Will Switching From Radial To Bias Ply Tires Help With Trailer Bounce?
Updated 10/30/2025 | Published 01/31/2025
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Question:
I currently have the tires that came with my boat and trailer, a 2019 Ranger Z175 bass boat with a Mercury 115XS motor. The tires are six years old, have decent tread, but show what I think is radial separation on the sidewall. My trailer experiences some bounce due to what I believe is the trailer suspension design and some bridges on our highways that really get my rig close to bouncing off the ground. Will switching to the bias ply tire improve this? I was planning to go with the same brand and size, but noticed that both radial and bias ply are available for the Karrier Load Star ST215-75R14. What are the tradeoffs? I’ve adjusted weight distribution, tire pressure, and vehicle speed to lessen the effect, but anything that helps, I will try to make it better. Thanks! Darryl
asked by: Darryl
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Expert Reply:
Hey Darryl, thanks for getting in touch. Generally, radial tires are better for reducing trailer bounce than bias ply tires. Radial tires tend to flex a bit more and should not bounce as much as a bias ply.
That said, if your tires are excessively worn and starting to separate, this can contribute to the trailer bounce. I do not believe that switching to bias tires will give any significant benefit though. There are most likely other factors contributing to this. Usually trailer bounce is caused my incorrect/worn suspension components, or an unevenly loaded trailer. Adding tongue weight can help a lot. A WD hitch can help too. I do recommend that you always run your tires at the max PSI listed on the sidewall. Otherwise they can build up heat and this can cause the tire to break down and fail. Realistically, you should try to stay around 65 mph when towing, even if the tires have a higher speed rating.
For new tires I recommend the Karrier ST215/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range C # KE53KV. Looks like this will be a direct replacement for what you have now.
If you want to go with a different brand, we also have the Provider ST215/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range C # TTWTR21514. The Provider tires are considered to be a step up from the Kenda as far as reliability and durability.
Feel free to reach out and reply below if you have any other questions.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Loadstar ST215/75D14 Bias Trailer Tire - Load Range C
- Trailer Tires and Wheels
- Tire Only
- Bias Ply Tire
- Load Range C
- 215/75-14
- 14 Inch
- Kenda
more information >
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on Trailer Tires and Wheels
Jesse M.
10/30/2025
Hey Darryl, how did things go after switching to the Provider radial tires on your Ranger trailer? Did they help smooth out the bounce you were seeing on those bridge transitions? Your update could make it easier for others dealing with the same issue.