Recommended Replacement Trailer Tires for 6x12 Utility Trailer

Updated 01/05/2016 | Published 01/03/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Kenda Karrier ST205/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire w/ 15" Silver Mod Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - LR D

(2775)

$186.40

Question:

I had some trouble using your FAQ questionsi dont think the whole message sent so im trying here. I have a 6x12 single axle enclosed cargo trailer that i purchased a couple of years ago for my wifes competitive dance team. Up till now, we havent had a spare i know playing with fire, but the distances that I would haul has been pretty shortmostly local. This year with he weight of some of the cargo, the weight on the trailer is getting close to the max GVWR. I want to get a spare tireandwheel incase one blows out while hauling the cargo. the tires/ wheel on the trailer indicate that the tire is a ST205/75D15/C tire on a 15inch 5 on 4 1/2 wheel. i have two questions, one - after looking through your tire and wheel combos, i do not understand the differences between themfor instance bias vs radial what do you recommend as a good spare? i was thinking - Taskmaster ST205/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire with 15inch Silver Mod Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - LR C Two - the tag on the trailer indicates it is a 2011 and i can only assumei am not the original owner that the tires have never been changed or any way to determine the number of miles on them. the treads look fine and there appears to be no unusual wear/marks on the tires. since there are so many unknowns about the trailer should i purchase 2 new wheelsandtires and use the current wheels as spare? I have a few pictures of the wheel and tire that i could send if that would help. Thank you. Thank you for your time.

asked by: Scott

Expert Reply:

Trailer tires typically have a lifespan of 5 to 6 years. This means that no matter how good the tread depth may be, no matter how few dry rot cracks you might see in the sidewall, you'll want to consider replacing the tires when they reach this age.

I do not recommend using one of your current tires as a spare but you can make that determination after careful inspection. Perhaps one of them is still good enough (for one more season anyway).

You do not want to mix tire types. Both should be either bias ply or radial construction. Radials tend to run cooler while bias ply tires tend to handle heavier loads better. You can use either tire type, in the appropriate load range for your trailer's GVWR. Note that using higher-rated tires does NOT increase the trailer's weight capacity but it DOES let those tires run a bit cooler. Each tire type has certain advantages depending on the application. The linked article will detail further.

The Taskmaster tire/wheel # TA53VR is a bias ply 205/75-15 tire mounted on a 15-inch rim with 5-on-4-1/2 bolt pattern. This combination has a rated maximum weight capacity of 1820-lbs at 50-psi pressure. Since you indicated you do mostly local driving I think the radial will give you better performance. Since your current tires are D-rated you might want to stay with a D-rated radial like one of those shown on the linked page, such as Kenda # AM32418DX.

Always be sure that trailer tires are inflated to their maximum cold psi pressure rating, as noted on the tire sidewall. Never under- or over-inflate a trailer tire.

expert reply by: Adam R