My first post in this section.

I towed my car trailer from Phoenix to Tucson and back last weekend, it was not the best towing experience. The trailer tires were so bad that it was vibrating my entire truck. The vibration was cyclical with a period of about 5 seconds. The tires would roll smooth for a second, then the vibration would build and get really bad, then it would briefly smooth out again, repeat. I kept the speed down to 60 mph, the slowest I felt safe going on a 75 mph highway. The tires made the round trip without blowing, but will be replaced before the trailer is used again.

My 14K rated 20' flatbed trailer is about 3.5 years old, and has less than 3,000 miles on it. Loaded with my Bronco it weighs in just under 9K. I use an Equalizer brand WD hitch rated for 14K. The factory tires are some Freestar ST 235/80R16. After I got home I jacked up the trailer and checked the tires, darn were they terrible. The "lumps" in the tread were almost 3/8" tall, and the center tread was not the highest on the crown on a couple of the tires. The runout on the tread was also aweful, easily exceeding 1/4". This trailer sits a lot, I have kept the tires covered from the evil Phoenix sun, but I will be installing jacks on the rear to get the tires off the ground to prevent from flat spots.

Now I'm shopping for new tires. I've read some posts on here about ST vs LT, I'm leaning towards the LT. Most of my towing is highway, and I usually run comfortably at 70 mph. The 65 mph rating on the ST is a deal breaker. I think my trailer will clear the BFG Commercial T/A in 235/85R16. The 245/75R16 are also an option that are closer in height but 10mm wider. Either are rated a bit lower than the current ST tires at 3169 lb, but I don't ever plan to exceed 12K loaded. I don't know how much the extra 1" diameter will effect the trailer braking, but it has drums on both axles.

 

Don't forget to inspect the brakes and bearings. Your bearings can easily be trashed by something like this, but if not, it would still be the perfect time for a repack.

 

Just a couple things to remember. Tight cornering, especially while loaded, will remove large areas of tread creating low spots. If the tires are missing some of the tread in the center, I think you used the word crown, indicates over inflation. The run-out is often caused by tight cornering again. My tires bounce somewhat and it can be cyclic. I'm thinking of adding a set of Centramatics to the trailer to help on the highway.

 

I have been told countless times that trailer tires don't need balancing. I haven't had the pleasure of a failure yet of either bearing or tire. I treat them just as I do the tires on the vehicle. I rotate, balance etc. The heat that is generated by out of balance, improper loading or inflation will kill the tire in short order. In my opinion, it's false economy to just throw a set of tires on something and let them go.

 

Lt tires is the only way to go

 

Sounds like a good part of the problem is the lack of use.. Leaving tires in one spot tends to give them flat spots.. Always max out your tires for storage. jack stands or plain ol wood blocks that you could pull the trailer off of would help tremendously. When my trailers are not in use I use the forklift to move them..

 

I agree on the bearing repack and brake inspection. I will do both when it cools down in October/November, I don't plan on using the trailer until then. I have been diligent about adding a few pumps of grease, checking tire pressures, and doing a visual inspection for rot before each use. Before this trip I saw some deterioration between the tread blocks on the shoulders. I have been keeping the tires inflated to 75 psi, probably more pressure than necessary when there is only half of the rated load on the deck, but under the max of 80 psi. I figured the higher inflation would give a lower rolling resistance, so better fuel economy. It made a significant difference with my old gasser. I have not rotated the trailer tires, but it makes sense to wear them evenly. I do some tight turns unloaded getting the trailer in/out of the yard, but I try to avoid them when loaded.

I had the trailer tires balanced after purchase, but the Centramatics were also something I was considering for truck and trailer. I put a new set of Michelin A/T2 tires on the truck last month, I'll reevaluate the Centramatics for the truck as Discount Tire does free rebalance.

I'm of the mind that the problem can be partially contributed to desert heat and my mistreatment (not taking the weight off, overinflation), but the cheap crappy chinese construction has a lot to do with it.

 

Tire age and deterioration in Phoenix / Tucson summers is the biggest issue.

Last summer I was laid off from a job in Phoenix, got a job in Tucson, and had to tow my toys down. On the final trip, I lost 2 tires, within 10 miles of each other. Fortunately the trailer was light.

It was completely my fault...I knew the tires were due for replacement. I just did not have the money. Still don't; not until the wife gets back to work.

In the past, I would get about 5 years out of a set of tires. Then they need to be replaced due to weather checking.

Tony

 

My buddy fills all his tires with nitrogen. He claims to never have any issues with leakdown when it sits, or extreme pressure swings when towing heavy. I have never tried it.

 

I stuck LT's on my 5th wheel, I think load range F. They've been great.

Anyway, I'd get them balanced. It could be you've got a couple way out of balance, slight difference in diameter has them coming into and out of phase rhythmically.

For sure pull the bearings for a repack and new seals, plus brake cleaning and adjustment.

I'm not a big fan of the ez-lube type, as I like to put eyeballs on the brake components, and also I think grease goes bad from condensation and sitting, and it is good to get all the grease out as opposed to pumping a ribbon of fresh grease through the old.

 

Nothing like a good set of balanced LT tires load range "E" on a trailer. used to hot-shot with a tandom axle 40ft gooseneck and used Michelin LTX's on the trailer. No flats and great mileage @ 80psi. Great investment for safety.

 

Nitrogen is great, but most tire shops don't have the equipment to get a high enough concentration. The Jetta came with Nitrogen in the tires from the dealer, after having them repurge the tires 3 times I gave up.

I'll definately be getting my new trailer tires balanced.

 

I use LT tires on my trailer too & got some old canvas from a awning shop & keep em covered too.I've always noticed alot of tires look good on inside do to the sun on the outside.

 

I replaced the crap Mission tires that came on our 5th wheel because they were starting to seperate with less than 5k miles on them. I replaced them with BFG Commercial T/A in 235/85R16 Load Range E and they have been great. They are about 18 months old and probably have about 15k miles on them and look like new. I also have a HawkHead TPMS to keep an eye on the trailer tires when we travel.

 

I'm always amazed that nitrogen is touted as such an incredible element to add to tires.
Earth's atmosphere is 78.08% nitrogen. Is 22% more really going to make that big a difference?