What kind of tires do you run?

[Kaz]

I know the issue has been brought up before but can't seem to find it. I need new tires for next season. Currently running passenger car radials from the scrap yard. (nice tires got me through maiden season) But one has a shifted belt. I really like the whitewalls . I know the pro's recommend trailer tires for trailers, Duh! I know passenger car tires have a softer sidewall therefore a little more side to side wobble/sway than a trailer tire, but also have a speed rating and less likely to deteriorate from heat like a trailer tire constantly driven at 70-75mph. Doe's it really matter on a trailer under 2000#. I would welcome any input/pros-cons.

[tony.latham]

When I was at that step in my build, I cornered the two "kids" that worked at the local (Les Schwab) tire shop. Both of them looked to be about twenty-five and maybe they'd graduated from high school together. Polite, hard-working guys with rough hands and dirty fingernails that had most likely been raised hunting elk and hauling firewood in the mountains of central Idaho. Not city boys. Combined, they'd probably had ten or maybe a dozen years popping rubber off of rims. When I asked them, "what sixteen inch tire would you guys recommend for a light camp trailer if it were yours?", they glanced at each other and almost simultaneously replied, "six-ply light-truck tires."

There was absolutely no reason for this pair to tell me anything but the truth. So I bought a pair. Light truck radials: LT215/65R15 rated at six ply.

My 'drop, with its Dexter torflex axle, no matter whether it's pavement or a rock-and-hole forest road rides like a dream. The spare has yet to crawl from the bed of the truck.



Tony

[lrrowe]

When I was at that step in my build, I cornered the two "kids" that worked at the local (Les Schwab) tire shop. Both of them looked to be about twenty-five and maybe they'd graduated from high school together. Polite, hard-working guys with rough hands and dirty fingernails that had most likely been raised hunting elk and hauling firewood in the mountains of central Idaho. Not city boys. Combined, they'd probably had ten or maybe a dozen years popping rubber off of rims. When I asked them, "what sixteen inch tire would you guys recommend for a light camp trailer if it were yours?", they glanced at each other and almost simultaneously replied, "six-ply light-truck tires."

There was absolutely no reason for this pair to tell me anything but the truth. So I bought a pair. Light truck radials: LT215/65R15 rated at six ply.

My 'drop, with its Dexter torflex axle, no matter whether it's pavement or a rock-and-hole forest road rides like a dream. The spare has yet to crawl from the bed of the truck.




Tony

Thank you for the reference Tony. I will keep this in reference for when I need new tires.

Kaz, put "tires" in the search box. I got 40 pages of posts with the word tires in it. Some may have good info for you.

[Shadow Catcher]

After hearing of failures of Goodyear ST tires on grossly under loaded teardrop trailers I started doing some research. ST/trailer tires do not get the same level of testing as those for passenger use. ALL of the ST tires I could find have a country of origin of China and in talking with a church member who was a Goodyear exec. He said tires mad in China are getting better, but are junk. I looked at the study done by Good Sam a statistically very significant number, and the failure rate is appalling.
I chose Micheline Harmony passenger car tires each of which has a rating equal to the weight of the tear. I don't have to worry about speed and they have a warrantee.

[Padilen]

When I was at that step in my build, I cornered the two "kids" that worked at the local (Les Schwab) tire shop. Both of them looked to be about twenty-five and maybe they'd graduated from high school together. Polite, hard-working guys with rough hands and dirty fingernails that had most likely been raised hunting elk and hauling firewood in the mountains of central Idaho. Not city boys. Combined, they'd probably had ten or maybe a dozen years popping rubber off of rims. When I asked them, "what sixteen inch tire would you guys recommend for a light camp trailer if it were yours?", they glanced at each other and almost simultaneously replied, "six-ply light-truck tires."

There was absolutely no reason for this pair to tell me anything but the truth. So I bought a pair. Light truck radials: LT215/65R15 rated at six ply.

Tony

if you bought 15's why did you ask for the best 16'?
Many passenger (P) tires are made in China, a lot of tires period are made there. My Firestone Winter Force 225-75-16 UV-( utility vehicle) tires are made in Indonesia! I'd recommend a UV for a firmer ride one more ply side wall than P and softer than LT, but haven't seen many UV types.
I bought a cheap tire for my spare I hope having one means I'll never need it. But I've heard that stock cargo tires are cheap so...

[tony.latham]

When I was at that step in my build, I cornered the two "kids" that worked at the local (Les Schwab) tire shop. Both of them looked to be about twenty-five and maybe they'd graduated from high school together. Polite, hard-working guys with rough hands and dirty fingernails that had most likely been raised hunting elk and hauling firewood in the mountains of central Idaho. Not city boys. Combined, they'd probably had ten or maybe a dozen years popping rubber off of rims. When I asked them, "what sixteen inch tire would you guys recommend for a light camp trailer if it were yours?", they glanced at each other and almost simultaneously replied, "six-ply light-truck tires."

There was absolutely no reason for this pair to tell me anything but the truth. So I bought a pair. Light truck radials: LT215/65R15 rated at six ply.

Tony

if you bought 15's why did you ask for the best 16'?
Many passenger (P) tires are made in China, a lot of tires period are made there. My Firestone Winter Force 225-75-16 UV-( utility vehicle) tires are made in Indonesia! I'd recommend a UV for a firmer ride one more ply side wall than P and softer than LT, but haven't seen many UV types.
I bought a cheap tire for my spare I hope having one means I'll never need it. But I've heard that stock cargo tires are cheap so...

if you bought 15's why did you ask for the best 16'?

I'm busted!

Since I was buying 15" tires, I'm sure I asked for 15 inchers since I had the rims with me at the time. I run 16 inchers on my Taco. Heck, it's only an inch.

T

[Padilen]

Darn it I need to sell the Winterforces. My pickup takes 17's. Why can I never get matching sizes?