Any Consensus on Trailer Tire Brands???

[Dougster]

So it's either Chinese-made tires in ST235/80R16 Load Range E or Goodyear Marathons (Made in USA) in ST235/80R16 Load Range D. Those are my two real world choices... neither one perfect. Significantly higher load capacity... OR ..."Made in USA"... but not both.

Two days before I must make a final decision to support scheduled work and I'm still stuck in the same **** place with the same **** dilemma. Research of the last two days has done nothing but turn up several more Chinese "private label" brands... some clearly better than others... some I could probably live with... some downright pathetic. Pricewise, there is almost no meaningful difference between the Marathon LRD tires and the best of the Chinese LRE tires in the same size.

However, considering the "incident" and the fact that I am going to court to fight the cop's citation and claim of an "accident", I have to keep in mind what upgraded tire choice will play best in court before a judge in terms of a "won't ever happen again" mitigation effort... going to American-made tires OR going to Load Range E tires... because, indeed, the real unaffordable cost here will be in the fine and insurance surcharge repercussions for years to come if I don't win this absurd case.

Dougster

 

[DaryleD]

Dougster, I am the same as you; I like to buy American, and even if it isn't safety realated, I like to buy the best quality I can afford. I would suggest, on a different note, to not try to fight this case with the "It won't happen again" aproach. I would save that arguement for a last resort.The judge is going to just care about what happened, and not what wont happen, if you understand what I'm saying. I would try to point out that the citation was/is completely bogus, as it isn't an issue from neglect, or disrespect for the law on your part. It was an equipment failure, period. I think the judge should laugh the cop right out of the courtroom on this one. I do wish you all the luck in the world, as I think that getting a citation for what happened is totally wrong. The officer should be ashamed of himself!! Let us know what you get for a tire, with updates on how they are working for ya, and let us know if the judge is reasonable, or if he or she is like the cop.
Daryle.

 

[Dougster]

Dougster, I am the same as you; I like to buy American, and even if it isn't safety realated, I like to buy the best quality I can afford. I would suggest, on a different note, to not try to fight this case with the "It won't happen again" aproach. I would save that arguement for a last resort.The judge is going to just care about what happened, and not what wont happen, if you understand what I'm saying. I would try to point out that the citation was/is completely bogus, as it isn't an issue from neglect, or disrespect for the law on your part. It was an equipment failure, period. I think the judge should laugh the cop right out of the courtroom on this one. I do wish you all the luck in the world, as I think that getting a citation for what happened is totally wrong. The officer should be ashamed of himself!! Let us know what you get for a tire, with updates on how they are working for ya, and let us know if the judge is reasonable, or if he or she is like the cop.
Daryle.

In a strict legal sense, you are absolutely correct. What happened before or what may happen after the incident in question should not be relevant. But clerk magistrates and judges who handle traffic citations here have a lot of latitude and do tend to take into account such things as your prior driving record (both accidents and prior citations, if any), personal appearance/situation and, in this unusual equipment failure-related case, may consider meaningful changes & upgrades made after the fact intended to prevent similar recurrences. While this is my first citation in over 25 years... and I have never had a traffic accident... I do base this aspect of my defense on the experience of other family members who have gone to court and successfully fought bogus tickets.

Regardless, this is but one factor in my choice of an upgrade tire. It still boils down to American-made vs. significantly higher load carrying capability. The choice is not an easy one.

Dougster

 

[podagrower]

Doug, I presume you have already bought your new tires. Hope all goes well with "The Man". For anyone else watching the ongoing tire saga, our local paper had an article about an importer being forced to recal 450,000 Chinese made tires . These were all LT tires I beleive, but maybe those who have had trouble should contact the NTSB and report their, shall we call them, "Experiences" with Chinese trailer tires as well.

 

[Dougster]

Doug, I presume you have already bought your new tires. Hope all goes well with "The Man". For anyone else watching the ongoing tire saga, our local paper had an article about an importer being forced to recal 450,000 Chinese made tires . These were all LT tires I beleive, but maybe those who have had trouble should contact the NTSB and report their, shall we call them, "Experiences" with Chinese trailer tires as well.

No, I haven't ordered my new trailer tires yet; however, I will say that the pendulum is now swinging a lot more to the "Load Range E" side and less to the "Made in America" side despite continuing headlines and stories about Chinese tires falling apart and being recalled.

The more I analyse what happened and think about what tires would have mitigated the consequences best, the less inclined I am to give up "Load Range E" for "Made in America." As someone pointed out earlier, this really was all about getting a screw in one tire, having it go soft and then an eventual double blowout on the highway. Any steel belted radial (vs. bias ply) would have probably withstood the screw puncture better... but only the Load Range E tires would have had a real fighting chance to continue to hold up one fully loaded trailer side without blowing out a second tire.

While there is still a little homework to do, I expect to order my new tires this coming Friday. Because of the one week delay, I will likely have to buy some temporary replacement wheels & 15" bias ply tires locally since the dump trailer is needed next week on a job. They'll go with the others on Craigslist as soon as the new 16" LRE ones come in. But this was never about saving a few bucks on tires. This was always about getting the very best tires that would fit and work well on my two trailers. I am very disappointed that there is not a Load Range E tire in ST235/80R16 that is still "Made in America"... but there isn't and nothing I do or say is going to change that pathetic fact.

Dougster

 

[Seon]

I just towed my JD 4210 with FEL and hydrualic dump trailer on my 24' gooseneck trailer last night. This morning the wife noticed that one of the tire was missing. Sure enough, I must have had a blow out during the 125 mile trip home but didn't even noticed. Goodyear tires are 6 month old. Being that the tire is gone, I guess there's no way of going back for warrantee replacement .

 

[Dougster]

I just towed my JD 4210 with FEL and hydrualic dump trailer on my 24' gooseneck trailer last night. This morning the wife noticed that one of the tire was missing. Sure enough, I must have had a blow out during the 125 mile trip home but didn't even noticed. Goodyear tires are 6 month old. Being that the tire is gone, I guess there's no way of going back for warrantee replacement .

Oh Lordy!!!

I think that whatever that surviving tire was on that blowout side... that made it all the way with no help from its destroyed partner... should be the tire that we BOTH should be using!!!

But I am a bit confused. I see a Taskmaster and a Goodyear. What brand tire blew and what brand tire did double duty without complaining??? Am I correct in understanding that a Goodyear blew... another Goodyear did the double duty... and the Taskmaster replaced the blown tire?

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

I will say that the pendulum is now swinging a lot more to the "Load Range E" side and less to the "Made in America" side despite continuing headlines and stories about Chinese tires falling apart and being recalled.

Well, I did it. I swallowed hard, held my nose tightly and ordered four new 16-inch, 80-profile Chinese "Load Range E" tires and new wheels to go with them. Ordered the very best brand I could determine from visual inspection and Internet research out of a sometimes sorry lot. Load carrying capability totalling over 14,000 lbs for my 10,000 lb dump trailer... going from a zero percent to a 40+ percent tire load capability safety factor... and hopefully enough of a safety factor to sustain a single flat without losing a second, same-side tire. Thank God the trailer already came with 6,000 lb axles or I'd probably be looking into changing them too (as I am with my equipment trailer).

Broke my heart that there was not a single ST235/80R16LRE tire still made in the United States (regardless of some shady tire dealers trying straight-faced to tell you theirs are!), but that is today's pathetic, sick reality.

Dougster

 

[civesnedfield]

Well, I did it. I swallowed hard, held my nose tightly and ordered four new 16-inch, 80-profile Chinese "Load Range E" tires and new wheels to go with them. Ordered the very best brand I could determine from visual inspection and Internet research out of a sometimes sorry lot. Load carrying capability totalling over 14,000 lbs for my 10,000 lb dump trailer... going from a zero percent to a 40+ percent tire load capability safety factor... and hopefully enough of a safety factor to sustain a single flat without losing a second, same-side tire. Thank God the trailer already came with 6,000 lb axles or I'd probably be looking into changing them too (as I am with my equipment trailer).

Broke my heart that there was not a single ST235/80R16LRE tire still made in the United States (regardless of some shady tire dealers trying straight-faced to tell you theirs are!), but that is today's pathetic, sick reality.

Dougster

Doug sorry to hear about the blow out and sorry for missing this post. Don't know if you ever looked at Hercules tires. Bias ply but available in 16's up to laod range G. How's that for a security blanket. Never used their trailer tires but I am a BIG fan of their truck tires. I have had three sets so far all had over 70K miles on them before replacing them.
Link to trailer tire info:
http://www.herculestire.com/hercules/pdfs/pg21_SExpressLT-HDT-BiasTrailerLPT.pdf

They also have radials under another brand name:
http://www.herculestire.com/hercules/pdfs/milestarST_CustomTrailer.pdf

 

[Dougster]

Doug sorry to hear about the blow out and sorry for missing this post. Don't know if you ever looked at Hercules tires. Bias ply but available in 16's up to laod range G. How's that for a security blanket. Never used their trailer tires but I am a BIG fan of their truck tires. I have had three sets so far all had over 70K miles on them before replacing them.
Link to trailer tire info:
http://www.herculestire.com/hercules/pdfs/pg21_SExpressLT-HDT-BiasTrailerLPT.pdf
They also have radials under another brand name:
http://www.herculestire.com/hercules/pdfs/milestarST_CustomTrailer.pdf

Now that is one trailer tire brand that I did not come across in all my travels... but I am sold on the idea of steel belted radials for their alleged better ability to have a nail or screw puncture and still hold air. Do you know if those ST235/80R16LRE steel-belted radials are made in the good ol' USA???

Dougster

 

[civesnedfield]

Now that is one trailer tire brand that I did not come across in all my travels... but I am sold on the idea of steel belted radials for their alleged better ability to have a nail or screw puncture and still hold air. Do you know if those ST235/80R16LRE steel-belted radials are made in the good ol' USA???

Dougster

Here is their About us page. Based in Ohio, butlike all other companies they manufacture here and there. I think their major there is Canada. According to most Canada is American made. (Thanks NAFTA)

The Hercules Tire & Rubber Company... about

 

[Dougster]

Here is their About us page. Based in Ohio, butlike all other companies they manufacture here and there. I think their major there is Canada. According to most Canada is American made. (Thanks NAFTA)
The Hercules Tire & Rubber Company... about

Shall we place a bet here Ed? I need to make some money off you!!!

I say those 235/80R16LRE's are made in China or possibly Taiwan. Definitely not in the Americas. Take the bet???

Dougster

 

[civesnedfield]

Shall we place a bet here Ed? I need to make some money off you!!!

I say those 235/80R16LRE's are made in China or possibly Taiwan. Definitely not in the Americas. Take the bet???

Dougster

Nope not going to do it. I do not need to be contributing to the Dougster shiny new toy fund.

 

[Quickster2]

If you look at their capability chart all tires are from China.

 

[Dougster]

If you look at their capability chart all tires are from China.

Yeah, a little Internet research and it appears they are yet another "Made in China" trailer tire just like all the others.

You can't seem to escape it unless you are willing to accept Load Range D (US-made Goodyear Marathons) or go to those Goodyear G614RST Load Range G tires.

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

Well, I did it. I swallowed hard, held my nose tightly and ordered four new 16-inch, 80-profile Chinese "Load Range E" tires and new wheels to go with them.

Just to close this out... the new Chinese LRE tires and rims came in, are mounted on the 10K dump trailer and seem to be generally satisfactory. Fit was good... no rubbing at all. Nice and straight too. Feels good to have a 40% load safety factor now... at least on the rims and rubber and even if I am still using Chinese rubber.

The tires arrived in great shape via Fed-Ex Ground. I was impressed for once. Came in a separate delivery truck for the one used for their regular rounds. I had expected some scuffing, but they were perfect. Wheels were another matter (but likely not Fed-Ex's fault). Two came through kinda nasty and will need repainting. One came through with a nice flat spot on the outer edge of the rim kinda like a curbing hit. I think it must have fallen off a tall shelf or something. It may have to be fixed or replaced. After all... if I am replacing the original tires and rims on both trailers to increase safety, it makes no sense to put up with even a mildly damaged rim. To the full credit of the seller, he has offered to replace it. I'll get a professional opinion on it later this week. Frankly, I'm guessing he'll say it's cosmetic only and totally fine.

Today, I placed the order for the second set of identical 16" Chinese LRE tires and rims... this set for the 10K equipment trailer... and hopefully without any funky rim damage at all.

Dougster

 

[Skyco]

I guess I've been lucky, I've never had but one trailer blow out and that was one of those small real wide ones on a Coleman Tent Trailer years ago...And I have owned many, many trailers.
I've got 9 trailers in the yard, I posted 8 somewhere here the other day but I missed one. To be honest I'm scared to death of the Carlisles on my new Featherlite all aluminum enclosed trailer, a blown tire can trash the aluminum fenders and wall in a blow out. Even if was fixed you know they'd never get it right like new. The spare I bought for it was a Goodyear Marathon made in NEW ZEALAND- go figure.
I think I'm gonna put those Carlisles on my car trailer for a few thousand miles before I trust them on the high dollar Featherlite I'd much rather have a blowout there with a $75 steel fender to replace...

BTW my dump trailer has big whopping 235/85/16 Load Boss ST radial tires made in China with a capacity of 3750 lbs each at load range G/ 7 ply (?) and 110PSI
Better carry your own compressor I've found many places cannot even produce that high of air pressure if you need any. The tires have held up well, but aren't balanced well, had a flat due to a nail and asked the tire guy to balance it while off the trailer....he lined up so many weights they go 1/4 of the way around the wheel to balance...no wonder the trailer shakes

 

[Dougster]

I guess I've been lucky, I've never had but one trailer blow out and that was one of those small real wide ones on a Coleman Tent Trailer years ago...And I have owned many, many trailers.
I've got 9 trailers in the yard, I posted 8 somewhere here the other day but I missed one. To be honest I'm scared to death of the Carlisles on my new Featherlite all aluminum enclosed trailer, a blown tire can trash the aluminum fenders and wall in a blow out. Even if was fixed you know they'd never get it right like new. The spare I bought for it was a Goodyear Marathon made in NEW ZEALAND- go figure.
I think I'm gonna put those Carlisles on my car trailer for a few thousand miles before I trust them on the high dollar Featherlite I'd much rather have a blowout there with a $75 steel fender to replace...
BTW my dump trailer has big whopping 235/85/16 Load Boss ST radial tires made in China with a capacity of 3750 lbs each at load range G/ 7 ply (?) and 110PSI
Better carry your own compressor I've found many places cannot even produce that high of air pressure if you need any. The tires have held up well, but aren't balanced well, had a flat due to a nail and asked the tire guy to balance it while off the trailer....he lined up so many weights they go 1/4 of the way around the wheel to balance...no wonder the trailer shakes

My second set of four Chinese-made "Load Range E" tires & rims came in today... this set for my equipment trailer. No problems at all... not even a scratch on the rims!

I do carry a compressor with me rated for 250 PSIG. I may buy a better one soon. I also wonder about tire balance and may have them checked. Frankly, I'll do anything reasonably necessary to get a more secure, comfortable ride. That will likely include a weight distribution hitch with anti-sway and a series of trailer stiffening/strengthening mods. Too many job possibilities are too dang far away to do otherwise.

Dougster

 

[Skyco]

I've never needed a sway control on any trailer loaded properly. However the quarry that I buy rock from misloaded me one time with too much of the rock too far back, scared me good me when I got on the freeway Started swaying like crazy, I had to get off, buy a shovel and spend 30 minutes in the summer heat shoveling rock forward to get the trailer to tow halfway well enough to get safely to my destination
If you've never experienced really severe trailer sway on a crowded freeway and experienced how hard it can be to get under control....well....I recommend carrying a spare pair of shorts

 

[Dougster]

I've never needed a sway control on any trailer loaded properly. However the quarry that I buy rock from misloaded me one time with too much of the rock too far back, scared me good me when I got on the freeway Started swaying like crazy, I had to get off, buy a shovel and spend 30 minutes in the summer heat shoveling rock forward to get the trailer to tow halfway well enough to get safely to my destination
If you've never experienced really severe trailer sway on a crowded freeway and experienced how hard it can be to get under control....well....I recommend carrying a spare pair of shorts

Amen Brother Skyco... but there are no guarantees that the materials places are going to load you perfectly... front to back and side to side. In fact, I think that's kinda the exception around here.

It's why I carry BOTH a shovel and a rake in the back of the pick-up at all times!

Dougster