Loco
Well-known member
I think alot can be learn from this
RADIAL VS. BIAS PLY
One old wives' tale has it that you should never put radial tires on a trailer. The sidewalls on radials, the tale goes, are too soft, allowing the trailer to squirm all over the road. Conventional bias ply tires are the way to go. . . or are they?
While radials were frowned upon at one time, today there is wide-spread acceptance of these tires. Which should you use? The decision hinges on your towing style, according to Ray Evans, executive vice president for engineering, marketing and sales of Titan Tire Corp. in Mogadore, Ohio. "While it is true that a bias-ply tire can provide more side-to-side stability than a radial, a bias ply also runs hotter than a radial," said Evans. "If you are pulling a heavy load, and need an extra measure of stability, use a bias ply." "On the other hand, if you do a lot of long-distance towing with a relatively light load at high speeds, the radial design may be better for you because it stays cooler than a bias ply," he said. The cooler the tire stays, the less it will fatigue.
IDENTIFY THE LOAD RANGE
The most critical factor in choosing a trailer tire is load range. You can find the load range molded into the sidewall of every tire. For towing, look for C, D and E load ranges. Load ranges are based on specific inflation pressures. With a higher inflation pressure, the tire can carry more weight. Therefore, a load-range C tire is at its peak load capacity when inflated to its maximum pressure of 50 psi. In range D, you need to be at 65 psi to handle the increased load capacity. Load-range E tires must be set at 80 psi.
Trailer Tire Load Limits (in lbs.) at Various Inflation Pressures PSI 35 50 65 80 ST115/80/13 880 (B) 1100 (C) ST165/80/13 990 (B) 1230 (C) ST175/80/13 1100 (B) 1360 (C) ST185/80/13 1200 (B) 1480 (C) ST195/80/14 1320 (B) 1610 (C) ST205/80/14 1430 (B) 1760 (C) 2040 (D) ST215/80/14 1520 (B) 1870 (C) ST205/75/15 1480 (B) 1820 (C) 2150 (D) ST225/75/15 1760 (B) 2150 (C) 2540 (D) 2840 (E) ST215/80/16 1820 (B) 2200 (C) 2600 (D) 2910 (E) ST235/80/16 2090 (B) 2600 (C) 3000 (D) 3420 (E) This table (above) shows the relationship between air pressure and load capacity for popular sizes of trailer tires. The capacities apply equally to radial and bias ply versions. The letters following some capacities indicate the load range.
In order to select the proper load range, you must first weigh your trailer fully loaded. This means full of water, LPG and gear. Go to a truck stop or public scale and weigh the entire rig. While you are there, weigh each axle separately. This will let you know if you have exceeded the tow rating of your tow vehicle or are overloading one of the trailer axles.
There are other considerations in picking ST tires. For the trailer tires to manage the weight, all must be identical. Do not mix bias and radials tires. What's more, the load range and size of each tire should be the same. And each should have the same amount of tread wear. This becomes critical when replacing a tire.
When replacing a single tire, always run the same size outside diameter tires on the same axle. A smaller- diameter tire will carry more weight, and may become overloaded.
After a blowout on a tandem-axle trailer, you should replace both tires on that side. The remaining tire was likely subjected to excessive loading and, as a consequence, may fail in the near future.
MAINTENANCE TIPS
When a trailer is in long-term storage, there are steps you can take to add life to the tires.
MAXIMUM PSI?
As indicated earlier, maximum load range is attained only when the tire is at its maximum air pressure. Yet, should you maintain maximum pressure even if you are towing below the load range of the tires? Tire manufacturers differ on this point. "You should maintain the maximum pressure at all times," says Carlisle's Garbarino. "There is no advantage to taking air out of the tire. With maximum pressure, the tire will perform and wear better, and you will get better mileage. Reduce the psi, and you compromise the functionality of the tire."
Titan Tire's Evans feels differently. "If you want a little softer ride, drop the psi a bit," he says. However, he cautions that: "They have to know the actual load."
"Trailer owners should set the pressure according to the load," says Goodyear's Fry, who provided the tire pressure vs. load chart that accompanies this story. "Yet, this is not easy to do without weighing the trailer."
"Once the weight is accurately determined, the pressure should be set when the tire is cold, not when it is hot."
All the manufacturers agree on one point: If you do not know the exact weight of your trailer, keep the ST tires at the maximum cold psi.
Based on updated thinking, there are ultimately three keys to avoiding tire trouble while towing: (1) Make sure your rig is equipped with the proper tires: (2) maintain the tires meticulously: and (3) replace trailer tires every three to five years, whether they look like they're worn out or not.
As my grandfather used to say, take care of your equipment, and it will take care of you.
Author: Robert Eckhardt, reproduced with permission from Camping Life.
America's Family Camping Magazine, July/August 2001
RADIAL VS. BIAS PLY
One old wives' tale has it that you should never put radial tires on a trailer. The sidewalls on radials, the tale goes, are too soft, allowing the trailer to squirm all over the road. Conventional bias ply tires are the way to go. . . or are they?
IDENTIFY THE LOAD RANGE
The most critical factor in choosing a trailer tire is load range. You can find the load range molded into the sidewall of every tire. For towing, look for C, D and E load ranges. Load ranges are based on specific inflation pressures. With a higher inflation pressure, the tire can carry more weight. Therefore, a load-range C tire is at its peak load capacity when inflated to its maximum pressure of 50 psi. In range D, you need to be at 65 psi to handle the increased load capacity. Load-range E tires must be set at 80 psi.
Trailer Tire Load Limits (in lbs.) at Various Inflation Pressures PSI 35 50 65 80 ST115/80/13 880 (B) 1100 (C) ST165/80/13 990 (B) 1230 (C) ST175/80/13 1100 (B) 1360 (C) ST185/80/13 1200 (B) 1480 (C) ST195/80/14 1320 (B) 1610 (C) ST205/80/14 1430 (B) 1760 (C) 2040 (D) ST215/80/14 1520 (B) 1870 (C) ST205/75/15 1480 (B) 1820 (C) 2150 (D) ST225/75/15 1760 (B) 2150 (C) 2540 (D) 2840 (E) ST215/80/16 1820 (B) 2200 (C) 2600 (D) 2910 (E) ST235/80/16 2090 (B) 2600 (C) 3000 (D) 3420 (E) This table (above) shows the relationship between air pressure and load capacity for popular sizes of trailer tires. The capacities apply equally to radial and bias ply versions. The letters following some capacities indicate the load range.
In order to select the proper load range, you must first weigh your trailer fully loaded. This means full of water, LPG and gear. Go to a truck stop or public scale and weigh the entire rig. While you are there, weigh each axle separately. This will let you know if you have exceeded the tow rating of your tow vehicle or are overloading one of the trailer axles.
There are other considerations in picking ST tires. For the trailer tires to manage the weight, all must be identical. Do not mix bias and radials tires. What's more, the load range and size of each tire should be the same. And each should have the same amount of tread wear. This becomes critical when replacing a tire.
When replacing a single tire, always run the same size outside diameter tires on the same axle. A smaller- diameter tire will carry more weight, and may become overloaded.
After a blowout on a tandem-axle trailer, you should replace both tires on that side. The remaining tire was likely subjected to excessive loading and, as a consequence, may fail in the near future.
When a trailer is in long-term storage, there are steps you can take to add life to the tires.
- Put the trailer on blocks to take weight off the tires.
- Lower the air pressure.
- Keep the tires covered to protect them from the sun's ultraviolet light.
As indicated earlier, maximum load range is attained only when the tire is at its maximum air pressure. Yet, should you maintain maximum pressure even if you are towing below the load range of the tires? Tire manufacturers differ on this point. "You should maintain the maximum pressure at all times," says Carlisle's Garbarino. "There is no advantage to taking air out of the tire. With maximum pressure, the tire will perform and wear better, and you will get better mileage. Reduce the psi, and you compromise the functionality of the tire."
Titan Tire's Evans feels differently. "If you want a little softer ride, drop the psi a bit," he says. However, he cautions that: "They have to know the actual load."
"Trailer owners should set the pressure according to the load," says Goodyear's Fry, who provided the tire pressure vs. load chart that accompanies this story. "Yet, this is not easy to do without weighing the trailer."
"Once the weight is accurately determined, the pressure should be set when the tire is cold, not when it is hot."
All the manufacturers agree on one point: If you do not know the exact weight of your trailer, keep the ST tires at the maximum cold psi.
Based on updated thinking, there are ultimately three keys to avoiding tire trouble while towing: (1) Make sure your rig is equipped with the proper tires: (2) maintain the tires meticulously: and (3) replace trailer tires every three to five years, whether they look like they're worn out or not.
As my grandfather used to say, take care of your equipment, and it will take care of you.
Author: Robert Eckhardt, reproduced with permission from Camping Life.
America's Family Camping Magazine, July/August 2001
