Bias vs Radial Tires for 2002 Viking 2470ST Pop-Up Camper  

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Since radial tires flex more than bias tires, they generally have better ground contact, traction, stability, and tread wear. They also run cooler than bias tires do, especially when under a load, so radials tend to last longer. While bias ply tires can be useful for off-road applications like farm use, radials are generally preferable on the highway and for long trips. Given your usage, I'd suggest upgrading to a radial tire. I've attached a helpful article on trailer tires for your convenience.

I'm not familiar with a 175/80-12 tire size, but we do have size 145/80-12 and 175/80-13 radial tires. The 175/80-13 tires would be slightly larger than 12-inch diameter tires. This would bring the tire half an inch closer to the underside of your wheel well. We recommend leaving about 4-1/2 inches of clearance between the top of the tire and the trailer, so as long as you have this clearance space, these tires should still work for your pop-up.

For a 145/80-12 tire, I recommend our Kenda Karrier S-Trail ST145/R12 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range D, Item # AM10130. This radial tire is excellent for highway use. It includes computer-generated tread for improved traction during all weather conditions and premium rubber compound materials to help disperse heat. This tire has a maximum load of 1,220 lbs. For a greater load range capacity, I recommend the load range E option, Item # AM10140, which has a maximum load of 1,520 lbs. Both tires include a 2-year warranty.

The 175/80-13 size tires come in load ranges C and D. If you think you can get by with a load range C tire, I recommend the Westlake ST175/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range C, Item # LHWL101. This tire is also ideal for highway use, is constructed with double steel belts and double polyester plies for a long life, and includes a Tread Wear Indicator (TWI). Its maximum load is 1,360 lbs. This tire also includes a 5-year warranty and a complimentary roadside assistance program through Lionshead.

The load range D option for this size is our Karrier ST175/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range D, Item # AM10210. This tire includes a computer-generated tread design for maximum traction, excellent highway stability, and premium rubber compounds. Its maximum load capacity is 1,610 lbs. This option includes a 2-year warranty.

The larger 175/80-13 tires will require a new wheel. From my research, it looks like the 2002 Viking 2470ST has a 5 on 4-1/2 inch bolt pattern. For a load range C combination option with this pattern, I recommend our Westlake ST175/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire w/ 13" Silver Mod Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range C, Item # LHAW165. For a load range D option, I recommend our Karrier ST175/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire w/ 13" White Mini Mod Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range D, Item # AM31991.

I've attached a video review for each of the tires and wheels for you to check out.

expert reply by: Amber S

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