Comparing Benefits of Bias Ply vs. Radial Type Trailer Tires

Updated 09/25/2015 | Published 09/24/2015

Question:

Why choose a radial vs. a bias trailer tire?

asked by: Scott

Helpful Expert Reply:

Each type of trailer tire, bias ply or radial construction, offers certain advantages and in some circumstances one will be a better choice than the other.

A bias ply tire has a stiffer sidewall than a radial, a feature that might be useful for off road applications like farm use and for very heavy loads. On the other hand, a radial tire flexes more than a bias tire, which gives it better ground contact, better traction, stability, and tread wear. For highway use radials are often preferred. These characteristics come from the tires' construction. The cords inside a bias ply tire run at a 32 degree angle to the direction of travel, and the cords on a radial tire run at a 90 degree angle to the direction of travel, or across the tire from wheel lip to wheel lip.

We offer both types of trailer tires, on their own and pre-mounted on wheels, in a range of sizes and weight carrying capacities. The linked page will let you choose the type, size and weight rating you need. Just click on the filters to choose the characteristics you need. For example, for a ST205/75-14 radial in Load range D, you can use Kenda tire # AM10235 which offers a 2040-lb load capacity per tire at 65-psi pressure.

Any trailer tire should always be inflated to the maximum psi pressure as noted on the tire sidewall.

I have linked several articles on trailer tires and wheels that may be of interest to you.

expert reply by: Adam R