Trailer Tires- Heavy Duty

[urbanhillbilly]

Time for new tires on my 29’ terry with a DRY weight of 7,600. I always travel with the fresh tank full and a fully stocked fridge and cupboards, so total weight is probably 8,600 lbs.

Current tire size is 205/75/R15, I am definitely going to 225/75/R15, but before I go purchase the standard E rated 10 ply my question is this…

Has anyone used the more heavy duty g or f rated tires? I believe they are 12 and 14 ply. I’ve seen them on some of the big 5th wheels, but don’t recall seeing them anywhere else.

Basically I’m looking for a tire that will give me the best performance and longevity. Sure, these tires may be a tad overkill, but I figured they’d be hard to puncture and would probably last forever.

Any insight at all?

 

[Chez]

I did a little research on this a few years ago and learned that you should always go with tires specifically designed for trailers. Something to do with the sidewalls being firmer and less likely to sway. In other words, two sets of tires of the same size and ply but the regular truck/car tires will be a softer more comfortable ride since they are carrying people.

 

[urbanhillbilly]

I did a little research on this a few years ago and learned that you should always go with tires specifically designed for trailers. Something to do with the sidewalls being firmer and less likely to sway. In other words, two sets of tires of the same size and ply but the regular truck/car tires will be a softer more comfortable ride since they are carrying people.

Absolutely correct. These specific tires are indeed trailer tires, but 14 ply and they are the size that is needed for my trailer.

 

[HCL]

The G and H rated tires have a higher weight rating than the E rated besides you can get a full steel casing tire with G or H rated and they are very tough. (dont know about F rated and full casing)
Full steel casing on an RV is kinda overkill but our 5th wheel has a dry weight of 14K and I like the extra piece of mind they provide. They are stiffer but I have not noticed any towing difference.

 

[urbanhillbilly]

So what are your thoughts?

For clarification, I don’t want a bigger size than what is recommended for my trailer, but an overall beefier tire.

I know trailer tires are recommended to be changed out every 3-4 years regardless of tread, but I feel like that could be fudged a bit with some really stout tires. I know what to look for when it comes to tread wear and sidewall conditions.

 

[South Coast Stu]

Where is the best place to get these heavy rated trailer tires in Anchorage? What brand is best? Thanks.

 

[urbanhillbilly]

Where is the best place to get these heavy rated trailer tires in Anchorage? What brand is best? Thanks.

Haven’t found a place locally, yet… I’m gonna do some digging and I’ll post back here

 

[Daveinthebush]

You really have to call around. I tried last year to replace my boat trailer tires. 16.5 x ? and found out they don't make 16.5 anymore. I'd have to ship 2 from Montana, 1 from Anchorage and another from God knows where. Only thing I can do is replace all the rims and tires together.

 

[urbanhillbilly]

You really have to call around. I tried last year to replace my boat trailer tires. 16.5 x ? and found out they don't make 16.5 anymore. I'd have to ship 2 from Montana, 1 from Anchorage and another from God knows where. Only thing I can do is replace all the rims and tires together.

Yeah, 16.5 is hard to find for sure. You could try American Tire, I found some there a couple years ago for an old Ford, but they were truck tires, not trailer tires.

If I can find some of these trailer tires in 12 ply I’m probably gonna pull the trigger

 

[Daveinthebush]

Yeah, 16.5 is hard to find for sure. You could try American Tire, I found some there a couple years ago for an old Ford, but they were truck tires, not trailer tires.

If I can find some of these trailer tires in 12 ply I’m probably gonna pull the trigger

Did you try Trailer Craft out on C Street? 6 Robles has tires too. You might also try Deweys.

 

[urbanhillbilly]

Did you try Trailer Craft out on C Street? 6 Robles has tires too. You might also try Deweys.

Haven’t called anyone yet, but they are on my list. Hadn’t thought of Dewey’s though

 

[spoiled one]

Where is the best place to get these heavy rated trailer tires in Anchorage? What brand is best? Thanks.

Try Alaska Tire service. Fantastic service. I upgraded my D rated boat trailer tires to E rated and there was a very noticeable difference towing.

 

[urbanhillbilly]

Point S tire and auto on Old Seward said they could get me some Onyx ST Radial with an all steel casing, 12 ply, 225/75/15 in about 8-10 days for something like $230 a tire. I don’t remember exact price. Also the guy said he wouldn’t charge me a dime for shipping.

Still gonna do some shopping. I was also looking at the Goodyear Endurance ST. It’s a 10 ply, but supposedly has 3x more stiff of a sidewall. Those were like $180 each from the same place.

 

[iofthetaiga]

I was also looking at the Goodyear Endurance ST. It’s a 10 ply, but supposedly has 3x more stiff of a sidewall.

I'm running these on a 3000# single axle and they're performing well (something like 8K miles back and forth to Valdez so far, and road conditions have been pretty brutal the past couple years). They're a 65 psi, 87 mph, load D tire. Sidewall is supposedly extra scuff resistant, but I don't know if it's necessarily stiffer than any other D rated tire(?). Anyway, FWIW, they're serving me well in my application.

 

[Doug in Alaska]

Still gonna do some shopping. I was also looking at the Goodyear Endurance ST. It’s a 10 ply, but supposedly has 3x more stiff of a sidewall. Those were like $180 each from the same place.

I'm running these on my double axle 24' trailer and so far I like them.

 

[South Coast Stu]

Anyone have experience with the Greenball tires? Made in Canada and sold at Costco. Nice price.

 

[iofthetaiga]

Anyone have experience with the Greenball tires? Made in Canada and sold at Costco. Nice price.

I'm pretty sure those are manufactured in China.

 

[South Coast Stu]

I'm pretty sure those are manufactured in China.

After further research, I believe you are right

 

[HCL]

Not sure about Anchorage but Diversified Tire here in the valley has had trailer tires every time I have looked for them (several different trailers). That is where I got my full steel casing tires for the 5th wheel. They have pretty good prices as well.

 

[Chez]

Where is the best place to get these heavy rated trailer tires in Anchorage? What brand is best? Thanks.

I hate to mention it but amazon has some good prices on tires and with prime they ship free. You really need to do a detailed search though