Are Radial Tires better than Bias Ply Tires for Trailer

Published 12/01/2016

Question:

What are the advantages, or disadvantages of radial vs bias ply, when used on a utility trailer. I sometimes haul heavy loads. Also I want to replace the 14 inch tires/wheels which are currently on the trailer with 15 inch. There is plenty of room on all sides of the fenders. Is that ok to do?

asked by: Gary W

Helpful Expert Reply:

Radial tires are much preferred over bias ply tires for a number of reasons.

The main difference between a radial ply and a bias ply tire is how the tire is constructed. 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.

A radial tire flexes more than a bias tire, giving it better ground contact, traction, stability, and tread wear.

A radial tire will normally run cooler than a bias ply tire, 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 like farm use.

At one time radials were more expensive than bias ply tires, but now they are closer in price. This makes radials a much better value.

I attached a link to a page that has all of the radial trailer tires we offer for you to check out.

Replacing your 14 inch wheels and tires with 15 inch wheels would be a great idea. The link I attached has all of the 15 inch wheel combos we carry. Select your wheel bolt pattern from the filters and the correct wheels will be listed.