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LaunchnRetrieve's avatar
LaunchnRetrieve
Explorer
Jan 25, 2015

Travel Trailer Tires

Here's what I know about my trailer and wheels and tires (more info can be obtained, if needed):
I have st205/70r14 (11-12 years old)
Wheels are 26 inch diameter.
Trailer is according to NADA table, 4091 lbs.

I need new tires. From rv.net threads I'm going to look for marathon, maxxis or kumho.

Any other guidance will be appreciated. What else do you need to know from me?

Also, the spare. It's never been on the ground. Always been covered. Should I just keep it as a spare or does it need replacing due to age, as well?

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  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jan 26, 2015
    Bigbird65 wrote:
    ScottG wrote:
    I've not seen any "blown out" Maxxiss tires. I'm sure it has happened to someone but they are the best ST tire out there by a WIDE margin.

    ...and what makes you say that? Not doubting you, just wonder where the proof is or is this just an opinion?


    Personal use and tons of anecdotal evidence on-line.
    I did everything right (speed, PSI, weight) but still had many tire failures including one (Carlisle) that suffered a tread separation just laying in the back of my truck under the canopy - and it had never touched the road, saw daylight or rain.
    After installing a set of Maxxiss 4 years ago I have not had a single issue.
  • spoon059's avatar
    spoon059
    Explorer II
    Jan 26, 2015
    YES, REPLACE THE SPARE DUE TO AGE!!! Tires only last 6 or 7 years on average. Sometimes they last longer, but UV light and oxygen are bad for tires.

    My best suggestion when buying trailer tires is buy more tire than you need. If your tires carry 1000 lbs per tire, I would rather them be rated for 1500 lbs than 1000 lbs. That extra reserve of the tire means it won't flex as much, which means it won't heat up as much, which hopefully means it won't suffer a tire failure.
  • Bigbird65's avatar
    Bigbird65
    Explorer
    Jan 26, 2015
    ScottG wrote:
    I've not seen any "blown out" Maxxiss tires. I'm sure it has happened to someone but they are the best ST tire out there by a WIDE margin.

    ...and what makes you say that? Not doubting you, just wonder where the proof is or is this just an opinion?
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jan 25, 2015
    I've not seen any "blown out" Maxxiss tires. I'm sure it has happened to someone but they are the best ST tire out there by a WIDE margin.
  • Dannyabear1's avatar
    Dannyabear1
    Explorer
    Jan 25, 2015
    The Kumho are extremely hard to get; I went with the Hankook RA08 in size 195R14; same dia. as the st205 but also is a load range D (8 ply) and carries a few hundred # more weight, also speed rated to 99 mph/$100 each from BusDepot.com
  • LaunchnRetrieve's avatar
    LaunchnRetrieve
    Explorer
    Jan 25, 2015
    chevyman2 wrote:
    Well wheel diameter means nothing. If you have 14" tires, you also have 14" wheels. The letters "ST" means "standard trailer" and the "R" means "radial" (type of tire is radial) The big difference between a passenger car, light truck, or trailer tire is speed rating and sidewall strentgh.

    Trailer tires have very few choices, and most are Chinese made. Having said that. I do kinda like Kumho. I am a Goodyear "Marathon" dealer. We have seen many "blown out" Maxxis tires


    rbpru, thanks.
    chevyman2,
    Are ST's stronger or weaker than passenger car or light truck? Can I assume that ST's are the appropriate rating for trailer tires?
    I keep seeing st205/75r14 when I try to look up st205/70r14. Is the 70 not readily available anymore?
    Someone suggested going with 215 instead of 205, what difference does that make?
  • chevyman2's avatar
    chevyman2
    Explorer
    Jan 25, 2015
    Well wheel diameter means nothing. If you have 14" tires, you also have 14" wheels. The letters "ST" means "standard trailer" and the "R" means "radial" (type of tire is radial) The big difference between a passenger car, light truck, or trailer tire is speed rating and sidewall strentgh.

    Trailer tires have very few choices, and most are Chinese made. Having said that. I do kinda like Kumho. I am a Goodyear "Marathon" dealer. We have seen many "blown out" Maxxis tires
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Jan 25, 2015
    If you got 10 or 12 years from the last set. I would think a good brand of tire in the same size would do the job.

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