What Happens If you Mix a Radial and Bias Ply Tire on a Trailer
Updated 06/16/2025 | Published 04/29/2023
Question:
I understand its no advisable to mix an R tire with D tires...but why, what could happen? Whats the actual danger? I have a 6foot x12 utility trailer with a single 3500 lbs. axle. My current tires are aged out but I have a new D spare that I was going to put on the ground and buy one new tire. But, my son-in-law just gave me a brand-new R tire. The trailer maybe sees 500 miles a year in short trips. Im just trying to understand why its not advisable to mix the two. Thank you.
asked by: Rex T
Expert Reply:
I'm going to be perfectly honest...the risk is pretty minimal BUT due to the construction differences between bias ply and radial tires the sidewalls do end up flexing differently which could in turn end up with unpredictable ride quality/handling/performance. Is this going to be an issue in normal, non-emergency travelling? Probably not, but if you were going higher speeds and needed to make an emergency maneuver there's a chance the trailer might not handle the situation as well with mismatched tires. I know people mix them all the time and most will never have anything close to a problem. There's even people that use vehicle tires on trailers which is not a good idea at all but it really comes down to how valuable it is being as safe as possible.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Karrier ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire with 14" Galvanized Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range C
- Trailer Tires and Wheels
- Tire with Wheel
- Radial Tire
- Load Range C
- 205/75-14
- 14 Inch
- M - 81 mph
- 5 on 4-1/2 Inch
- Steel Wheels - Galvanized
- Kenda
more information >
Continue Researching
- Search Results: trailer tires and wheels
- Search Results: hub cap
- Search Results: reflective tape
- Search Results: 1/2" lug nuts
- Search Results: 215 75 14
- Search Results: stoltz
- Shop: Karrier ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire with 14" Galvanized Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range C
- Shop: Aluminum AM03 Series Black Machined Trailer Wheel - 15" x 5" Rim - 5 on 4-1/2
- Shop: Loadstar ST175/80D13 Bias Trailer Tire with 13" Galvanized Wheel - 4 on 4 - Load Range C
- Shop: Loadstar ST175/80D13 Bias Trailer Tire with 13" Galvanized Wheel - 4 on 4 - Load Range B
- Shop: Loadstar ST175/80D13 Bias Trailer Tire with 13" Galvanized Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range D
- Shop: Replacement Grease Cap for Dexter/Tie Down Engineering Vortex Trailer Hubs
- Shop: Loadstar ST205/75D14 Bias Trailer Tire with 14" Galvanized Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range C
- Search Results: trailer wheels
- Video: What to Know About the Miro-Flex Thinline LED Trailer Clearance or Side Marker Light
- Video: Feature Review Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly
- Video: Detailed Breakdown of the Optronics LED Mini Clearance or Side Marker Trailer Light
- Video: Complete Breakdown of the Optronics LED Mini Clearance or Side Marker Trailer Light
- Video: Detailed Breakdown of the etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes
- Video: LED Trailer Clearance or Side Marker Light w/ Reflex Reflector- 3 Diodes Spec Review
- Video: The Low-Down on the Jif Marine Transom Support Plate
- Q&A: Can Bias Ply Spare Be Used on Trailer with Radial Tires
- Article: Trailer Lighting Requirements
- Shop: Spare Tire Cover
- Q&A: Do the Tires and Wheels at etrailer Come Balanced
- Q&A: Identifying Dexter Axle Over 10,000 lbs
- Shop: Truck Bed Auxiliary Tank
- Q&A: Do 175/80-13 Size Tires Have the Right Weight Capacity for a 2,500 lb Trailer
- Shop: Tool Box
- Shop: Brake Controller
Js
6/14/2025
A couple of states from home and in a "have to" situation, I replaced a "D" tire with an "R" some time back. After returning home and not using the trailer for a couple months, I forgot all about it. I've ran the mismatched tires for maybe 1500 miles and had been noticing very uneven wear. The D tire had severe wear on the outer edges (where it was carrying more load). I had also noticed a difference in handling, but hadn't put 2 and 2 together until today when I was buying a replacement tire for the worn D and noticed the D vs R difference. Mismatched might be ok for a spare or very short term use, but you may as well get two that match because the other tire (not the radial) will have a short life once it is running with a radial. I had the same set up as the question: 6x12 trailer with a 3500 pound axle, hauling around 1000 pounds.