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ChetC ![]() Groupie ![]() ![]() Joined: 17 Jul 2016 Location: Las Vegas, NV Online Status: Offline Posts: 43 |
![]() Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 10:09pm |
I can help here as my business puts me in contact with actual, factory tire representatives. I have learned the following...
1. Trailer tires should be replaced every 15,000ish miles or 4-5 years, whichever comes first. The reason is that on a trailer, the tires are an "active" part of the suspension. That is to say, they flex much more than a passenger vehicle tire, thus the carcass of the tire usually wears out before the tread shows any wear. The year recommendation is simply due to weathering of the tire (age cracks, etc...) that may occur over time. If you have less than 15,000 miles and see no evidence of weathering, it is safe to use the tires longer than 5 years. A lot depends on the storage of your trailer. 2. It is not beneficial to purchase a higher ply tire than originally came on the trailer and in fact can be the opposite. Again, this is because the tires are an "active" part of the suspension. If you increase plys, you increase the sidewall stiffness and reduce the flex which results in a rougher ride for your trailer and may result in poorer towing behavior from your trailer. If, however, the tires are not stiff enough for your trailer, the sidewalls will heat excessively and may blow out. As far as rating, stick with whatever came on the trailer from the factory. Having said that, I regularly go over the 15,000 mile limit, but then again I tow more than 40,000 miles in a year's time and a vast majority of my miles are highway. Generally speaking, I replace my tires once at the halfway point of my year. I also regularly tow at speeds up to 75mph. I know speeds of over 65mph are generally not recommended for trailer tires, but I have yet to have an issue. When purchasing tires, I go with whatever brand the tire shop has a deal on at the time. Again, (knock on wood), I've never had an issue.
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Former 2017 rPod 180 owner
Now in a 2019 Little Guy MAX Full timer who logs more than 35,000 miles per year. |
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StephenH ![]() podders Helping podders - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6429 |
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Most trailer tires are 6, 8, or 10 ply rating. That does not mean that they contain 6, 8, or 10 plies. It just means that the 2 or 3 plies they contain are as strong as 6, 8, or 10 plies (learned from Goodyear's tire site).
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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Leo B ![]() podders Helping podders - pHp ![]() Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518 |
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+1
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
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techntrek ![]() Admin Group - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
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Trailer radials are the way to go.
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jcphotog ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: 21 May 2016 Location: Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 6 |
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Thanks for all the great advice!
As the tire size difference is negligible, I would rather get actual trailer tires (as opposed to car tires), as it would seem the rig would tow better and be safer. Most trailer tires are 10-ply (as opposed to 4 on the current ones), and have a better payload capacity. Think I'm going to go with these Hercules that I can get locally: https://www.amazon.com/Hercules-Power-75R15-117L-68146/dp/B006UH6U9M
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techntrek ![]() Admin Group - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
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Yup, even heavy travelers would be hard-pressed to take the tread off before 5-6 years. We put nearly 20,000 miles on ours over the 5 years we owned ours and there was plenty of tread left. I would have replaced the tires the next year only because of age. I would have kept the older spare.
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bjk ![]() Groupie ![]() ![]() Joined: 23 May 2016 Location: Hillsboro, OR Online Status: Offline Posts: 65 |
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Given the discussion, it sounds like age will get the tires before wear so there isn't a need. But I thought I'd ask just in case I was wrong.
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2016 HRE R-179 "CapPODccino"
2011 F-150 SLX |
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furpod ![]() Moderator Group - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
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Never heard of a Podder doing it. I have read a few double or triple axles Airstream owners claim they do it. We never have. |
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bjk ![]() Groupie ![]() ![]() Joined: 23 May 2016 Location: Hillsboro, OR Online Status: Offline Posts: 65 |
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I'm curious, do people rotate their TT tires (including the spare)?
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2016 HRE R-179 "CapPODccino"
2011 F-150 SLX |
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kylekai ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 06 Aug 2014 Location: San Diego Online Status: Offline Posts: 139 |
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Also a smaller tire = less ground clearance. Important (to me) when going off the pavement.
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