Benefits of Changing to Larger Diameter Radial Trailer Tires on Travel Trailer

Updated 07/16/2015 | Published 07/15/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Loadstar ST205/75D14 Bias Trailer Tire - Load Range C

(3847)

$104.85

Provider ST205/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range C

(1099)

$144.39

Question:

I have an ultra lite travel trailer that has 205/75-d14 bias ply and electric brakes on all. I want to switch to radials, but would the added weight of going up in size to a 205/75R15 have any negative effects on braking, fuel consumption, or anything else? Would it improve anything?

asked by: Mike

Helpful Expert Reply:

Changing to a larger diameter radial tire from a smaller bias ply type can offer several advantages. In general radial trailer tires run cooler than bias ply tires, especially when the tire is under a load. A tire that runs cooler will last longer. A bias ply tire has a stiffer sidewall than a radial, a feature that might be useful for off-road applications, but for highway operation a radial tire will flex more, and provide better ground contact, traction, stability, and tread wear.

You should note better braking and smoother highway performance from a radial trailer tire (thanks to the better flex and ground contact) but you are not likely to find changes in mileage performance.

A ST205/75-15 tire will be about 1/2-inch larger in overall diameter than a ST205/75-14 so you'll need to check for wheel clearance. In most cases this modest size increase will be okay. You will also want to match your new wheel bolt pattern to the existing one.

I have linked you to our selection of ST205/75-15 tires, such as Taskmaster # TTWTRTM2057515C and to our page for pre-mounted wheel/tire combinations. You want to be sure you choose radial tires with the weight capacity (load range) appropriate for your trailer.

Trailer tires of any type should ALWAYS be inflated to their maximum psi rating as noted on the tire sidewall. It is never a good idea to over- or under-inflate a trailer tire. Tires deliver their rated performance only when inflated to their full psi pressure.

expert reply by: Adam R