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2001400ex's avatar
2001400ex
Explorer
Jun 06, 2016

Tires question

So I had my first blowout last night on the terrible stock Trail America tires. I got lucky, the center rib flew off (and part of it hit the roof of my truck somehow) and we were able to drive one mile to a parking area in the middle of Montana. My trailer was manufactured in 2012 and I bought it in July of 2013 and it has less than 5,000 miles one it. My first toy hauler I bought new in 2008 and sold in 2012 and the LT tires that were on it looked brand new when I sold it and I had probably 8,000 miles on them. (I do NOT want an ST vs LT debate, I understand the differences) I have 70,000 on my truck tires and they are 5 years old and they basically look brand new, I will probably get 100,000 miles out of them easily (it is frustrating trailer tires don't even get 5,000 miles)

My toy hauler is 5,200 dry with a GVW of 7,500. I am going to go up in load range and such for excess capacity because that is how I am. What I am looking for, does anyone know of a brand of tire that lasts longer than others? In my reading, I have read good things about Maxxis. Most of my trips are 10 hours at a time and in the summer temperatures are often over 100 degrees with elevations over 7,000 feet (which changes tire pressure drastically), and the speed limit is 80 (no I do not drive that fast, but I like to go 70 so I am not that far off the pace). I just want a tire that I do not have to worry about in the next few years. I might go to an LT tire so please include those recommendations as well.
  • I upgraded 205 15 C's to 225 75R 15 E Maxxis tires on a past trailer, and no problems.

    If I was buying today, I would look at these Carlisle Radial Trail HD

    Reason being not many places carry the Maxxis, and I like the speed rating on the HD's.
  • JIMNLIN wrote:
    2001400ex wrote:
    Yeah they are 205/75/15 tires. They are load rated at C.

    Thanks for the replies!!!

    Your in luck.
    Depending on room in the wheel well and proper wheel pressure/wheel width requirements the Goodyear Wrangler HT in a LT235/75-15 C (50 psi) at 1980 lb capacity. Most LT tire makers carry this size.

    And a Wrangler HT in a LT215/75-15 D HT (65 psi) at 2090 lbs capacity.

    Maxxis LT U-168 are a commercial grade tire with several 15" sizes and have became popular with all types of trailer owners.

    Vanco 2 from Continental another popular tire for trailer users has several 15" sizes and load capacities.

    I see the Yokohama RY215 in a 700R 15 D at 2040 lbs capacity is popular on some of the other RV websites.

    Goodyear Cargo G26 2249 lb capacity in a 225/70R 15 C 65 psi load range D for trucks/vans and trailers.

    Do your home work on your trailers wheel well top and side clearances.


    Thanks for the recommendations!!! I have a few to choose from there. Some great options.
  • No tire is going to last for a very long time.
    Too many factors.
    Time
    Sun
    Use
    Temps
    Inflation
    Load
    Speed

    Best thing you can do is run your trailer every day. This will eliminate most issues.
    This probably isn't realistic, so you have to live with the fact you will have to replace them every 5 years or so.
  • 2001400ex wrote:
    Yeah they are 205/75/15 tires. They are load rated at C.

    Thanks for the replies!!!

    Your in luck.
    Depending on room in the wheel well and proper wheel pressure/wheel width requirements the Goodyear Wrangler HT in a LT235/75-15 C (50 psi) at 1980 lb capacity. Most LT tire makers carry this size.

    And a Wrangler HT in a LT215/75-15 D HT (65 psi) at 2090 lbs capacity.

    Maxxis LT U-168 are a commercial grade tire with several 15" sizes and have became popular with all types of trailer owners.

    Vanco 2 from Continental another popular tire for trailer users has several 15" sizes and load capacities.

    I see the Yokohama RY215 in a 700R 15 D at 2040 lbs capacity is popular on some of the other RV websites.

    Goodyear Cargo G26 2249 lb capacity in a 225/70R 15 C 65 psi load range D for trucks/vans and trailers.

    Do your home work on your trailers wheel well top and side clearances.
  • Tires!
    It is going to be tough to find tires that will last or not have problems if driving at 70 mph is normal for you!!!!! I would choose LT truck tires with the highest rating that will fit your trailer. At least "E" or "G" rated if they will fit.
  • I just bought new tires for my enclosed trailer that is typically loaded 6-8K lbs. I went up to LRE ST225/75R15 tires from LRD but also upgraded the rims at the same time. I didn't have any tire failures, but two are plugged, the tread was getting thin and I wanted new shoes on before we take a coming high mileage trip. I felt the cost was minimal to go from 8PR tire to 10 PR and should give me better wear and puncture resistance. I found I could order tires mounted on new rims shipped to my door for almost as much as just buying tires locally and having them mounted on my current rims because of the taxes and tire disposal fees. I will sell off the old set on Craigslist and end up at the same or less price as local but have new rims AND tires instead of just tires.
  • Yeah they are 205/75/15 tires. They are load rated at C.

    Thanks for the replies!!!
  • Nothing in the ST category is going to give you service similar to an LT tire. Maxxis is a good ST tire but they still need replacing after 4-5 years regardless of mileage.

    I use Maxxis tires on our nearly 10K# TT TH and tow under the same conditions you outlined and from my experience they do provide better service than most of the current crop of ST tires.

    Your best bet if you have the room is to go to an LT tire for the peace of mind that no ST tire can provide. I haven't had any blowouts with our Maxxis ST tires but I don't expect them to go longer than 5 years.
  • You don't mention the size or weight rating of the original tires. From the weights you give it may be tough to find an LT tire to fit. The important item I see is you are looking to go up to the next load rating. I agree with that.

    Either Maxxis or even the Goodyear Marathons would work for you. I had D rated Marathons on my 10,500 empty fifthwheel for 7 years before changing them out due to cracks starting to show. I stayed with the Marathons and went up to E rated.
  • Check the date the blown tire was made, and the other tires on the trailer. The China OEM bombs are only good for 5 years or less!