Trailer Tires
 

My trailer is going to be needing tires soon and wanted to get opinions on what everyone thinks would be the best tire to use. My trailer is an open trailer that is 6-1/2' x 12' and it is aluminum. It's a single axle also.
It pretty much hauls tractors and atv's.

I've run Goodyear Marathons on my tandem boat trailer for years. I like them.
4000 lb boat.

What is the tire size?????

whats the gvw on the trailer?

I prefer light truck tires over trailer tires on trailers I haul a lot of weight like a car. Passenger car radials on tandem boat trailers.

I know what the experts say, just giving my opinion on what works for me me for quite awhile.

14" tires and the trailer has a 3500# axle under it.

same here.

Thanks guys!
Speak up and don't be shy! Give me some more opinions! LOL

I always run used automotive tires. the trailer tires I've had were terrible. had brand new ones blow out on us and leave us stranded. don't have problems out of the used auto ones. you can get them 44 psi and they're a little heavier built.

I use a tire design for a trailer. I also have a spare tire on my trailer in case I have a problem. Make sure the tire you buy can handle (load rating) you intend to haul. Info is on the sidewall.

Most passenger car tires have less support in the sidewalls than a tire design for trailers. Buying used passenger car take offs is a no-no in my book. You do not what kind of life they had in the past plus there life span has expired.

I run used radials on my utility trailer.

My big 5th has trailer tires load range "E".

The only issue with running automotive / light truck tires on a trailer is side wall stiffness.

Trailer tire side walls are stiffer to help reduce sway and resist a blow out if you "curb" it, on an inside turn.

I ran light truck tires on this;
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...redbird044.jpg

Usually between 5 and 7k #s loaded.

Hauled it thousands of miles, without issue.

X2! They passed a law here in IA that your trailer has to have trailer tires. There was a reason for it.

Agreed. Trailer tires are for trailers, like motorcycle tires are for motorcycles. Yes there are darksiders out there that run car tires on their baggers, but they are crazy and cheap. They also are under the incorrect perception that car tires can work on a bike. Whatever. See where I'm going here?

I use Goodyear Marathons Load Range E. ST 175/80R13. Hell of a tire.

We used to run 10 ply on our goosenecks, didn't have to worry about to many flats! I ran 10 plys on my old truck, rode like a log wagon but no flats!

That's all I would do for a trailer....trailer tires. I'm happy with the Carlisle "Radial Trail" for my single axle trailer. I've curbed them more than I can care to count and no problems knock on wood.

With it being a 14" tire, you won't be able to get a 10PR. Probably a nice 6PR will be about the heaviest you can get. On a single axle, I don't really have much of a recommendation other than DO get a trailer tire. They will hold up a lot better than a car or truck tire. I'm not a "small" trailer guy. The only trailer I own right now is a 16,000# tandem. I run 10PR tires on it. You just aren't going to get too many choices in a 14" tire.

Thanks guys! I bought the trailer new back in 2005 so the originals didn't do to bad and I have had the trailer everywhere.

I bought a used car dolly that needed tires. The only thing my tire guy would sell me was trailer tires.

I stopped using radials and went back to bias ply tires on my trailers a few years ago, there are times when my trailers set for long periods of time between uses, radial tires seem to develop flat spots after setting, then they come apart going down the road. That's an aggravation that I really don't need.