I Hate Trailer Tires

[ptige]

So my 2007 RZ2 on an Extreme trailer has had four seasons on the original tires. My previous experience is that trailer tires never last more than four seasons, but these looked in perfect shape. I had my trailer in to repack the bearings with traditional grease (because I don't trust the oil bath system, which sure enough already had cracking seals) and even my trailer guy thought they had another season left in them.

Wrong! I felt the shaking out on the middle of I-10 and sure enough the belts had separated and let one tire balloon out, but I pulled over before it shredded. Replaced it with the spare and drove conservatively to Blythe, where I discovered another tire starting to separate. Something else I've learned is that when all the tires are the same vintage, they can fail within hours of each other.

Extreme used these special Carlisle Ultra Sport 235/60R14 tires (1820lbs capacity, 25.2" diameter, 7" rim) that nobody carries. I was able to cross them into ST205/75R14 radials (1760lbs, 26.1", 5" rim). I was worried about the increased diameter, but there is plenty of room in the fenders and they look right on the trailer even though they are skinnier.

Here is my question. I have always thought that radials are the hot ticket. However, when I told this story to my buddy on July 4th he said the secret to trailer tires that aren't used often is to go with bias ply. He said they will ride rough for 50 miles after sitting, but they never go bad? Opinions?

[murphini]

QUestion:
How long should tire trailers last? I also have an 07, probably under 10,000 towing miles on the tiews. Do they degrade from just sitting?

Also-agreed that oil bath hubs suck. I had one fail, so replaced with bearing buddies.

[chpthril]

Your trailer may have only been in your position for 4 seasons, but those tires could have been already a couple of years old when they where put into service. Heck, your new tires could already be a year old.

Do a search on here or google "tire age stamp", it will explain where to look and how to decode the date.

[majestic]

So my 2007 RZ2 on an Extreme trailer has had four seasons on the original tires. My previous experience is that trailer tires never last more than four seasons, but these looked in perfect shape. I had my trailer in to repack the bearings with traditional grease (because I don't trust the oil bath system, which sure enough already had cracking seals) and even my trailer guy thought they had another season left in them.

Wrong! I felt the shaking out on the middle of I-10 and sure enough the belts had separated and let one tire balloon out, but I pulled over before it shredded. Replaced it with the spare and drove conservatively to Blythe, where I discovered another tire starting to separate. Something else I've learned is that when all the tires are the same vintage, they can fail within hours of each other.

Extreme used these special Carlisle Ultra Sport 235/60R14 tires (1820lbs capacity, 25.2" diameter, 7" rim) that nobody carries. I was able to cross them into ST205/75R14 radials (1760lbs, 26.1", 5" rim). I was worried about the increased diameter, but there is plenty of room in the fenders and they look right on the trailer even though they are skinnier.

Here is my question. I have always thought that radials are the hot ticket. However, when I told this story to my buddy on July 4th he said the secret to trailer tires that aren't used often is to go with bias ply. He said they will ride rough for 50 miles after sitting, but they never go bad? Opinions?

I have an Extreme trailer with the same Carlisle's you mention. My tires were made in April 2007 and I am getting ready to replace them now. I haven't started shopping and I have had zero issues with the Carlisles but it would seem they are hard to find the exact replacement?

[Dave K]

So my 2007 RZ2 on an Extreme trailer has had four seasons on the original tires. My previous experience is that trailer tires never last more than four seasons, but these looked in perfect shape. I had my trailer in to repack the bearings with traditional grease (because I don't trust the oil bath system, which sure enough already had cracking seals) and even my trailer guy thought they had another season left in them.

Wrong! I felt the shaking out on the middle of I-10 and sure enough the belts had separated and let one tire balloon out, but I pulled over before it shredded. Replaced it with the spare and drove conservatively to Blythe, where I discovered another tire starting to separate. Something else I've learned is that when all the tires are the same vintage, they can fail within hours of each other.

Extreme used these special Carlisle Ultra Sport 235/60R14 tires (1820lbs capacity, 25.2" diameter, 7" rim) that nobody carries. I was able to cross them into ST205/75R14 radials (1760lbs, 26.1", 5" rim). I was worried about the increased diameter, but there is plenty of room in the fenders and they look right on the trailer even though they are skinnier.

Here is my question. I have always thought that radials are the hot ticket. However, when I told this story to my buddy on July 4th he said the secret to trailer tires that aren't used often is to go with bias ply. He said they will ride rough for 50 miles after sitting, but they never go bad? Opinions?

I would say your buddy should do some research. I would NEVER cheap out on tires. Going to save $$'s?? All you are going to ask for is problems. There is a multitude of reasons, and rather repeating check out the below link. The side wall is the biggest factor though. "ST radials" is the only way to go. Have you considered some sort of wheel covers to protect from sun?



http://www.michelinag.com/agx/en-US/...ias_radial.jsp

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

I have replaced 2 sets of the same POS tires... since '07.

[ptige]

Dave K, you might have missed my point. I'm towing our rig through the desert with the wife and 4 kids, so I am always willing to pay more for a more secure solution. In our situation, we tow to and from a location 300 miles away only once or twice a year (Lake Havasu). The rest of the towing is to the gas station or launch ramp. I don't put covers on the tires, but I put UV protectant on them and they are substantially in the shade where they are parked. Besides, it looks like the tires failed at the interior tread and not the sidewall.

I'm just wondering if bias ply tires are technically a better solution than radials for my type of service, regardless of cost.

Also, I think the original "low profile" size is only made by Carlisle and they were special order everywhere I called. Not good if you are travelling long distances.

From reading forums (which are always skewed to expose problems more than praises) on trailer tires, it seems that for every make/model brand X listed (including the almighty Michelin) you will find half the posters saying they've never had a problem (yet) and the other half saying that brand X is junk!

[chpthril]

I'm just wondering if bias ply tires are technically a better solution than radials for my type of service, regardless of cost

They're all made of rubber . Next to low tire pressure related failure, I think deterioration would be the next leading cause of trailer tire failures. I dont see bias-ply or radial helping there very much.

[Timmy!]

Excessive speed also kills trailer tires. My one buddy likes to tow at 80+ and he kept going through the bias ply tires like crazy because they were never meant for that kind of speed.

[Joeprunc]

Also another thing I'm going to start doing is jacking the wheels off the ground during the winter. That way the weight on the tires doesn't sit in one spot all winter. You can also rotate your tires very easily to keep fresh grease on the bearings.

I noticed one of my tires had a serious set of cracks on the side wall exactly where the tire was in contact with the ground all winter. I changed that tire out, and will probably change the other out next year....(wait I will not have to tow my boat further than 2 minutes twice a year, I probably will not be replacing that tire).

[NICKYPOO]

I just replaced a set of Goodyear Marathons with another set of Marathons. Date code on the old set was 05-06. They were in great shape. The spare had never even touched the ground. New ones are stamped 2910 so, July 2010 or so? $570 out the door, 2 hours from my initial phone call. Les Schwab quoted me $580 for four (I always have to get a second # for my wife).

I tow 2 hours round trip through 90-100+ temps, 70-75 mph, 15 or so times a year.

[Dave K]

Dave K, you might have missed my point. I'm towing our rig through the desert with the wife and 4 kids, so I am always willing to pay more for a more secure solution. In our situation, we tow to and from a location 300 miles away only once or twice a year (Lake Havasu). The rest of the towing is to the gas station or launch ramp. I don't put covers on the tires, but I put UV protectant on them and they are substantially in the shade where they are parked. Besides, it looks like the tires failed at the interior tread and not the sidewall.

I'm just wondering if bias ply tires are technically a better solution than radials for my type of service, regardless of cost.

Also, I think the original "low profile" size is only made by Carlisle and they were special order everywhere I called. Not good if you are travelling long distances.

From reading forums (which are always skewed to expose problems more than praises) on trailer tires, it seems that for every make/model brand X listed (including the almighty Michelin) you will find half the posters saying they've never had a problem (yet) and the other half saying that brand X is junk!

I thought I read or heard from another boater that because of a tandem axle trailer the tires kind of go out of "form" when turning. Something to do with stress on the side walls. For what it's worth it is against the law up here in Manitoba not to have "ST" tires on your trailer.

I just purchase 2 Titan Radialist II tires here and they are around $110. ea Not cheap for sure. I am probably more concerned about side wall more so the tread of tread depth.

I came across this info, it may be of some help to determine needs:

Speed
•All "ST" tires have a maximum speed rating of 65 mph.
•As heat builds up, the tire's structure starts to disintegrate and weaken.
•The load carrying capacity gradually decreases as the heat and stresses generated by higher speed increases.
Time
•Time and the elements weaken a trailer tire.
•In approximately three years, roughly one-third of the tire's strength is gone.
•Three to five years is the projected life of a normal trailer tire.
•It is suggested that trailer tires be replaced after three to four years of service regardless of tread depth or tire appearance.
Mileage
•Trailer tires are not designed to wear out.
•The life of a trailer tire is limited by time and duty cycles.
•The mileage expectation of a trailer tire is 5,000 to 12,000 miles.
Why Use An "ST" Tire
•"ST" tires feature materials and construction to meet the higher load requirements and demands of trailering.
•The polyester cords are bigger than they would be for a comparable "P" or "LT" tire.
•The steel cords have a larger diameter and greater tensile strength to meet the additional load requirements.
•"ST" tire rubber compounds contain more chemicals to resist weather and ozone cracking.

[yearroundboarder]

Carlisle was OEM on my 2006 Extreme; had two blowout within the first two years. Replaced all four with Marathon's early 2010 and have had no issues since. Tow 5 hours each way to Mohave or 4 hours each way to Mead several times each season; both trips in 90-110 degree temps. Boat and trailer are stored inside when not in use which seems to help.

[CP3]

The tires that extreme trailers puts on their trailers origonally are crap. I had mine do that same thing when I owned an extreme trailer and a while back I think I remember a lot of people having this problem. after I replaced mine I didnt have a problem with them again.

[shawn74]

i dont have a lot of experience with boat trailers but do with my 16'cargo with torsion axles with 8k lbs on it and have to use 10 or 12 plys just to get 10k miles cause the axles but my 16' staight axle i pull excavators with gets twice the like with 8plys and same weight . if you can sacrifice some ride with harder tires like 10 or 12 ply higher psi thus harder tires theyre less likely to seperate in the heat cuz less distorsion ,ive been watching my carlisles with 3yrs on them and they look really soft with ample air cold and they make me cringe when watching others make tight turns in my sequoia looks bad on the axles but ride smooth. so it will be a toss up for me lower maintenance with more confidence or smooth ride constantly checking pres. and turning wide