Trailer Tires

Even though we use our cars, trucks, and SUVs every day of the week, trailers are the true workhorses of the automotive industry. Without them, our tools and other essentials couldn’t reach where they needed to go. 

But how often do we inspect trailer tires? Is D or R better for trailer tires? What kind of tires goes on a trailer, and can you use car tires? What’s the best heavy-duty trailer tire?

This article gives an overview of different trailer tires, which ones are compatible, and the best for your trailer.

If you’re looking for an automotive service center where you can replace or get a new tire for your trailer, check out AreaGuides.net. It’s an accessible online directory to help you find the nearest car service in California, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and other states.

Best Trailer Tires

Experienced drivers know that towing trailers involves much more than hooking up the vehicle and driving. 

Ordinary drivers don’t have to think about the different aspects of physics brought about by the weight and length of the trailer. 

The right trailer tires can significantly improve your towing experience, whether you’re looking to upgrade your tires that came with the trailer or reuse existing tires. 

It’s also important that you get an in-stock tire with a warranty, which is offered in many stores.

Freestar M-108 (Load Range C)

An affordable trailer tire with deep grooves that help with grip and stability in slick conditions is the Freestar M-108. Its intricate rubber mixture is designed for sturdiness and strength. The tires’ maximum load rating in load range C is 1,760 pounds.

The highway terrain, all-season Freestar Radial S/T M-108+ tire is designed for trailer use. But this tire isn’t made for light trucks because its design cannot sustain the trucks’ weight and driving characteristics. Only trailers can be mounted with these tires. 

The tire also guarantees excellent all-weather traction. The unique symmetric tread design of the tire also improves its ability to grip the road in dry, wet, and winter weather. It also has notched ribs that firmly grasp all road surfaces. 

Carlisle Radial Trail HD (Load Range D)

With more than a century of experience, Carlisle represents one of America’s oldest producers of trailer tires. The manufacturer claims that the Radial Trail HD’s distinctive tread design and profile reduce uneven wear of the tires. 

The tire tread also has a changing pitch pattern that lessens outside noise from the road. Durability and heat resistance are other suitable characteristics of this type of tire. 

It also has a maximum speed rating, M, is 81 miles per hour. Its load capacity rating in load range D is 2,150lbs.

The ability to grip the road in dry and wet winter weather is improved by the symmetric tread design and the all-season compound. 

Even in colder temperatures, the tire compound retains its flexibility, and the tread components continue to deliver a secure grip on the road.

Wide circumferential grooves scatter water and snow from beneath the tire’s footprint, preventing hydroplaning. Its all-season traction and improved hydroplaning resistance can also give you a safe driving experience.

Trailer King ST (Load Range E)

Trailer King ST has a speed rating of up to 81 miles per hour. It’s also a rugged tire ideal for towing at highway speeds. 

According to the manufacturer, the ideal tread depth has been achieved to prolong the tire’s life, lower rolling resistance, and lessen heat accumulation. Its load capacity capability in load range E is 3,520lbs.

It’s designed and constructed to meet the needs of modern trailers. The tire has a cutting-edge tread pattern that’s made using segmented molds for uniformity and aesthetics and an optimized tread pattern for increased durability, heat resistance, and strength. 

The Trailer King RST also gives you the performance required at a budget-friendly rate. It can be used for recreation, work, or vacation and is compatible with fifth-wheel trailers, utility trailers, and RV trailers. 

Transeagle ST Radial All Steel Heavy Duty (Load Range H)

The Transeagle ST Radial All Steel Heavy Duty’s load capacity, 4,189 pounds in load range H, lives up to its name. It can also tow a large, heavy trailer at highway speeds because its top speed rating is 75 mph. 

According to the manufacturer, the tread design can give you excellent grip in all weather conditions–dry, rainy, and snowy–prevents hydroplaning, and increases stability.

Maxxis M8008 ST (Load Range E)

Large travel trailer owners frequently choose the 10-ply Maxxis M8008 ST. 

It can handle a load limit of 2,830 pounds in load range E, and it has a speed rating that’s up to 106 miles per hour.

The ST Radial M8008 Plus offers a broader range of uses. Its material and ribbed tread design are made to lengthen the tire’s service life.

By stabilizing the footprint, the tire can distribute the driving pressure evenly across the tread surface, minimizing imbalance in wear patterns.

Methodology: Choose the Right Trailer Tires for Your Needs 

Your tires are one of the most important parts of driving. Both the tires on your car and trailer must be the proper size. 

You should have the proper tires, whether you’re towing a utility trailer, boat, fifth wheel, camper, or horse trailer. Here are some basic trailer tire recommendations to help you stay trouble-free and make the most of your trailer.

You can get light truck tires that fit your trailer depending on the size and kind of vehicle. When you want the tires on your trailer to match those on your car, the size will help with looks. 

You can also use special trailer tires, which have radial and bias variants.

Boat Trailer Tires

The tires on the boat trailer are essential. Like travel trailer tires, you can choose between LT or ST tires. Because ST tires are designed to carry heavy loads, reduce wobbling, and promote stability, these tires are usually the best option.

Travel and Fifth-Wheel Trailer Tires

Depending on your requirements, the vehicle you drive, and the trailer you’re towing in, choose either ST (special trailer) tires and LT (light truck) tires.

ST tires offer better fuel economy due to shorter grooves, improved stability, and decreased swaying at highway speeds. Meanwhile, LT tires can be used to complement what tires are on your tow vehicle.

Utility or Livestock Trailer Tires

Special trailer tires, commonly known as trailer tires, are designed to make quick work of larger loads. 

These tires are designed to hold whatever you’d tow behind another vehicle, including boats, campers, and utility trailers. 

The larger sidewall structure, which has different functions, is one of the distinguishing characteristics of trailer tires.

Know Your Trailer and Tire Limitations

Check your trailer’s weight capacity. The axle rating will influence this number. The load-carrying capacity of your tires doesn’t boost your trailer’s ability to support more weight.

Maintaining the tire’s load limitations will lower the risk of having problems with your tires, especially if you’re using the correct ones.

Tire Specifications

Your trailer gear system’s selection of trailer wheels is an essential aspect. It is essential to choose the correct size and load range when changing your trailer tires and trailer rims to meet the load requirements of the trailer. 

When replacing trailer tires, paying close attention to the following qualities is necessary.

• Tire construction type – Radial vs. bias ply
• Tire application type – Passenger (P) car vs. special trailer (ST)
• Tire size – Section height divided by section width, also known as the aspect ratio
• Tire load range – Air pressure rating and load-carrying ability
• Rim size – The diameter and width of the rim must match the tires
• Rim bolt circle – Bolt circle diameter must match the hub

Load range has three variations, load range B with the old 4-ply rating, load range C with the old 6-ply rating, and load range D with the old 8-ply rating.

What Are Special Trailer ‘ST’ Tires?

These ST (special trailer) tires were made more durable at high speeds and more resistant to bruising from heavy loads. An ST205/75R15 is an example size of an ST tire.

Picking the right tire for your towing operation is important because trailer tires are made very differently from vehicle tires. Trailer tires are usually bias-ply constructed and have a similar load range (or ply) from bead to bead. 

Because of these specifications, the side wall of the tires can be made firmer, which makes towing safer by easing the problem of trailer wobble. 

Also, the tire’s structure is often radial, or bias belted, so passenger car (P) tires shouldn’t be used on trailers. You’ll experience increased trailer wobble and loss of control if you use car tires on trailers.

Another important thing to remember is the tire’s inflation pressure. The tire’s sidewall means the maximum inflation pressure, which should also be tested when the tire is cold before application.

You should check your local car shops to find out their best-seller tires that are perfect for your trailer. Some examples of tire brands are Loadstar and Goodyear Endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do you need to cover your trailer tires? 

Sunlight’s UV radiation is one of the main factors that speed up the aging process of trailer tires. 

The life of trailer tires can be increased by covering them with products with UV-reflective features or a wheel cover when the vehicle is parked outside.

2. What’s the best load range for a trailer tire?

The best load range depends on the trailer. Divide the trailer’s loaded weight by the number of tires carrying it. Find a tire with a load range greater than that amount.

3. Are trailer tires speed rated?

Yes. The standard speed rating for trailer tires is G, J, or K, corresponding to a maximum speed of 56, 62, or 68 miles per hour. 

 Some trailer tires have higher ratings to match the increased interstate speeds.

4. How long do radial trailer tires last?

The miles drove, the weight, and how the tires are stored while not in use all affect the radial trailer tire’s lifespan.

Also, with time, rubber dries up and deteriorates. After six years, even tires in great condition would need replacement.

5. Are bias or radial tires better for trailer tires?

All but the price are areas where radial tires shine. They generally have a more constant contact patch with the road since they last longer, ride more smoothly, and bounce less.

6. Is D or R better for trailer tires?

A radial tire stretches more than a bias trailer tire, improving ground contact, grip, balance, and tread wear. Usually, radial tires operate cooler than bias ply tires whenever the tire is being loaded.

A tire will last longer if it runs cooler. Because of these factors, you should choose an R tire over a D tire.

7. Is it OK to use car tires on a trailer?

No, you can’t use regular car tires on a trailer. This can be dangerous. The tread patterns on normal car tires are different from that on trailer tires, leading to uneven wear and tire blowout. 

Load limits are carefully chosen for car or truck tires, which are very different from trailer tires. Trailer tires may load UTVs and ATVs that can be very heavy.

8. What kind of tires are used on a trailer?

You may find LT tires that operate depending on the trailer. If you want the tires on your trailer and your tow vehicle to match, this can improve your vehicle’s looks.

You can also continue using ST tires in radial and bias structure varieties.

9. What’s the best heavy-duty trailer tire?

The best 8-ply and 10-ply trailer tires for moving big loads are Trailer King ST Radial II, Carlisle Sport Trail HD Radial, Trailer King, and Maxxis M8008 Plus. 

The best 12-ply and 14-ply trailer tires for hauling heavy loads include Gladiator QR25-TS, Taskmaster Contender Premium, and Firestone Highway Special.