Average Lifespan of Radial Trailer Tire

Question

Question:

You talk about the Long Tire Life of the Radiel Tire. What would you say is ok for the life of the tire, time wise? I’m guessing it should be a lot longer than a normal trailer tire? I have the Radiel tires on my 7X14 trailer which I use to carry a Dune Buggy to Car Shows and Parades. I’ve had the trailer for a little over 3 years. When I took the trailer to Discount Tire to get the tires balanced and the air pressure checked they wouldn’t do it. They said trailer tires were no good after 3 years and wanted to sell me new tires! I paid extra for an upgrade to Radiel Tires when I ordered my trailer and no more than I have it on the road, the tread is almost like new. My spare tire has never been on the ground. Do you think they didn’t pay attention to the fact that my tires were not the cheap trailer tires that usually come on a trailer? What is the recommended time life of the Radiel Tire? I doubt if I would ever wear the tread down to the wear bar no more than I use the trailer........

asked by: Butch M

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

The actual lifespan of a trailer tire will vary greatly depending on a number of factors (mileage, road conditions, weight of trailer, etc) but you are correct that radial ply tires should have a longer lifespan than bias alternatives. This is because the cords on a radial tire run at a 90 degree angle to the direction of travel (as opposed to a 32 degree angle) which allows for better tread wear and a tire that runs cooler overall.

If the tread on your particular tires don't show much wear at all and you don't see any signs of rot like cracks then there is no reason at all that they need to be replaced simply because 3 years have gone by. The "replace without question" age that we recommend is around 6 to 7 years.

I'm not sure why the shop you went to wouldn't touch the tires simply because of their age. It may just be a shop policy but I recommend taking your trailer somewhere else. A couple of ways to ensure a long lifespan of your radial tires is to make sure you don't overload their combined capacity with the weight of your trailer and to stay below the speed rating listed on the sidewall of the tire.

I have attached a great article on trailer tires that you might also find helpful.

expert reply by: Chris R

1

Answer 1

Triple-axle trailers can show the effects of "scrubbing" especially on the rear axle since when the trailer turns the front axle wheels are the pivot point and the center and especially rear axles will be "pulled along for the…

view full answer...

Answer 2

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

view full answer...

Answer 3

According to Blue Ox, it'll take an experienced installer about 4 to 5 hours to complete the installation of their #BX1128 Base Plate Kit on a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The install isn't what I'd call super-difficult, but the installation…

view full answer...

Answer 4

Hey Bryan, that's a good question. The pricing can definitely be misleading, but I wouldn't use it to judge the quality of the tire. A lot of that comes down to promotions, inventory, and whether you're looking at a tire by itself or…

view full answer...

Answer 5

The 5.30-12 tires, being wider, are going to make more contact with the road. This means that the noise, and heat build up will be higher than a 4.80-12 tire but the rolling resistance will actually be less because the tire is larger diameter. The…

view full answer...

Answer 6

Hey Jonathon thank you so much for all of that additional information! To haul your bikes behind your class C Sprinter motorhome, while flat towing your Mini, I recommend the Hollywood Racks RV Rider Bike Rack item #HLY64FR and the Roadmaster Dual…

view full answer...

Answer 7

The difference between an load range C and load range D tire in the same size is the capacity and psi rating. The two tires will still have the same dimensions and fit on the same wheel. The D rated tire has a higher capacity. For a ST175/80D13 like…

view full answer...

Answer 8

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

view full answer...

Answer 9

The two sizes you mentioned are pretty similar and fit many of the same 15 inch wheels. The 205/75-15 fits rim widths of 5 inch to 6 inch whereas the 225/75-15 fits widths that are 5 inch to 6-1/2 inch. The 205 is 27.1 inches tall and the 225 is 28.4…

view full answer...

Answer 10

The #84 spindle is just a common way to identify the spindle dimensions typically used for 3,500 lb axles. So instead of listing out the parts, people can just say they have #84 spindles and it's easier to know what fits it. The CE Smith Trailer…

view full answer...

Answer 11

Even though I cannot comment specifically on the grease you used because I am not familiar with it, I can tell you the best grease for trailer bearings is a a grease with a rating of GC-LB, which just means it is made to withstand very high…

view full answer...

Answer 12

I apologize for any confusion on what the proper torque specs are for 1/2 inch lug nuts on trailer wheels. I attached a picture of a chart to the right that details what the proper torque specs are for a trailer wheels lugs based on lug size, wheel…

view full answer...

Average Lifespan of Radial Trailer Tire

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Featured Help Information

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching