Will Going to Radial from Bias Ply Tire Help Prevent Cupping

Updated 08/15/2025 | Published 07/24/2025

Question:

Hi....I am considering purchasing the Kendra Karrier KE48KV tires for my bass boat trailer. Are these steel belted ? Also, what can I expect in the date code range....just want to insure that I dont get something too old. In addition, I currently have bias ply tires on the trailer. While the tires are wearing evenly center, inside and outside, I am getting equal cupping on both the inside and outside edges of both tires. The suspension is good and there are no issues with the wheel bearings. My thoughts are that I am getting sidewall flexing and that moving to a radial will resolve this because they have stronger sidewalls. Plus, if the trailer sits for an extended period of time, the tires develop a flat spot and it vibrates badly until it heats up. I believe the radials will not do this. Would moving from a load C to a load D help or will that just put more stress on the trailer suspension due to the added stiffness? Thoughts ? Thank you.

asked by: Chuck C

Expert Reply:

Hey Chuck, yes the Karrier ST175/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire # KE48KV is steel belted. We sell these so quickly that nothing sits on our shelf for long at all so you'll get something very new. I can't promise a certain date code though as that's just too hard to predict.

Going to a radial like this will get rid of the cupping which it does sound like is from the flat spot that bias plies will get from sitting too long plus the sidewall is stiffer. Going to a heavier Load Range would not do much for this.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Jameson C.

8/15/2025

Hey Chuck, did switching to the radial tires help with the cupping and flat spots on your trailer? I'm curious to know how it worked out for you so I can better assist others in similar situations.