Trailer tire rant/advice

[JasonW]

Trailer tire rant.

So I recently picked up a used KX040 and made a decent road trip to get it. I took my 14k trailer and had two tires blow out about 45 minutes apart while on the way back. Complete instant tread separation/failure. Speed was around 65mph during both events.

The tires that blew were about 2.5 years old. 12ply load rating of 3750lbs each. Running 95psi(max cold pressure). Probably less than 5k miles on them. Speed rating N (87MPH). 235/80R16 12ply.


The other 2 tires, one replaced back on February of this year due to the tread starting to separate. And the other made it all the way back home.

It seems all the tire shops I’ve called around and absolutely stunned I got over 2 years out of trailer tires. I’m not going to replace trailer tires every two years as I have 8 trailers total.

I’ve always seen information about running truck tires on trailers. What’s some first hand experience with this?

Thankfully I brought two spares with me on this trip but it’s not a good feeling when the only tire shops still open do not carry trailer tires and your 6 hours from home and have to go into work the next morning. Definitely rethinking options on trailer tires.

 

[jimh406]

I don't have heavy trailers, but I use trailer tires on my utility trailers and car tires on my drift boat trailer.

I don't know about your tire pressure, but running a level trailer and full pressure can make a big difference. That is, if it isn't level, one tire is carrying more than its fair share of weight.

On the RV forums, some trailer tires are highly recommended while some aren't. Apparently, the quality varies a lot. The same goes for truck tires vs trailer tires.

 

[Poohbear]

I have Cooper trailer tires now on my 20000 lb RV (6) and they are going on 5 years and never a problem. I had Sailuns on my previous RV and that's what I will go back to if the Coopers are way overpriced.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Funny you should bring this up.

I just noticed 2 of my utility trailer tires wearing funny….(Not funny, like a clown funny either)

Going to have to find some soon.

I have had the trailer for 5’ish years, and no problems so far.

I have been paying attention to the size and load rating when looking though, not if it is “trailer rated” or not.

 

[BAP]

Did your trailer have “China Bombs” on it? Most trailers and RVs come with the cheapest, junk tires on them that the manufacturer can buy. Put on a good quality name brand tire. If you need help finding a good brand, go onto RV forums because there is a lot of good information on there.