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Introduction
If theres a topic thatll bring about controversy, a diversity of opinions, and a plethora of facts, non-facts & basic
misinformation, the topic of trailer tires can roll right over any discussion round an RV campfire. Some folks
advise using truck tires on camping trailers while others say theres no difference between auto tires and trailer
tires. The controversy over US-made tires versus Asian-made tires can quickly heat up the crowd more than the
campfire itself. But no one disagrees that a blowout can ruin your days travel plans, put a dent in your vacation
budget, and possibly pound more than one dent into your trailers floor or tire well, or below-floor plumbing parts,
or brake wiring, or (lets stop here before we need to break out the bottle of Tums; Im feeling the stomach acid
churning already.)
I am certainly not an expert on trailer tires, but I have done some research that may help you to better decide how
to deal with your tire issues as they relate to your camping trailer. This discussion is limited to trailer tires only and
will not address other RV tires such as those on motorhomes or tow vehicles. With this in mind, lets get lookin at
those round, black things that are not a priority until they fail us and leave us flat.
Tire Rack, a well-known & respected online tire retailer, posted the following information on its website (http://
www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=219) :
There are differences in the driving requirements between the tires on your trailer and those on the car or light
truck you used to tow it. Therefore there are distinct differences between the way trailer tires and tow vehicle
tires are engineered.
Your tow vehicle is a leader, which means traction is a key focus in the design of its tires. Traction allows your
tow vehicle to accelerate down the road, turn around the corner and brake to a stop. Another important
consideration is tow vehicle tires are designed for ride comfort, which is achieved in part by allowing their
sidewalls to flex.
Your trailer is a follower, which often makes tire sidewall flexing a negative. Sidewall flexing on trailers,
especially those with a high center of gravity (enclosed/travel trailers) or that carry heavy loads, is a primary
cause of trailer sway. Typical passenger radial tires with flexible sidewalls can accentuate trailer sway problems.
The stiffer sidewalls and higher operating pressures common with Special Trailer (ST) designated tires help
reduce trailer sway.
Also consider that Special Trailer (ST), as well as Light Truck (LT) tires are fully rated for trailer applications.
This means ST- and LT-sized tires can carry the full weight rating branded on the sidewalls when used on a
trailer.
However when P-metric or Euro-metric tires are used on a trailer, the load capacity branded on the sidewalls
must be reduced by 9%. This means P-metric or Euro-metric tires with a maximum branded load rating of
1,874 lbs. for use on a car is only rated to carry 1,705 lbs. when used on a trailer.
Comparing the load capacities of a pair of tires of the same dimensions fitted to a single axle trailer,
ST225/75R15 Load Range C-sized tires inflated to their maximum of 50 psi provide 4,300 lbs. of load
capacity, where P225/75R15 Standard Load-sized tires inflated to their maximum of 35 psi would be limited to
3,410 lbs. of load capacity, a total reduction of 890 pounds.
Trailers will be more stable and pull better on tires designed specifically for trailer use. Since Special Trailer
(ST) tires are constructed with heavier duty materials, they are tougher than typical passenger vehicle tires. This
is a plus because trailer suspension systems are generally stiffer and less sophisticated than automotive
suspension systems.
Special Trailer (ST) Tire Speed Ratings:
Industry standards dictate tires with the ST designation are speed rated to 65 MPH (104 km/h) under normal
inflation and load conditions.
However Goodyear Marathon and Power King Towmax STR tires featuring the ST size designation may be
used at speeds between 66 and 75 mph (106 and 121 km/h) by increasing their cold inflation pressure by 10 psi
(69 kPa) above the recommended pressure for the rated maximum load.
Do not exceed the wheels maximum rated pressure. If the maximum pressure for the wheel prohibits the
increase of air pressure, then maximum speed must be restricted to 65 mph (104 km/h).
The cold inflation pressure must not exceed 10 psi (69 kPa) beyond the inflation specified for the maximum
load of the tire.
Increasing the inflation pressure by 10 psi (69 kPa) does not provide any additional load carrying capacity.
Discount Tire, a major tire retailer, provides their slant on trailer tires in their website article (http://
m.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTrailerTireFacts.dos) :
Trailer Tire Applications
Trailers Tires: They Aint Purdy but theyre uglier when flat! copyright Chris Mendola, Feb 2015, www.thriftytravel.info
Trailer tires are designed for use on trailer axle positions only. They are not built to handle the loads applied
to, or the traction required by, drive or steering axles.
Inflation
Always inflate trailer tires to the maximum inflation indicated on the sidewall.
Check inflation when the tires are cool and have not been exposed to the sun.
If the tires are hot to the touch from operation, add three psi to the max inflation.
Underinflation is the number one cause of trailer tire failure.
Load Carrying Capacity
All tires must be identical in size for the tires to properly manage the weight of the trailer.
The combined capacity of the tires must equal or exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of the axle.
The combined capacity of all of the tires should exceed the loaded trailer weight by 20 percent.
If the actual weight is not available, use the trailer GVW. If a tire fails on a tandem axle trailer, you should
replace both tires on that side. The remaining tire is likely to have been subjected to excessive loading.
If the tires are replaced with tires of larger diameter, the tongue height may need to be adjusted to maintain
proper weight distribution.
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.
Storage
The ideal storage for trailer tires is in a cool, dark garage at maximum inflation.
Use tire covers to protect the tires from direct sunlight.
Use thin plywood sections between the tire and the pavement.
For long term storage, put the trailer on blocks to take the weight off the tires. Then lower the air pressure
and cover the tires to protect them from direct sunlight.
Maintenance
Clean the tires using mild soap and water.
Do not use tire-care products containing alcohol or petroleum distillates.
Inspect the tires for any cuts, snags, bulges or punctures.
Check the inflation before towing and again before the return trip.
Keys to Avoiding Trouble
Make sure your rig is equipped with the proper tires.
Maintain the tires meticulously.
Trailers Tires: They Aint Purdy but theyre uglier when flat! copyright Chris Mendola, Feb 2015, www.thriftytravel.info
Replace trailer tires every three to five years, whether they look like they're worn out or not.
Trailer Tire Warranty
The Carlisle trailer tire warranty applies to the original purchaser for three years from the date of purchase
or until the tread depth reaches 3/32".
The OE (original equipment) warranty goes into effect at the time of the trailer purchase.
Now what? The abundance of information provided above certainly adds to your checklist of considerations in
the selection & care of trailer tires while, hopefully, dispelling some of the myths that circulate around rally campfire
conversations. But there are additional, important considerations regarding trailer tires
deteriorate internally, so the trailer owner has no means by which to inspect their physical condition by analyzing
them from the outside.
This internal breakdown results in sudden tire failure and usually at highway speeds. The tires tread blows out
and the sidewalls collapse causing a sudden loss in control. Even worse, sidewalls blow out and all or a portion of
the tread remains connected and youre now a sideshow performer watching your 3 to 4 anaconda whip around
at 50 miles-per-hour or more and ripping apart anything in its way: the trailers wheelwell, brake wiring, under-floor
plumbing, or whatever else it chooses to consume.
This is why tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires every 3-5 years. Ive heard suggestions of 5-7 years, but
have personally chosen to replace them at 5-year intervals no matter what the tread depth. Even then I may be
taunting my anacondas to attack my trailer.
When it comes to replacing trailer tires I always consider as truth the age-old adage pay me now or pay me later;
you can buy new tires when they get old enough or gamble on paying more to replace them AND the resulting
damage done when they reek havoc on your trailer.
One final comment on this very important topic of age: A close relative called me while driving to Florida, Can I
stop by the Mendola house of trailer repair? I just blew out a tire and its ripped out my plumbing and torn the
wiring from my trailer brakes. After two and one-half days of repair and parts acquisition we replaced two tires,
repaired portions of frame supports, replaced both brake assemblies & their wiring, and replaced all the plumbing
underneath the trailer. The cost? A few bucks short of $400 (with no charge for labor). The culprit? (Youve already
guessed.) Age. The owner was sure his tires couldnt have been 4 years old. Our investigation returned a
manufacture date of 6 years. Replacement at less than 5-year intervals is now his accepted norm. Of the $400
repair less than $175 was two new trailer tires including mounting, high speed spin balancing, new valve stems,
taxes and disposal fees. This means that about $225 in parts (remember, the labor costs were limited to two
luncheons as a thank you) was the penance paid for forgetting that age-old adage.
So the moral of the trailer tire story is Age before beauty.
#1
#2
Trailers Tires: They Aint Purdy but theyre uglier when flat! copyright Chris Mendola, Feb 2015, www.thriftytravel.info
But what if I dont know the date of my tires? How will I know when to replace them? The U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires that Tire Identification
Numbers be a combination of the letters DOT, followed by ten, eleven or twelve letters and/or numbers that
identify the manufacturing location, tire size and manufacturer's code, along with the week and year the tire was
manufactured. Since 2000, the week and year the tire was produced has been provided by the last four digits of
the Tire Identification Number with the 2 digits being used to identify the week immediately preceding the 2 digits
used to identify the year (see example #1 on previous page). In more modern years the manufacture date is often
seen as just 4 digits utilizing the same coding system as the other system (see example #2 on previous page).
In both cases shown above the tires date-of-manufacture is the last 4 digits of the DOT Tire Identification Number
(5107), which indicates that this particular tire was manufactured on the 51st week of the year 2007 (second last
week of December 2007). This coding system is used for all transport tires. If not visible, the tire may have been
mounted with the date code on the reverse side of the tire, so check there also.
But theres more to consider! So you know that your tires are old enough to be replaced but what age tires will
you buy? Wow, I didnt think of that either! Yep, your tire supplier may sell you tires that are already 1 or 2 years
old, in which case youre already halfway to needing replacements before youve even left the tire shop! This
phenomena isnt necessarily a hoax by tire store personnel because often they have no idea of the age of the tires
theyre selling. This is because auto tires are sold more often than trailer tires, so stock is rotated much more
frequently. Not only are trailer tires sold less often, most suppliers may not carry your exact size in stock; the more
odd your trailer tires size, the more probable your replacement tires will have to be ordered from a warehouse. In
many cases this time delay is only 1-2 days, but the local tire store has no idea of the age of the tires that theyll be
sent. So what to do? When I order tires I always inform the tire store, both verbally and in written form (a note with
my name, tire size, phone number and the days date) that I will not accept tires that are over 6 months old.
Period. I choose 6 months as an arbitrary date because if Im stuck in Moose Jaw, Wyoming I may have to accept
an 8-9 month old tire unless I want to establish temporary residence in this beautiful & scenic layover. In every
case of tire replacement Ive encountered I have always gotten tires with 6 months or less age.
(Note: This strategy should also be used in purchasing auto & RV batteries. Suppliers may try to sell you a new
battery that has been sitting in storage for 2-3 YEARS! Dont think so? Check the sticker on the battery for the
date of manufacture, e.g. 12/14 equals Dec. 2014 date-of-manufacture. I am unsure if the DOT or other
government agency requires a date code for batteries, but my battery supplier has stickers on their batteries and I
have refused batteries that are over 3 months old, especially if being replaced under warranty. IVE paid for the
warranty, its not a gift from the supplier, so Im entitled to a new battery, especially if Im paying toward the
replacement under a prorated replacement schedule.)
Trailers Tires: They Aint Purdy but theyre uglier when flat! copyright Chris Mendola, Feb 2015, www.thriftytravel.info
2) Two tires for an average A-frame folding camper, including mounting, balancing, taxes, etc., will run about $200.
Thats less than the cost of 3 nights in a decent motel. When compared to the cost of nightly camping youve
still got a great bargain by living in your camping trailer.
3) How much is your life worth? Several years ago I drove past an accident scene along the Florida Turnpike. A
camping trailer, being pulled by an heavy, older, full-size sedan, had blown a tire. The driver lost control of the
trailer-car combo (I probably couldnt have done better than he/she did) and the trailer went over the adjacent
bridge railing. The mass of the big sedan, plus a really good trailer hitch system, kept the trailer attached to the
car as the trailer dangled over the bridge railing above the traffic jam about 30 feet below. As we slowly drove
past in traffic I wondered how/if the owner would get that trailer back up onto the highway in operable condition.
Good tires probably would have kept that incident from occurring in the first place. And what if the tow car had
gone over with the trailer? Nightmares are made of such scenarios.
Tire maintenance: There are few steps in tire maintenance, so it shouldnt be a burdensome experience.
Cleaning Manufacturers recommend washing tires with simple soap & water. This reduces naturally occurring
ozone that causes rubber to become brittle which results in cracks that over time become wider and deeper and
eventually lead to tire failure. Some manufacturers recommend you not use tire dressing to enhance the
appearance of the tires (e.g. tire gloss sprays) if the dressing contains petroleum distillates or alcohol.
Trailers Tires: They Aint Purdy but theyre uglier when flat! copyright Chris Mendola, Feb 2015, www.thriftytravel.info
Tire pressure Checking & maintaining proper tire pressure is the most important step. I check my trailer tires
once every two weeks while trailering. Check tires when theyre cold. Re-read the Inflation notes above in the
article by Discount Tire these notes cover this topic in detail.
Though some tire manufacturers recommend inflating trailer tires to the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall
of the tire this may not always result in better tire wear. Why? Most trailers have springs (torsion or leaf springs)
but no shock absorbers (like autos have). Under certain conditions the 50 psi inflation rate may result in a tire
becoming hard and bouncing like a basketball when it hits a bump in the road. Repeated bouncing may lead to
distortion on the tire resulting in premature tire wear or failure. If an occasional visual check of the tire reveals
cupping or scalloping on the tread or edge of a tire have your tire checked for proper balancing. (You may have
lost a wheel weight.) If the tire is confirmed as being properly balanced then check your cold tire pressure. If its
at the maximum pressure drop the pressure 2-4 psi and see if the bouncing stops. But, because underinflation is a
major cause of tire failure, you need to see that your tires are running cool enough and thats an easy task. After
driving an hour or more at highway speeds, pull off the road at a safe location. Place your palm on top of the trailer
tires tread. If its so hot you cant hold your hand on the tread, then add 1-2 psi more tire pressure. If the tire is
warm or hot but you can still hold your hand on the tires tread without hurting your hand, then the pressure is OK.
Tire bounce can result in permanent distortion to a tire, which can lead to tire failure due to internal cord
separation. NOTE: If you experience no tires problems at the maximum inflation pressure recommended on your
tires sidewall avoid using the aforementioned technique as it is only for situations of continued tire bouncing.
Tire pressure gauges A good tire pressure gauge is also a necessary tool for your trailer trips. I carry a digital
tire pressure gauge in my car all the time. The cost was less than $9 (year 2015). I have found pencil gauges to
be quite inaccurate, so spend a few bucks to get an accurate gauge. The best gauge shouldnt run over $20 and
they often go on sale at big-box tire stores.
RV storage effects your trailers tires Several sources have noted that when storing your trailer for very long
periods if you have access place your trailer on steel jack stands and remove weight from the tires. Otherwise
long-term storage of your RV should include placing cardboard, plastic or plywood under your tires to keep them
from contact with the ground and materials especially those containing petroleum distillates or alcohol, or at least
place the tires upon wooden boards large enough so the entire contact patch of the tire will fit on them.
SUMMARY
Trailer tires are a part of camping and trailering, therefore trailer tires are unavoidable. Tire failure is an adventure
no one wants to experience but many of us will. There are things you can do to either avoid the experience or
lessen its impact upon your travel plans and your wallet. My best advice is to read this document again, and read it
prior to your next camping trip. I review this content at least once a year, especially before my annual 6-month
overland voyage in my Aliner land yacht. I find Im experiencing less tire problems when Im aware of the issues
and take pro-active steps to keep the bad things from happening. I hope you benefit from my research and
experiences.
Happy camping ! !
Mr. Chris Mendola holds both BSEd and MSEd degrees in Industrial Technology Education and has done extensive repairs,
maintenance, renovations & modifications to A-frame camping trailers along with the design and manufacture of A-frame trailer safety
kits. Both he and his wife, Sally, have presented on various travel topics at RV rallies. Chris has also restored & customized several
mid-1950 and late-1960 automobiles and is currently the president of a Central Florida diesel car club where he does almost all his own
repairs. Chris can be contacted at (email) thriftytravelers@cox.net . We also encourage you to visit our website (www.thriftytravel.info)
for other RV- and travel-related information including thousands of POIs (Points-Of-Interest) categorized by state & province, archived
travel newsletters, Tips & Tech RV topics, and detailed information on available A-frame trailer kits.
Trailers Tires: They Aint Purdy but theyre uglier when flat! copyright Chris Mendola, Feb 2015, www.thriftytravel.info