased. I have a chance to get four new tires already mounted on beautiful seven spoke aliminum wheels. The tires are branded as H188ST with no other information. Does anyone know anything about these tires and their reliability?

Rick in Cobourg

Ok, to take this back to the OP's original question, I think we can imply that he is asking about tire reliability in general. How do we determine issues like this. Here is my two cents on the questions I ask, and I think this is fair to throw into the discussion, since the OP is not the only one who reads threads like this looking for advice, opinions or answers. And no, FE, I am not trying to use this as a springboard for anything such as an agenda. I have no specific agenda beyond the desire to see open honest discussion about issues of safety, such as tires. So the following is part of my take on the whole deal:

Is the tire designed and certified to meet stringent test standards that could affect their reliability/durability ?
For instance, tires made for vehicles intended to carry human passengers, such as LT or P tires, vs tires that are restricted to trailer and cargo use only ( ST ).

Load capacity in excess of OE fitment, and more specifically in excess of actual loading.

Brand name that is recognized as a worldwide quality supplier. For instance, one parameter might be, does the tire company provide OE fitment to major auto manufacturers ? OE auto manufacturers choose suppliers that meet applicable ISO standards in their facilities, etc.
When I buy a brand name, I am probably more likely to be able to get a matching replacement if I need one during the usable life of the set.

In my mind, it's impossible to judge whether a tire is going to be reliable and durable just by "looking" at it. They are all round, black, somewhat shiny on the outside when they are new. That doesn't help me much in thinking about how this might actually function on my trailer on a hot day crossing Texas at 60mph.

gmw
good post with a lot of valid opinions and ideas…
in regards to your one quote though I do have questions…


“Is the tire designed and certified to meet stringent test standards that could affect their reliability/durability ?
For instance, tires made for vehicles intended to carry human passengers, such as LT or P tires, vs tires that are restricted to trailer and cargo use only ( ST ). “

These different tires and vehicles travel the same roads at the same time, and flying debris from a failed trailer tire is just as likely to, no more likely to, cause severe damage and injury to a passing vehicle and its occupants, than it is to the trailer or its TV…

A discussion and questions that gets to the heart of the problem but would definitely be a spring board to another topic, and one that generates little interest from the people most affected by it…

I spent several years researching the ST tire and found poor and declining quality issues with all of them and while researching the issue I found the Maxxis tire in my size was manufactured with the additional cap ply and was shocked to learn others were not doing that… especially because the lack of one was the major cause of tread separations since the time radial construction was introduced…
its refreshing and good to know others are now coming to the party, even if their late getting there… that will help with brand selection but not the bigger problems…

FastEagle wrote:

rsmith159 wrote:
Hi everybody. I want to replace the tires on a 2008 trailer I just purchased. I have a chance to get four new tires already mounted on beautiful seven spoke aliminum wheels. The tires are branded as H188ST with no other information. Does anyone know anything about these tires and their reliability?

Rick in Cobourg

You've asked a question most here can't answer so they are using it for a springboard to their personal agendas.

Looking at the picture FK posted it looks like a nice bias trailer tire. It has a predictable life expectancy under normal circumstances. That means well cared for and operated within its published operating and servicing parameters. That's about all anyone can expect from a well maintained tire.

FastEagle

Your post makes too much sense and has no place on this thread FE!:)

Thanks again to everyone. My original post was asking whether anyone knew about or had experience with the H188ST tires. It seems that no one does and that is what I wanted to know. As stated, I have already passed on the deal and will probably have a good look at the supposedly "new improved" Carlisle Radial Trail RH in the Spring.

Rick in Cobourg

rsmith159 wrote:
Hi everybody. I want to replace the tires on a 2008 trailer I just purchased. I have a chance to get four new tires already mounted on beautiful seven spoke aliminum wheels. The tires are branded as H188ST with no other information. Does anyone know anything about these tires and their reliability?

Rick in Cobourg

Ok, to take this back to the OP's original question, I think we can imply that he is asking about tire reliability in general. How do we determine issues like this. Here is my two cents on the questions I ask, and I think this is fair to throw into the discussion, since the OP is not the only one who reads threads like this looking for advice, opinions or answers. And no, FE, I am not trying to use this as a springboard for anything such as an agenda. I have no specific agenda beyond the desire to see open honest discussion about issues of safety, such as tires. So the following is part of my take on the whole deal:

Is the tire designed and certified to meet stringent test standards that could affect their reliability/durability ?
For instance, tires made for vehicles intended to carry human passengers, such as LT or P tires, vs tires that are restricted to trailer and cargo use only ( ST ).

Load capacity in excess of OE fitment, and more specifically in excess of actual loading.

Brand name that is recognized as a worldwide quality supplier. For instance, one parameter might be, does the tire company provide OE fitment to major auto manufacturers ? OE auto manufacturers choose suppliers that meet applicable ISO standards in their facilities, etc.
When I buy a brand name, I am probably more likely to be able to get a matching replacement if I need one during the usable life of the set.

In my mind, it's impossible to judge whether a tire is going to be reliable and durable just by "looking" at it. They are all round, black, somewhat shiny on the outside when they are new. That doesn't help me much in thinking about how this might actually function on my trailer on a hot day crossing Texas at 60mph.

FastEagle

For a reply to the OP. A couple of years ago, I bought a cargo trailer to convert to a camper.it came with the H188 tires, 2 of them. One was a 205 75 15 and the other was a 225 75 15. The trailer was 6 months old and the tires were about 10 months. The 225 had a jagged split 3 inches long from the tread towards the center. I had not noticed this at time of purchase. Went to Jim Campen Trailer Sales and Jim highly recommended to replace with radials. He sold me the Maxxis and I never had a problem. So, now I have a different trailer with HiRuns on it. They are about 5 years old and I will replace with Maxxis, because I never had a problem with them, and I can get them locally.
Tire threads are so entertaining.

CapriRacer wrote:
I am reminded of the blind men examining an elephant. Each thinks he knows the nature of the animal, but each is only feeling the part nearest to him - and ignoring what other people are saying about the part they feel.

It is important that everyone understand what part of the tire animal we can see and feel - and if you can't see the entire picture, we need to be sensitive to that fact.

That's really deep....

CapriRacer wrote:
I am reminded of the blind men examining an elephant. Each thinks he knows the nature of the animal, but each is only feeling the part nearest to him - and ignoring what other people are saying about the part they feel.

It is important that everyone understand what part of the tire animal we can see and feel - and if you can't see the entire picture, we need to be sensitive to that fact.

ok, that's fine, but to bring this back down from an esoteric level, the real question becomes, how can we trailer owners make good choices for tires, when we all agree there is no single place to go for reliable data regarding whether the tire choices are good or not ?
I would submit to you, about all we can do is search the many and varied forums, and make an educated guess based on anecdotal evidence, since that is all we really have available to us. I have, and I have made my choices for all four of the trailers I operate.

Good luck, and safe towing to all of you, and happy researching.