Taking on the rocky roads and muddy trails is impossible without the perfect set of wheels on your trailer.
Their extra sidewall thickness, the uniqueness of the tread style, and overall heavy-duty design are what set them apart from regular car or truck tires.
But with so many on the market, you might find yourself overwhelmed with choices to choose from.
To put your worries at ease, we’ve come up with this carefully reviewed list of 5 best trailer tires.
Go through our list of pros and cons to make sure you can be action-ready both on and off the beaten path.
Complete with a list of benefits, types, and buying guide, this article can be the perfect asset to arm you in your wheel-hunting quest to the market.
So, let’s see what it’s all about!
Table of Contents
Benefits of Trailer Tires
First things first, let’s look at the benefits you’d be getting from installing a trailer tire on your towing vehicle.
Long Lifespan
These tires are built to last, unlike your casual run-of-the-mill car wheels. Since they are meant for trailers, you can put them to all the rough uses without worrying about getting immediate replacements.
Be it agriculture, cargo transport, or light marine applications- these tires will pull through.
Heavy-weight Champion?
Presenting to you the heavy-weight champion of tires, the addition that most definitely won’t weigh you down on the road- trailer wheels.
There’s an apparent reason why we say this is a list of the best heavy-duty trailer tires.
And that’s simply because these hot-wheels are great at handling high weights.
Their max weight capacity is usually a lot more, making them perfect for carrying goods in bulk.
Safe to Roll
Since these have lesser rolling resistance, you’ll get better performance on the road plus lesser fuel costs as your engine doesn’t have to tow the vehicle harder for faster drives.
On top of all that, it’s much safer to use trailer-specific tires as they’re less likely to a blowout.
The good trailer tires for heavy loads are designed to hold up against all the stress of the rough roads.
Best Trailer Tires Review
Now it’s time to take a closer look at the product reviews and see all their pros and cons in detail.
Set of 4 New Premium Trailer Tires ST 175/80R13 6PR
The first product we reviewed in this set of four wheels is from the brand Grand Ride.
These tires are premium quality with a great price point. Since they’ve been designed especially for trailers, you can count on them to be both safe and durable.
Tire specifications for this include a power towing pattern, 13 inches of rim diameter, and an overall 24 inches diameter.
Although this weighs 18 pounds, it has a maximum weight capacity of 1350 pounds, which is more impressive. Of course, the tire’s air pressure has to be at 50 psi to handle this load.
Besides, since this has a tread depth of 0.29 inches with a nylon cap ply, it’s both safe and heavy-duty for use.
Unlike most tires in stores with a nylon strip over the shoulder region, this one has an overlay covering the entire area of the tread. This is often seen in passenger grade tires as a critical safety measure.
Whether you are planning a trip from Alaska to Florida or want to take on the wild west’s ranch roads in Texas, this set of four will definitely be up for the challenge.
They can live as much as 17 thousand miles and given their load range of C, even more, if you’re careful.
Easy to install and easy to air up to 65 psi, these will be a breeze to use for any rough-road enthusiast.
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CONS
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Carlisle Radial Trail HD Trailer Tire-ST205/75R15 107M 8-ply
If you live in a hot and humid part of the world, chances are you’re always worried about heat resistance on your tires. For greater resistance to heat, check out this one from Carlisle Paddles.
It’s affordable and well-built, keeping all the quirks of its users in mind. With a high load capacity of 2150 and excellent durability, this is one product totally worth checking out.
This has a really good tread pattern along with smaller wave marks for better road grip.
You can have it fit your vehicle specifically. Since the tread wear has been improved, it doesn’t need airing often either.
Weighing 20 pounds, this is definitely in the heavier category of this list. But the good thing is, more weight on the tire’s body means more weight holding capacity.
So, if moving cargo or carrying a heavy bulk load of goods is what you do with your trailer, this should be just fine. We consider this a really big bang for the buck.
These are feel-good tires that track and brake well. You can use them on both wet and dry roads without worries.
Their high-temperature resistance and lower friction make them lesser prone to blowouts. So, it’s a big yes from us if you’re considering getting them.
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Related guide: Best 285/55 R20 Tires
Transeagle ST Radial II Steel Belted Premium Trailer Tires- TSL10
These Transeagle steel-belted tires come in the set of four. It has an even higher max weight capacity than the previous two we discussed.
Moreover, its compatibility with many of the top trailer brands makes it a hot choice for many drivers. But what’s all the fuss about?
Firstly, it’s got a good tread depth of 0.24 inches with just the right concentration of tread markings all over.
Due to this, it has excellent road performance and can handle a lot of stress. But it also means the tires are sturdier and stiffer.
This product can be installed easily on trailers as heavy as 9,300 pounds or even 10,000.
Each tire’s maximum load capacity is 2469 pounds, which is more than enough for carrying cargo with the most popular utility trailers out there.
It’s worth mentioning that the tires weigh 54 pounds and need a bit of effort to install it.
You can pump these up to 80 psi air pressure. The internal tire type on these is tubeless.
For some, the fact that these come banded will be a bit concerning. But we suggest you use some wood pieces as wedges between sidewalls and let it sit in the sun for a while. After that, you should have no trouble getting them to fit the rim.
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Related Guide: ATV/UTV Tires Reviews
Weize Set of 2 ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire
When you take care of things, they last. Sometimes, it’s just not enough since what you’re buying is meant to be used roughly and abused often. That, however, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice durability.
So, we’ve included this product from Weize in our list of the high-quality trailer tire reviews for those who prioritize longevity.
This is a radial construction tire that’s got a nylon cap cover over the entire tread. So, it prevents tread separation- making it last longer and wear slower.The double steel bed construction makes them even more durable.
Keeping in mind the connection of heat retainment and even wearing treads, the company has designed the shoulders on this with excellent heat dissipation.
What’s more, the cords on this are made of double polyester. You can say that it’s been built to specialize in long-term service over most other factors.
Tread depth on these is 6.6 millimeters, which are not as deep as some others.
But the high quality of its construction and maximum load capacity of 2039 pounds makes up for this lacking.
Overall, this is an excellent value for the money, both in terms of lifespan and service quality.
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2 New Premium Trailer Tires ST 175/80R13
We’d like to talk about one of our budget-friendly favorites from the Grand Ride brand coming down to our final pick.
These premium trailer wheels with 6 ply rating and a C grade load range are a great match for both personal and commercial vehicles.
You can make them your own if you want the convenience of high-end tires but on a budget.
For campers and road-trip fans, these tires are going to be a breath of fresh air.
Usually, saving a few bucks for RVs and boat trailer tires only means trouble in the long run.
But with this one, you get to save and get some good wear and use out of what you buy.
These beefy tires have treads that are both quiet and push out water on the wet rain-poured road.
As they have a good grip, you can safely use them on muddy trails as well. Each tire weighs 35 pounds and has a max weight capacity of 1360 pounds.
This is, of course, when the pressure is just right, which in this case is 50 psi.
As these are designed specifically for trailers, they will be easy to install with basic hand tools.
There might be some issues with dry cracking, but if you treat them with 303, it won’t hinder durability. Overall, in the cheap price range, these are the best deal out there.
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Things to Consider Before Buying
There are many types of trailer tires in the market. You should choose a type depending on your needs.
Here are some things you should consider before making your purchase.
The Right Fit
The most important thing to consider when buying these is the size that will fit on your trailer. Generally, the size of the tire can be found on the sidewall.
You can observe a combination of numbers and letters right above the phrase “For Trailer use Only” on the sidewall. The combination refers to the appropriate tire size of your trailer.
For example, the combination will look something like “ST225/5R15” where “ST” stands for Special Tire, which means that it is intended for trailer use only. The number “225” is the tire tread width in millimeters, and “75” represents the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the tire width.
And last but not least, “R” means that it’s a radial tire that mounts on a “15” cm rim. Your trailer tire combination might be shorter if you own a smaller trailer.
Load Rating
Trailer tires also vary depending on the load it’s meant to bear. Every tire has a load range.
The tire’s load range is usually labeled on the sidewall as the maximum weight each tire can haul.
Most trailer tires have their load range labeled as B, C, D, or E. Suppose you have a single-axle trailer and your tire load range is C; this means that each tire can bear 1820 pounds or 2640 pounds in total.
Furthermore, maximum weight capacity includes the weight of the trailer itself.
If you have a double axel trailer, you must subtract 12% from the load range to maximum capacity.
You must also be aware of the load rating, which is printed on the sidewall. This rating is the maximum weight a tire can handle when completely inflated.
Utility Calls
Before investing in some wheels, consider what your utility calls are. If you intend to use your ride for short trips on back roads, a set of bias tires would be perfect. On the other hand, a set of radial tires is well suited for longer trips.
You should also be aware of the weight you’re putting on your tires. It would be unfortunate to have them rendered useless because it will fail to carry the load you require.
The trick is to be realistic with your expectations. After all, there’s no point in buying top tier radial wheels and using the trailer only once.
More Weight?
Besides the trailer itself, the weight of the things you put inside it puts extra load on the tires.
Hence, you need to purchase a product that exceeds the rating and weight limit you need.
It’s wiser to spend an extra on trailer tires with a more significant maximum weight than to risk ruining your trip.
Durability
It’s pretty annoying having to keep replacing old tires with new ones. So, make sure to purchase the ones which are known for their durability.
Investing in a set of long-lasting items instead of buying cheap ones is cost-effective in the long run.
Besides, you won’t face any safety issues with better tires. After all, the safety of you and your family matters more than saving a few dollars.
Strength of the Sidewalls
For a delightful trailer experience, you require trailer tires with strong sidewalls that can withstand maximum pressure.
Low-quality tires will end up ruining your trip because they can fold under high pressure.
So, you need to learn enough about trailer tires so that you don’t make the mistake of buying low-quality tires.
Your Ideal Type!
Two types of trailer tires are intended for different purposes. They are radial and bias trailer tires.
Each of them has its pros and cons. Therefore, before making a purchase, you should consider the type of tire you need to have an incredible trailer experience.
Radial tires are superior to bias trailer tires but are generally more expensive. These tires are well suited for long road trips.
On the flip side, bias tires are cheaper and can carry heavier loads than radial tires.
The pros and cons of both types of tires have been discussed in detail in this article.
Types of Trailer Tires
Knowing what the products are like and which features make them the best is not enough.
You should have some idea of the product’s types and what are available in stores.
And when it comes to tires for trailers, there are mainly two types which we’ve discussed here.
Radial Tires
Just like the name suggests, these have a radial construction. That means their plies run across the tire’s body perpendicularly. The pros of these types of wheels are that-
• They don’t overheat and stay cooler even after long-time usage.
• Their footprints are wider.
• These give a smooth performance on the road, thanks to lesser rolling friction.
Bias Ply Tire
For angular plies (30° angle), you can go for this type of tires. Their unique crosshatch design makes them popular with many drivers.
These tires have construction that provides stronger sidewalls and is more capable of being used in agriculture or in fifth wheels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under good storage circumstances, these wheels should be replaced every 5-6 years after they’ve been mounted to the vehicle.
The best way to avoid cracking is to use non-petroleum-based cleaning products.
You can opt for plain soap and water to get your tires nice and shiny again.
It’s suggested to do so because if the tires aren’t inflated to their maximum air pressure capacity, it significantly reduces the max weight it can carry.
Besides, there’s a risk of the sidewalls being damaged or overheated when loads are being carried otherwise.
It’s not necessary, because unlike passenger car tires, they are designed to withstand vertical loads.
The top priority of trailer wheels isn’t gripping the vehicle for turns but for supporting weight.
In experts’ opinions, 195-degree Fahrenheit is the standard max heat a tire can withstand without worries at all.
When it goes above 250 degrees, it will start affecting the tire’s lifespan and lead to tread reversion.
Final Words
Don’t hesitate- grab your trailer tires and head out into the wilderness! Our list of the top-rated trailer tires will surely come in handy to pave the way for all the happy campers out there.