trailer tires. bias vs radial

bustout · Post by **bustout** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 10:03 am

which is best for towing a tandem axle boat trailer?

can you run bias on 1 axle and radial on the other?

Marty · Post by **Marty** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 12:20 pm

I don’t have tandem but I did change out my bias tires with radial and the differences is real noticeable. With the bias I would look in the real view and see my boat jump up with every little bump. With radials the jumping has stopped. Also the trailer seem to tract better. One last thing – it only cost about $5 more per tire for radials.

calfisher71 · Post by **calfisher71** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:11 pm

You can use either as long as they meet the load requirement of your boat fully loaded.

Bias due tend to hop more.

Radial will be a much better ride.

I recommend replacing trailer tires every 2 years regardless of tread worn.

These tires are all made in china now. even Goodyears.

Been in the Tire industry now over 20 years!

Robb R · Post by **Robb R** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:14 pm

I am no expert in tires , but did just replace a set on my single axle for the second time .
I stayed with Bias ply . The tires had less than 5K miles but were almost 6 years old .
I had read that regardless of miles , replace them every 5 years . The interesting thing was how they wore
differently . One looked slightly worn , the other looked really bad ---uneven wear , cupping etc..
I talked with the guy at the shop, he said that all trailers made don't track well. Causes tires to wear uneven .
Darn glad I switched them out . If I had gone by the way they "looked" I am sure I would have had a blowout
on the road.
Tight lines ,
Robb

whazup · Post by **whazup** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 12:31 pm

calfisher71 wrote:You can use either as long as they meet the load requirement of your boat fully loaded.

Bias due tend to hop more.

Radial will be a much better ride.

I recommend replacing trailer tires every 2 years regardless of tread worn.

These tires are all made in china now. even Goodyears.

Been in the Tire industry now over 20 years!

Given that all tires are "made in China", and given your experience, what trailer tire would you recommend? I am looking hard at a set of Carlisle.

calfisher71 · Post by **calfisher71** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 12:23 am

we sell alot of carlisle, some people love them and some people dont have good luck with them.

Tow-Master seems to hold up the best for a tire made in china.

I have a dealer in angels camp and all his ranch customers and Boat owner customers are having the best luck with this brand.

I have hi-runs they are doing well, but in 2 years I yank them off.

No fun getting separations in route to a event.

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 6:47 am

Why do trailer tire separate, but car and truck tires don't?

FISHIN · Post by **FISHIN** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 7:45 am

Goodyear HMG 2020 is the best tire I have tried. It is the tire UHaul uses on there trailers. Americas Tire got them for me and I could not be any happier.

Delaney · Post by **Delaney** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 10:25 am

Used to work for an RV co. Was told that with trailers bias ply tire stood up better against scuffing that occurs when trailers with out shocks bounce up and down on the road. I think scuffing is side ways movement that stresses the sidewall of the tire. Since then the tire companies have come out with "trailer radials" that I think is to overcome this problem. Personally, I think the bouncing up and down without shocks is the main problem, made worse by low tire pressure, regardless the tpe of tire.

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 7:07 am

Delaney wrote:Used to work for an RV co. Was told that with trailers bias ply tire stood up better against scuffing that occurs when trailers with out shocks bounce up and down on the road. I think scuffing is side ways movement that stresses the sidewall of the tire. Since then the tire companies have come out with "trailer radials" that I think is to overcome this problem. Personally, I think the bouncing up and down without shocks is the main problem, made worse by low tire pressure, regardless the tpe of tire.

Thanks.