heavier trailer tires and fuel economy

[johndeerefarmer]

I know heavier tires on your truck decrease fuel economy but what about on a trailer? Looks like once you get it up to highway speed it wouldn't matter?

why I asked was I got tired of the blowouts on the 12 ply junk and put some heavy 14 ply on my trailer. Wondering if and how much mpg will be affected

Thanks

[JIMNLIN]

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.

[StirCrazy]

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.

[fj12ryder]

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.

[time2roll]

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.

[fj12ryder]

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.

[StirCrazy]

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.

[Bird_Freak]

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

[TXiceman]

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

[Retired_JSO]

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.

[fj12ryder]

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.

[StirCrazy]

fj12ryder wrote:

eHoefler wrote:
I run 17.5 MT tires rated for 6005 pounds per tire and wheel combination on my fifth wheel, wheels weigh 60 pounds each, with tires weighing 65+ pounds. I run them at max psi of 125. Actually get better mileage than the 16" tires they replaced.

I guess what I'm wondering is why. Surely you don't have 20,000+ on those axles? I guess it would make sense if you were running 10,000 lb. axles. Gotta be a darned rough ride for the trailer.

he said why, running at a higher inflation gives him better milage. as long as it doesnt cause a wear issue why not. worried about how rough the rv is put a set of shocks on it. it always gets me that we accept that the tires are part of the suspension of our rv's ST trailers are ment to be run at max psi so 80 so it rough already.

also for thoes saying it is going yo be to rough of a ride do you have your trailer tires ballanced? if not, do you realy cre about how the ride is for the trailer?

[fj12ryder]

eHoefler wrote:
I run 17.5 MT tires rated for 6005 pounds per tire and wheel combination on my fifth wheel, wheels weigh 60 pounds each, with tires weighing 65+ pounds. I run them at max psi of 125. Actually get better mileage than the 16" tires they replaced.

I guess what I'm wondering is why. Surely you don't have 20,000+ on those axles? I guess it would make sense if you were running 10,000 lb. axles. Gotta be a darned rough ride for the trailer.

[Cummins12V98]

eHoefler wrote:
I run 17.5 MT tires rated for 6005 pounds per tire and wheel combination on my fifth wheel, wheels weigh 60 pounds each, with tires weighing 65+ pounds. I run them at max psi of 125. Actually get better mileage than the 16" tires they replaced.

You are WAYYYYYYY overinflated. You have less stoping ability and a **** rough ride.

60# ? what wheel are you using? I run the 17.5" Alcoa aluminum wheels and they only weigh 30# each along with the Continental "J" HTL2 Eco Plus 235/75 17.5 @ 65# each. My two axles have 18k on them and 105psi gives me lots of extra capacity.

EDIT: I see it's a gooseneck we are talking about. Still stand by you are wayyyy overinflated.

[Michelle_S]

All I can say is: I towed a 24' TT. a 30' TT and a 35' Fifthwheel with the same truck, 2005 3500 Duramax Dually and couldn't see enough difference in mileage to really tell if there was any.