trailer tires?

[mudfish67]

Hey all,
First off, Merry Christmas!
Here is my question... Is there an alternate route to take when it comes to tires?
We just pulled our PU down to Florida and had 2 tires go bad (at the same time).
Luckily, we have a dual axle and were able to exit safely.
As with anything safety related, I want to put the best possible product on the trailer. By the way, I replaced all 4 tires before we left. So, I guess my question is, do they make a radial tire that can be used on a trailer? Or can I go to a larger tire (or a higher load range) without a negative affect.
Thanks!

[tlhdoc]

One question I have is were the tires fully inflated?  If they were I would be contacting the manufacturer of the tires, or did you run over something?  You need to use trailer tires on a trailer.  They do make radial trailer tires.  I have upped the load capacity of my PU trailer tires without any negative effect.  I went from a C to a D.  As for tire size, if you have room you can increase the size, but most PUs don't have room unless you flip the axle.

[dthurk]

Yes, they do make radial trailer tires.  I just replaced our ST205/75D14 tires with ST205/75R14.  R, of course is for radial.  D is for bias ply.  Why D, I have no idea.  There is a separate marking on the tire for load range C, so the D does not refer to load range.  ST stands for special trailer, so is a special use tire.  It might help if you post your complete tire size and load rating.  

As tlhdoc says, make sure you inflate them to the maximum pressure indicated on the tire.  BTW, ST tires are speed rated to only 65 mph.

As far as an alternate route, some use LT or light truck tires.  Some are dual rated for RV use.  Commercial tires also can be used, but they usually come in larger sizes.

[mudfish67]

Yes, they do make radial trailer tires.  I just replaced our ST205/75D14 tires with ST205/75R14.  R, of course is for radial.  D is for bias ply.  Why D, I have no idea.  There is a separate marking on the tire for load range C, so the D does not refer to load range.  ST stands for special trailer, so is a special use tire.  It might help if you post your complete tire size and load rating.  

As tlhdoc says, make sure you inflate them to the maximum pressure indicated on the tire.  BTW, ST tires are speed rated to only 65 mph.

As far as an alternate route, some use LT or light truck tires.  Some are dual rated for RV use.  Commercial tires also can be used, but they usually come in larger sizes.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, the tires were inflated properly.
My tires are 5.30x12 4 lug C rated.
I like the idea of the light truck tires.

[flyfisherman]

Or can I go to a larger tire (or a higher load range) without a negative affect.
Thanks!

A not so un-common error in tire replacement posts, right here in the past has been to replace a tire(s) with a lower load range rating. So I'd have to ask a dumb question like were the new tires replaced the load range the camper called for? Also, I see no reason why you could'nt go to a higher load range tire, everything else being equal (like the size).

And, by all means, contact that tire manufacturer of the defective tires, as most of the ST tires I'm familar with carry a two year warranty.




Fly

[mike4947]

ST145/R12 load range D weight limit 1220 pounds is a radial replacement for the 5.3-12 load range C weight limit 1045 pounds. Which gives you a little cushion

LT tires unfortunately are only available in 15 inch and up sizes.

If both tires were on the same axle check the attitude when towing. Too high or too low can cause weight shifting and actually overloading one or the other axle.
If both were on the rear axle most likely it was caused by what's called tire scrub. When backing dual axle trailers the rear axle doesn't track true and the tires get side loaded. The trick when backing is to over back slightly and then pull forward just a couple of feet to relieve the side pressure on the tires.

[mudfish67]

ST145/R12 load range D weight limit 1220 pounds is a radial replacement for the 5.3-12 load range C weight limit 1045 pounds. Which gives you a little cushion

LT tires unfortunately are only available in 15 inch and up sizes.

If both tires were on the same axle check the attitude when towing. Too high or too low can cause weight shifting and actually overloading one or the other axle.
If both were on the rear axle most likely it was caused by what's called tire scrub. When backing dual axle trailers the rear axle doesn't track true and the tires get side loaded. The trick when backing is to over back slightly and then pull forward just a couple of feet to relieve the side pressure on the tires.

Again, thank for the info! Flyfisherman, yes they were load range C. However, I just checked the manufacture date and they were made in 01!! Well, I think that could be a problem :mad: (we have a place in W.NC, we should get together and hunt down a few wild fish).
I still like the idea of the STs, except that I just replaced 'em to get back on the road.

[flyfisherman]

Flyfisherman, yes they were load range C. However, I just checked the manufacture date and they were made in 01!! Well, I think that could be a problem :mad: (we have a place in W.NC, we should get together and hunt down a few wild fish).
I still like the idea of the STs, except that I just replaced 'em to get back on the road.

Have a fishing buddy (he and I often frequent W.NC trout streams), who has a SIL who's the general manager of a large tire distributor for over here on the eastern side of the Carolinas and he tells me that tires can deteriorate over a period of time just sitting in the warehouse. Also, says there's a lot of talk about ultraviolet rays from the sun but he says parking the camper on the bare ground for long periods of time (like winter storage) causes more dry rot problems. Says one should always put something under the tire, something like a slab of treated wood or a patio stone. And, of course, under inflation is the number one cause of trailer tire failures.

My favorite river to fish in western NC is the upper Nantahala River. This is "wild trout" waters and illegal to bait a hook, only flys and lures allowed. Hardest river in North Carolina to catch trout in, they are wild & wily, but I love to fish that stretch of river. We camp at the NFS C/G (Standing Indian) which is west of Franklin, off of US-64.  Of course, do get to some other places, too, but I love Sanding Indian as the "Nan" runs right through the C/G!




My favorite stretch of river.



Fly