Recommendations? I am due to replace...
I got Maxxis Bravos UE-168s after a ton of research(Maxxis UE-168(N) Bravo Series 205/R14C). Is your trailer a single or double axle? Mine is single so getting some that are rated over 65mph (which excludes all ST tires) was critical and enough load carrying capacity to not worry about it at all. Love them. Got this online, and mounted and balanced at my local garage.
Some threads on BBC on this topic.
http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=272471
http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=738845&highlight=trailer+tire
http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=739780&highlight=trailer+tire
If you plan on driving over 65 mpg I would not get ST tires. BCB puts car radials on their trailer, and most are double axles so the lower carrying weight is not as big a factor as on single axle.
I'm dual axle...
Currently P215/70R15 Cooper Cobras... Maxxis seems to be preferred by most...
Any name brand high end " S " or " T " speed rated radial car tire with a load range 92 - 95 will work well on the dual axle.
The Cooper Cobra with the 95 load range can carry 1521 lbs. per tire. On a tandem axle that is over 6000 pounds of carrying capacity, far more than you will ever carry.
215 - 70 - 15 size.
I've towed mine all over and got 10 years out of the first set. Billy longer than that, George also.
Factory tires on dual axles are the same.
Most tire failures are caused by insufficient air pressure, usually too low which heats up the tire, not many guys check the air pressure each time out.
I would avoid the OEM Cooper or Mastercraft. If you look on the BCB boards theres tons of threads with problems with those tires failing. Many of them very new tires. Maybe there are some defects in the newer batches?
The tires Mark mentioned have been getting tons of good remarks. The most important thing is the speed rating and load range. BCB has now switched to General tires. I have BFG on mine but will probably replace due to age next year.
I got Maxxis Bravos UE-168s from Pep Boys.
Just received my new tires too. Maxxis UE 168s/205/r14s. Read some really good things about them so fingers crossed!
Ran Marathons for the first 10 years with zero issues. One finally went 3 years ago. I did a ton of research and ended up getting Kuhmo 185's. One of them blewout a month ago on 95. Now I am running the D rated Carlisle. They were $50 on Amazon, bought 3. My trailer is a single axle. Its a roll of the dice anymore so i am going to chew through the cheap ones until a good pair stick! If you have a dual axle I would run a high weight car tire, they are made to better safety standards than these trailer tires.
My neighbor tows a 5th wheel all over the country and in his circles they call all these trailer tires "China Bombs". Eventually they just fail for no reason no matter what kinda care to give them.
I had the Carlisles on when my tread ripped off. Insurance Agent said that Carlisle has a ton of issues with their tires and recalls. I hope you have better luck than I dd!
I expect no luck at all! $51 they blow apart, $185 they blow apart. Funny I have never had a truck or car tire just disintegrate for no reason like these trailer tires do. A nail, a screw yes.....but never like the trailer tires. I am on my $51 experiment, next will be an E load truck tire if I can find one small enough. I swear BassCat has it right opting for car tires.
I hope none of us has issues!