Trailer tire longevity?

[Cape taco12]

As others have posted a quality spare is ideal. Multiple tire failures at once is more indicative of hitting a roadway hazard than anything else, even if tires are in bad shape.

I have had to deal with a ton of people with poorly maintained trailers and vehicles hitting public roadways and causing mayhem. The vast majority of trailers causing real problems have been failures of wheel bearings, axles or leaf springs. Some unsecured loads and a few speed demons at a rotary or off-ramp.

I can’t think of any bad incidents I saw caused by flat trailer tires as the failure is much less catastrophic (the potential is still there.) Most with flats are able to get safely well off the roadway, or are able to drag it via 4low upon request from the roadway to avoid the mandatory expedited tow. But a tow will probably cost more than a set of new tires…

if you inspect your tires and see signs of dry rot or cracking it’s not worth the risk or even the potential towing bill. If all 4 are clean, crack free and still round without major flat spots I wouldn’t be worried.

I got my 4 trailer tires replaced recently for about $100 each, which is relatively cheap piece of mind. I check my bearings before any real trip or long period of sitting. I also keep a can of rust-oleum and a wire brush in the trailer box to hit any spots of rust that pop up.

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[MrJeep]

So as an update my local tire shop made me a deal I couldn't refuse. One of the tires really was shot and had a slow leak probably from dry rot. So I replaced them for less than $400 and they will be stored in a barn so I'll give myself the 7-8 year range before replacing again. Thanks for all the responses!

 

[bd100]

For a camping trailer damage from a blowout can get pretty nasty, with the belt whipping at the insides of the trailer. More to repair than just a fender. So be conservative with those.

 

[MrJeep]

For a camping trailer damage from a blowout can get pretty nasty, with the belt whipping at the insides of the trailer. More to repair than just a fender. So be conservative with those.

That was also a consideration. The fenders on this trailer were in horrible shape from previous blowouts. I replaced them with thinner and lighter ones that def would not survive a blowout!

 

[Jobofly]

Every year we buy a new travel trailer. They all come with china bombs on them. I replace them immediately with 8 play highly rated tires. To me its not worth chancing it because a blown tire can ruin a camping weekend.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

they will be stored in a barn so I'll give myself the 7-8 year range before replacing again.

Just make sure there's no "crap" in the barn and it's not next to any electrical equipment.
Out of the sunlight, away from acids (from urine and chicken poo) they should last fine.


I had a tire start to come apart on a small camper I had- didn't notice it until another motorist pulled up alongside me on I80, honked, and pointed back to my trailer.
I pulled over and the tread was coming loose and slapping the fender area. Looking in the mirrors I couldn't see that part of the tires, the sidewalls looked fine. I limped it home from there (only about 20 miles or so, so not too bad, going slow)

 

[Gren71]

Every year we buy a new travel trailer. They all come with china bombs on them. I replace them immediately with 8 play highly rated tires. To me its not worth chancing it because a blown tire can ruin a camping weekend.

What do you replace them with? Im nearing the second year of this TT and haven’t really researched tires for it. We put a couple thousand on the stock set last year and will probably do the same this year

 

[MrJeep]

Just make sure there's no "crap" in the barn and it's not next to any electrical equipment.

Clean enough, dark enough?? /s :D
The tractor and the atvs live in the basement now since I got all the vintage farm equipment to better homes. Still have a early 1900's potato planter if anyone wants it!

 

[bd100]

As for what kind of tire to use, for a lighter single axle trailer some may fit an LT truck tire. Many off-road versions come with them stock. Being a single axle, you don't have as any concern about twisting them off the rim, which a double axle is more prone to do and thus special ST tires with strong side walls. The LT tire can run to 90mph, easy to find made in USA, can carry the load, etc. Some people even use high load car tires, but I wouldn't.

 

[Blade1668]

Many more experienced drivers who tow have chimed in already but here's my take on it. How much do you value what is on the trailer. I had to replace T.T. tires in less than 3 years of manufacturing. Blown both out on trip to S. AL. in B-ham AL. due to S##### roads one way down then on way home with in 5 miles of where first one blown out. My old utility trailer is still running on original tires it's almost 20 years, most of it's use was hauling 4wheeler but a lot of trips hauling building materials too. It runs up to 90 psi tire pressure, was a 3/4 ton rated trailer. Now a 1000-1500 due to replacement axle "blown bearings and hub" bent axle too. A buddy borrowed and F###ed it up... ? Sold when I bought a new H.D. utility trailer, I've worn half the tread off of the tires already in about 1.5 years. I've seen people run tires until they blow, I don't.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Many more experienced drivers who tow have chimed in already but here's my take on it. How much do you value what is on the trailer. I had to replace T.T. tires in less than 3 years of manufacturing. Blown both out on trip to S. AL. in B-ham AL. due to S##### roads one way down then on way home with in 5 miles of where first one blown out. My old utility trailer is still running on original tires it's almost 20 years, most of it's use was hauling 4wheeler but a lot of trips hauling building materials too. It runs up to 90 psi tire pressure, was a 3/4 ton rated trailer. Now a 1000-1500 due to replacement axle "blown bearings and hub" bent axle too. A buddy borrowed and F###ed it up... ? Sold when I bought a new H.D. utility trailer, I've worn half the tread off of the tires already in about 1.5 years. I've seen people run tires until they blow, I don't.

When you haul stuff that can't be replaced at any cost - you do replace tires just because.
I had a right side trailer wheel bearing fail several years ago on my way into Cordova, Il.
I made it into the track grounds where it was making all sorts of racket and a couple of guys followed me to where I parked. I didn't notice it until just a short ways from the track.
I was lucky that the wheel stayed with me but it totally destroyed that end of that axle, the drum, etc. It had my 70 on it. A rarely optioned 25,000 original miles car - not one that could be replaced.

 

[Jobofly]

What do you replace them with? Im nearing the second year of this TT and haven’t really researched tires for it. We put a couple thousand on the stock set last year and will probably do the same this year

Good year endurance. They are the best for travel trailers.

 

[Blade1668]

When you haul stuff that can't be replaced at any cost - you do replace tires just because.
I had a right side trailer wheel bearing fail several years ago on my way into Cordova, Il.
I made it into the track grounds where it was making all sorts of racket and a couple of guys followed me to where I parked. I didn't notice it until just a short ways from the track.
I was lucky that the wheel stayed with me but it totally destroyed that end of that axle, the drum, etc. It had my 70 on it. A rarely optioned 25,000 original miles car - not one that could be replaced.

My trailer bearings and hub failed just down the road from the land I bought luckily on last loads of my cleaning our a storage unit I had rented. Actually I would have just replaced the axle with same rating one but mfg. wanted as almost as much as the trailer cost me when I bought it new... I definitely did get my money worth on it. New hubs, bearings, tires, and axle would have been more than I paid. ? "FYI" The trailer was a orphan model size great for hauling 2 4wheeler side by side across trailer. The buddy that f###edup my trailer I believe "used it as a car dolly" for his compact car that broke. Reason he kept telling me it was OK to leave at his house

On subject of blow out tires on T.T. I was traveling at low speeds (35-45 MPH) when both happened and sustained minor damage to my Scamp still. Traffic and construction in Birmingham AL is

Now on to O.P. good call and great getting a good deal on new tires. That's how I bought the utility trailer, a buddy of mine got out of Army and bought franchise store. As start up the trailer was part of initial shipment of stock, sat at store unsold no one wanted it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My trailer bearings and hub failed just down the road from the land I bought luckily on last loads of my cleaning our a storage unit I had rented. Actually I would have just replaced the axle with same rating one but mfg. wanted as almost as much as the trailer cost me when I bought it new... I definitely did get my money worth on it. New hubs, bearings, tires, and axle would have been more than I paid. ? "FYI" The trailer was a orphan model size great for hauling 2 4wheeler side by side across trailer. The buddy that f###edup my trailer I believe "used it as a car dolly" for his compact car that broke. Reason he kept telling me it was OK to leave at his house

Once I got it home, I set the trailer on stands and took the hubs off the other axle, and the other end of the toasted axle. I took the hubs off the other axle based on what I saw on the other end of the bad one. I sent the photos to PJ (I believe they are in Texas?) with a very polite email asking their opinion, told them it was the first time it had been out - I had just bought it that spring, what I was hauling (weight, etc.), and asked them what the cost was for a replacement axle - complete with hubs, drums, brakes, and so on. I figured, oh, boy - this is going to hurt.
They emailed me back saying "that's not good" and simply asked what my address was. I responded and didn't hear another word until later that week when a truck delivered a new axle assembly to my driveway - no charge.

Now on to O.P. good call and great getting a good deal on new tires.

I think when it's time for new tires on my Aluma, I will have to contact him and have him keep an eye out for tires for me LOL.

 

[Blade1668]

Once I got it home, I set the trailer on stands and took the hubs off the other axle, and the other end of the toasted axle.

I think when it's time for new tires on my Aluma, I will have to contact him and have him keep an eye out for tires for me LOL.

Here's how bad mine was when it failed on less than 36 miles trip. The overloading of it bent the axle, hauling less than 800 lbs (380 kg) no problems but hauling 3/4 it's limit did it in quickly.

The groove behind bearing race was when I started to replace axle stub, until I noticed the bending of axle tube. So some scrap metal to use in some project later. I should have noticed the bent axle when I got it back. A plus is where I got new trailer sells tire on rim ready to go for $106.°° each. Radial tires slightly higher. I should have probably went with them as many hwy and I-state miles it gets.

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