Tires?

[markdoane]

Lot's of discussion about LT truck tires versus ST trailer tires on a different forum. Anyone here want to state a preference?
I'm thinking of up-sizing to 16" wheels on my Tradewind. Any comments pro or con?
(yes, I know I need to spread the outriggers and fab new fenderwells for clearance)

[wingfoot321]

16" LT tires can get you more room for larger brakes and a higher load rating if you need it. They are probably a little more uniform for balance and radial & lateral runout. They may look more robust like those on a 2500 truck.

You will go through a lot of cost and work if you change OD very much or wheel diameter. I would expect your brakes are 10" or 12" and quite adequate for the weight of your trailer.

I don't know the particulars of your trailer weight but, I would expect that a good load range "C" or "D" trailer tire properly balanced will be quite satisfactory.

[ke4pk]

I have tried both the LT truck in a bias and the trailer specific in a radial and to me the trailer specific in a radial, fully inflated to the tire's maximum recimmended inflation is much better.

[85MH325]

I have had a number of different types of trailers over the years; travel trailers, car & equipment haulers, and boat trailers. I have never experienced an on-the-road tire failure on a trailer equipped with trailer-specific tires. I have experienced several blow-outs, tread separations, and flats with automotive tires installed in trailer applications.

I don't know what the difference is in construction, or why trailer tires are trailer-specific, but I've decided that I'm using trailer-specific tires on trailers. The manufacturers apparently know things about building trailer tires that I don't understand, but I'm a believer in trailer-specific tires.

Roger

[thenewkid64]

Trailers of the weight we are towing create tremendous sidewall pressure due to road conditions and the side to side movement of the trailer as it is towed. This lateral movment is accounted for in a trailer tire, not in an automotive tire. The sidewalls of the trailer tire will not get as hot as a automotive tire under the same conditions. Heat is what kills the tire.

Also FWIW trailer tires are usally molded with additional UV inhibitors so the tire itself will last longer. It gets you a 5 year life instead of a 3 year life on a tire from exposure. Look at the number of old trailers with 10 year old tires that are cracked but still hold air. I would not tow with them, but finding a car with ten year old tires, they would be flat.

YMMV

[markdoane]

Thanks for your replies. I think my choices are:
1. stay with ST225/75R15, D
2. up-size to LT225/75R16, E
Both have similar capacity, but the LT tire stands a little taller.
I'm leaning toward the trailer tires. Are they normally less expensive? Are there quality issues with Marathon trailer tires?

[joel]

I just went thru the tire ? myself. The consensus of opinion from several dealers that I talked to was the goodyear marathon s was the best tire for me . The s series is the new ones with stiffer side walls to prevent damage from swaying.E series rated tires are a lot rougher on the trailors than the d series are. Good luck