Radials or bias-ply 12's?

[austinado16]

Gearing up for the 1320 miles round trip across the desert to the Grand Canyon and back.  Ran it last year in 110*F temps the whole way, 65+mph, on a set of bias-ply 5.30x12 C rated tires.  Saw tread temps in the 143*F range with an infrared temp gun.

The tires were "nearly new" last year, but after sitting through the winter and spring unused (but covered in my portable Harbor Freight garage) they are showing some light cracking on the sidewalls.  Local or short haul camping, it wouldn't bother me to roll out on them.  But I know me, and I know I'm not going to be in any sort of mood either to scatter my camper all over the Mojave Desert, or pull over and change a tire on 200*F asphalt in 110*F weather.

So I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on some D rated radials at $58ish plush shipping (and mounting/balancing).  As opposed to $34ish for C rated bias-plies.

Any pros or cons for bias ply vs. radials on a trailer?  I'm assuming that, like their radial car tire counter-parts, I'll see less rolling friction, lower tread temps, and maybe a mile per gallon increase in fuel economy.

Educate me!

[pistonslap]

I don't know this from personal experience but I read somewhere that the bias tires were better because of the stiffer sidewalls. They're supposed to minimize swaying. I read that on some on-line tire site. When I bought my used pop-up a few months back, the tires looked new. After about a 150 mile trip, while setting up I noticed a 4" x 10" chunk of tread had come off somewhere on the road. I just had surgery so I'll be laid up for a while, I will be buying new tires before the pop-up hits the road again. The guy I buy my tires from is a personal friend and has been pulling campers and snowmobile trailers for years. When I order my new tires from him I'll ask his opinion.

[flyfisherman]

I run those 12 inchers, too, so my remarks are specifically for them ... And as I've posted on this topic before, have an old fishing buddy whose SIL is the general manager of a large tire distributor in this area and that's where I get some of my tire information (along with my personal experience). According to my tire information source, the 12" radial tires have been having their share of problems so I'd would be inclinded to stick with the bias ply. However, that would be the premium 6 ply rated bias tires.





Fly

[flyfisherman]

I'm assuming that, like their radial car tire counter-parts, I'll see less rolling friction, lower tread temps, and maybe a mile per gallon increase in fuel economy.

Educate me!

Dream on! (forgot to add this to my last post!)


Fly



(p.s. ~ did not those bias ply tires serve you well on your last trip across those long and hot treks?)