Hi-Run Trailer Tires Made In China. Are They Any Good?

dirt ditch · Jun 17, 2014

At work we have a tilt top trailer with tandem 7k axles. Two years ago it got a new set of the proper 16" Kumho trailer tires put on it. The tires don't have 500 miles on them and last time we went to use the trailer it was found that one of the Kumho's had 6" of tread separation from the casing. Our mechanic went to the tire shop and replaced it with a Chinese made Hi-Run trailer tire of the same size and load range.

Never heard of Hi-Run tires so am wondering does anyone have experience good or bad with them? Opinions? On the internet there are some horror stories but what to believe?

Diamondpilot · Jun 17, 2014

Trailer tires are hit and miss. I have used some High Run and no issues. My favorite are still Greenballs. Need to buy 2 sets this week.

Chris

HHR · Jun 17, 2014

I've used two sets of HI-RUN tires with no issues. Good tread wear characteristics and no cracking over the last 5 years.

3930dave · Jun 17, 2014

I went with Chris's recommendation on the Greenball Towmasters, and have been very happy with them.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/229438-decent-non-china-trailer-tires-6.html

If you have time, that thread has some other good suggestions, and experiences listed.

I ordered from these guys Trailer Parts - Trailer Tires & Trailer Wheels at Wholesale Prices.

Where you park can be a factor, many ST tires will fall apart fast when parked on dirt. If I can't park on concrete for storage, I get the tires up on PT lumber.

Rgds, D.

wilnis · Jun 22, 2014

Hi-I have a 3 horse bumper pull aluminum trailer that had 15" wheels on it. I bought Hi-Run tires to go to Arizona, 1600 miles one way, in the winter of 2011 on the advice of my friendly tire salesman. After getting home, 4000 miles total, 2 of the tires had lost most of their tread and the other 2 were clearly worn. I thought trailer was out of alignment, but it was not.
I switched to 16" wheels and put Firestone Transport E rated tires on it (Hi Run were E also) and have over 18,000 miles in 2 1/2 years with minimal wear, no evidence of alignment issues. We have 2 friends with goose neck horse trailer that came with Hi-Run and they have the same issues with erratic wear.
I'd watch them, they may do well around town but my sample size of three trailers suggest they are not fit as road tires on horse trailers.
FWIW, YMMV. Thanks. Bill

Diamondpilot · Jun 22, 2014

Other than improper inflation out of balance is the second biggest issue I see with trailer tires. Many believe they do not need balanced but 25 years in the business as a side job and probably 200 sets of tires tells me different.

I wonder if they had your ST tires balanced? I assume they did balance the LT tires.

Chris

wilnis · Jun 22, 2014

Hi-Yes, the ST tires did get balanced as were the LT tires. (I learned that from you on this forum!!) I've kept the ST and use them as "spares" on a flat bed trailer that seldom goes over 50 MPH or travels more than 50 miles from home. Tires were kept at 65# and speed never over 65mph in spite of the sales person telling me that I didn't need to adhere to that "old" caveat.
Thanks-Bill

3930dave · Jun 22, 2014

wilnis said:
Hi-I have a 3 horse bumper pull aluminum trailer that had 15" wheels on it. I bought Hi-Run tires to go to Arizona, 1600 miles one way, in the winter of 2011 on the advice of my friendly tire salesman. After getting home, 4000 miles total, 2 of the tires had lost most of their tread and the other 2 were clearly worn. I thought trailer was out of alignment, but it was not.
I switched to 16" wheels and put Firestone Transport E rated tires on it (Hi Run were E also) and have over 18,000 miles in 2 1/2 years with minimal wear, no evidence of alignment issues. We have 2 friends with goose neck horse trailer that came with Hi-Run and they have the same issues with erratic wear.
I'd watch them, they may do well around town but my sample size of three trailers suggest they are not fit as road tires on horse trailers.
FWIW, YMMV. Thanks. Bill

Many ST tires seem to have structural problems (deficient design), and really can't take heat.

Good idea to keep interstate speeds low (like you did), and always run at maximum inflation pressure. I was in line at the MTO office yesterday with some guys running a brand new 12K# race trailer, who were blowing Carlisles up like party balloons - they were eager to check out some other options.

If I could have fit LTs on my trailer I probably would have gone that way, but have been happy with the Greenballs that Chris recommended.

I think some heavier (for this class) trailers come from the manufacturer with LTs, or they will at least put them on as an option (?).

Rgds, D.

Diamondpilot · Jun 22, 2014

wilnis said:
Hi-Yes, the ST tires did get balanced as were the LT tires. (I learned that from you on this forum!!) I've kept the ST and use them as "spares" on a flat bed trailer that seldom goes over 50 MPH or travels more than 50 miles from home. Tires were kept at 65# and speed never over 65mph in spite of the sales person telling me that I didn't need to adhere to that "old" caveat.
Thanks-Bill

If they were Load Range E they should be keep at 80 psi, not 65. Load range A get 20 psi, B get 35 psi, C get 50 psi, D get 65 psi, E get 80 psi. 15 psi per ply rating.

Chris

nc redneck · Jun 22, 2014

Michelin " Ribs " or XPS Ribs E loads will cure any tire problem you have. Expensive yes but so is a 16,000 pound 5th wheel on the side of the road with the slide and sidewall torn out from tire coming apart. Also a ruined vacation. Even worse is a hot pissed off horse in 95 degree plus heat while you try to remove remains of horse trailer fender and get tire replaced.
The few times traffic is light, no cars or trucks 1 mile in front or behind you have the option of running 80 MPH in 95 plus heat and not be worried about your tires.
They also last a long time if you dont flat spot them.