Trailer Tire Choices

COLT · May 7, 2014

So here is the deal...

I run triple axle 7K trailer axles. Electric over hydro brake systems and pull really heavy. 16" wheels and a 235 85 16 tire. I have ran the firestone transforce as well as the hankook and loved the heck out of them both. I run over 120K a year on each trailer with combined axle weights of 20k on the trailer axles. I have never had a blow out or any type of problem with either of the aforementioned tires.

The problem..

Both of the tires above only have a weight rating of 3042 pounds. :gay:

I have tried the F rated Carlisles

uke:.....they suck, they actually have rotated on the wheel...as in they are not in the same mounted position they were installed in.. (Carlisle makes a "high end" F rated tire at 3900 lbs) The Firestone and the hankook can do the heck out of the job but the DOT man wants a tire rated for at least the maximum rated GVW of 21k on the axles.

If I had my choice I would stick with what I know, but to put it simply my luck is going to run out.

I need a tire that is 235 85 16 or 235 80 16 that has a weight rating of no less than 3500 pounds each that can do the job! I will not run a good year Marathon, they are spongy and wear out to quickly. A Good Year or Hankook G rated tire is only good for 33xx pounds. Can anyone tell me why the hell 7K axles come with a 16" rim and someone does not make a tire for it??

If such a beast is made please let me know so I can buy them.. I realize this is kind of petty and I could probably continue to "get away" with running a lighter tire.. Simply put, We haul super high value cargo from South Florida to Seattle and California. We charge a premium, and my customers boats deserve the correct equipment.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciative...

here is a picture of a loaded trailer

mitaker · May 7, 2014

Switch to a 17.5" wheel with H rated tires. Load ranges in the 4300# range running Continental tires. Should be able to keep essentially the same tire diameter.
I have also ran G rated tires for a 16" wheel with zero issues. They were an off brand (Samson??) I think. I ran those on a 14k dual axle trailer and put 25000 miles on it towing 15-16k on a regular basis.
If I were in your shoes I would seriously consider 17.5's if you can make them work.
My 2¢

Eddyj · May 7, 2014

I've switched to 17.5 with a 215 75 tire. I've been running Goodyear on my high end trailers and whatever the local tire guy can get a deal on, on my lower end trailers. I've been running them almost 4 years now and have had no blow outs. No bad wear. Also much more stable feel on my duel axle trailers. They are much easier to find now then a couple of years ago. My trailers are between 14500 and 19000 fully loaded duel axle.

98TJ · May 8, 2014

I don't know if Maxxis makes a trailer tire in the size you need, but I have had very good luck with them on my 7k lb car hauler. Yeh, I used to use only Marathon trailer tires. They sucks now and are worthless.

tallnate · May 8, 2014

From what I've researched in the past 17.5 wheels require 9/16" or larger wheel studs so you can just upgrade the hubs on your 7K axles to 8K hubs. This will allow you to run 17.5 wheel and tire options. But some 7k axles do come with 9/16" studs so if that's the case with yours, you may not even need to upgrade to the larger 8k hubs, just make sure the 17.5" wheels you run match your 7k hub flange. I have 17.5's on my trailer with load range H tires (120 psi) and they're rated at 4,950 lbs per tire.

SB406 · May 8, 2014

I did a lot of research on trailer tires last year when I built a new trailer. I started looking at everybody's haulers in the pits at race tracks and even at KOH.
What I found was that anybody who was real deal seemed to be running the Goodyear Unisteel G614 RST tires. The 235/85-16's are rated to 3750 Lbs. They are expensive, but they are a serious tire, and I think even marked regroovable on the sidewall. For what you're doing with high end loads, I'd look at those.

(By the way, for what I'm doing, I ended up running BFG Commercial tires, but they don't meet the weight rating you want.)

Mutt · May 8, 2014

Honestly even the HD 16" wheels are only rated up to 34xxlbs. Going to the heavier and rare hankook/goodyears is gonna make finding roadside matches a PITA should the need arrise.

Either switch to 17.5" tires, switch to duals, or consider adding a 4th axle on a air tag setup that can be lifted for empty transport.

Option D would be upgrade to a Medium duty 450/550/4500/5500 or even a small daycab semi and a real trailer with 17.5/19.5/22.5s

Its all up to your wallet.

COLT · May 8, 2014

I ended up with a firestone 265-75-16. 3415 load rating. I have NEVER blown a Firestone transforce and get 120-150 k out of them hauling heavy. I looked at the G rated goodyear tires and decided....well....I couldn't afford that much tire. I dig the F19 hankook that Gizmo is running on his rig but it is still a 3300lb rated tire, however I am sure that is a very conservative rating. Bottom line is I can't spend 350 per tire when I know a 190$ tire will do the job. (And do it better than most). The second worry I have is my suspension. Running a super hard tire on a three axle setup is hard on parts due to the side load when turning sharply. The Firestone's give well and are proven, not to mention give a little themselves on the sidewall. I run an equalizer setup, not torsion as torflex axles will not distribute a sailboat or deep keeled boats weight to all axles.

I'll let y'all know how they work out compared to the 235-85-16 Firestone's that only had a rating of 3042. Thx for the help to all!

Colt

COLT · May 8, 2014

Mutt said:
Its all up to your wallet.

^^^^you got that right!!!^^^ :dblthumb:

mitaker · May 8, 2014

Mutt said:
Honestly even the HD 16" wheels are only rated up to 34xxlbs.

Most of the steel 16" 8 lug trailer wheels that I've used are rated at 3750 pounds. I'm sure different manufacturers of essentially the same steel wheel could have different load ratings for one reason or another. :dunno:

74_Chevota · May 8, 2014

19.5" tires and wheels.

ONLY way to go. I just put a set on my trailer after having untold amount of issues with tires and have been VERY happy. Got the ones in the link below in flat black with tires already mounted. Bitches are crazy heavy but dont ever get hot, and are very quiet. even came balanced. Worth the cash IMO.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/19-5-Vision-81-Machined-Wheels-Tires-Horse-Trailer-Tow-8-Lug-8x6-5-8-Hole-725-/161286953147?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Wheels&hash=item258d7398bb&vxp=mtr

Eddyj · May 8, 2014

Damn I thought I was going over kill with the 17.5. Way to one up the thread.

patooyee · May 8, 2014

Get a hold of Jimmy / draggbody. We bought some load range F tires on trip when he had 4 blowouts and I had 3 on the way to HPO once. (Yes, we both replaced an entire set of trailer tires that trip.) It was some Chinese brand but they were affordable, fit a 16" rim, and have treated both trailers very well ever since. 110 psi made a huge difference.

jordan7118 · May 9, 2014

patooyee said:
Get a hold of Jimmy / draggbody. We bought some load range F tires on trip when he had 4 blowouts and I had 3 on the way to HPO once. (Yes, we both replaced an entire set of trailer tires that trip.) It was some Chinese brand but they were affordable, fit a 16" rim, and have treated both trailers very well ever since. 110 psi made a huge difference.

Interesting. 110 PSI on a 16" rim. Hot dang!

ibrokeit · May 9, 2014

Did I just pass you on 65N in Tennessee?

The-Boss · May 12, 2014

patooyee said:
Get a hold of Jimmy / draggbody. We bought some load range F tires on trip when he had 4 blowouts and I had 3 on the way to HPO once. (Yes, we both replaced an entire set of trailer tires that trip.) It was some Chinese brand but they were affordable, fit a 16" rim, and have treated both trailers very well ever since. 110 psi made a huge difference.

They are Solid Track Radials and are actually G rated. Good tires so far. Always haul heavy, fast, and long distance without a problem. http://www.heartlandtireandauto.com/Multi-Mile-Solid-Trac-Radial-TRL-Trailer-Tire-detail.htm?productId=16930589&ignoreMobile=1