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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => The Basement => Topic started by: Jack Arnott on November 29, 2018, 01:21:28 PM
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Hello All,
I need new trailer tires. I have been using Discount Tire for a long time, but am growing weary of them, and the parking is getting a lot worse there. (Turns out the parking lot is shared, and new neighbors are bogarting it.) I think that Costco or Les Schwab would be my best two bets, but this is without visiting them. I have 15” rims, single axle, and 3500 lb axle. I had radials, and want those again. My old tires are over ten years old. One has a nail in it, slow leak, and is unrepairable.
Any thoughts on where to go for tires, and which brand tires you prefer? (Consumer reports does not rate trailer tires.)
Thanks, Jack
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My old tires are over ten years old. One has a nail in it, slow leak, and is unrepairable.
Thanks, Jack
10 years! Even if the one was "repairable" you needed new tires a while back! :o
As for retailer, it's more a matter of brand.
There are plenty of cheap tires out there but I suggest you stick with a name brand and look for decent pricing.
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I'm not a trailer tire expert, but you will probably want to get tires that have "ST" on them (as part of the model name/number). The ST indicates they are for trailer use, and to my understanding, have much better sidewall construction than non-ST tires. Trailers that do not have a differential put more stress on the sidewalls of tires when going around corners or making turns while backing up, which is why an ST rated tire is preferred.
Hopefully someone with more knowledge on this will respond.
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Doesn’t ST refer to single axle?
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Between those two choices, I would go with Costco, and that's coming from someone whose parents used Les Schwab for literally decades. The main reason I'd do Costco is they are nationwide instead of just west coast, which may be beneficial if you travel a bunch. They're also open on Sundays, instead of L/S that isn't. On the other hand, L/S does offer emergency "we come to you" services that Costco won't. They open earlier in the day than Costco.
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Doesn’t ST refer to single axle?
Nope, "Special Trailer". Suitable only for trailer axles and not to be used on traction or steering axles of power units.
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Another vote for Costco instead of Les Schwab.
Load rating is your friend, otherwise many of the trailer tires are nothing special. LT (light truck) tires are fine as long as the load rating is good. Stay away from P (passenger) tires.
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Trailers that do not have a differential put more stress on the sidewalls of tires when going around corners or making turns while backing up, which is why an ST rated tire is preferred.
Why would a trailer have a differential? Assuming we're talking about 5x8 to 16' single or tandem axle covered trailers.
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Why would a trailer have a differential? Assuming we're talking about 5x8 to 16' single or tandem axle covered trailers.
I think he meant trailers DONT have differentials, so trailer tires don’t scrub that way. However, many trailers have more than one axel so when you turn sharp, there is a lot of force on the sidewall.
Load capacity for the size is important to check.
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Why would a trailer have a differential? Assuming we're talking about 5x8 to 16' single or tandem axle covered trailers.
The home-made type. I'm surprised how many of these I see.
I think he meant trailers DONT have differentials, so trailer tires don’t scrub that way. However, many trailers have more than one axel so when you turn sharp, there is a lot of force on the sidewall.
Load capacity for the size is important to check.
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Correct.
Trailer tires (ST) are what is needed with the absence of a differential.
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I have seen lots of home brew trailers with automotive rear ends on leaf springs. But I thought people took the spider out of them. In any event, they still should roll independently around corners. That's what a differential is for.
I do understand the desire of tandem axles to go straight, and the scrubbing you put them through, especially in tight turns.
I've had light truck tires on my ski boat trailer with no issues. My last 5x8 had trailer tires and several tire shops were able to quote on these. America's Tire (I think associated with Tire Rack) has been my go to for the last several years. Many years ago I went to Costco and that was cost effective as well.
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I just received an email from Costco and remembered this thread- $70 off 4 Bridgestone tires. Not sure if yours are included....
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I think he meant trailers DONT have differentials, so trailer tires don’t scrub that way. However, many trailers have more than one axel so when you turn sharp, there is a lot of force on the sidewall.
Load capacity for the size is important to check.
I would think that side pressure ("scrubbing") shouldn't be an issue on a single axle trailer, so an ST rated tire might not be as necessary, unless there are other considerations.
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Reguarding tires.
For 10 years I was an auto mechanic. I worked at Firestone , Goodyear , Sears , a Chrysler dealership. I had to learn all about tires. ST or special trailer tires are not legal to use on vehicles that carry passenger. ST tires are not built to the same standards as passenger tires. ST tires are of lesser quality. ST tires have an addition additive that allows them to be stationary longer without dry rotting.
A differential in a vehicle does the same as trailer axles. It allows the inside tire of a turn to rotate slower when turning. That keeps the tire from dragging the tread on the pavement.
Trailers do not necessarily put more side loads on tires compared to vehicles. If your trailer is swaying you need to find out why. I put enormous side loads on the tires of my F350, 65 mustang because I like to roadrace.
Pickup truck tires and all LT truck tires are way better to put on a trailer than ST tires. LT tires are lots stronger, have better puncture resistance, and higher DOT safety standards. They also cost more.
ST tires do what they are made to do just dont put them on your car or truck.
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For 10 years I was an auto mechanic. I worked at Firestone , Goodyear , Sears , a Chrysler dealership. I had to learn all about tires. ST or special trailer tires are not legal to use on vehicles that carry passenger. ST tires are not built to the same standards as passenger tires. ST tires are of lesser quality. ST tires have an addition additive that allows them to be stationary longer without dry rotting.
According to Goodyear (https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/category/trailer):
Unlike auto tires, trailer tires don't require advanced traction or flexible sidewalls to turn and maneuver. Instead, trailer tires have higher load capacities and stiffer sidewalls to handle heavy cargo and reduce swaying.
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According to Goodyear (https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/category/trailer):
I posted what we were taught by Firestone , Sears and Goodyear. Trailer tires do not need driving axle traction but they do need braking traction on dry, wet, dirt and snowy roads. They also need side to side traction especially on wet snowy and dirt roads. I am not impressed with Goodyear Marathon trailer tires. I know a couple of guys that used them and they were always throwing caps. I suggested they try Hankook 7.50-16 14 ply F19 truck/trailer tires and they did and the problem went away. All the trailers I ever owned used 16" tires. Here is one of my truck and trailer rigs. The trailer has Hankook 7.50-16 F19 tires.