Trailer opinion

[ultrarunner]

Are the temp extremes in Texas a factor?

I maintain a lot of equipment... cars, trucks and trailers and tractors and would be in a world of hurt if I had to replace tires every 5 years...

 

[94BULLITT]

You can get a pretty decent new 7x16 trailer for $2,100.

 

[skidsareforkids]

Are the temp extremes in Texas a factor?

I maintain a lot of equipment... cars, trucks and trailers and tractors and would be in a world of hurt if I had to replace tires every 5 years...

Temp extremes are part of it but not the whole story. Trailer tires lose strength over time and heat exasperates the problem but mostly heat from friction (rolling). That is why it's reccomended to stay under 65mph. The faster you go the hotter the tire gets and the faster the sidewalls begin to break down. Trailer tires are stamped with a date of manufacture and when buying new you should insist on tires less than 6 months old. This link is to a Discount Tire article but I'll try and find the link to the NHTSA article I used to have.

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[ultrarunner]

I have noticed a lot more tire casing and tread on the side of the road when I was traveling in Arizona and New Mexico one summer... figured it had to be heat and speed.

Many of my old cars have a sweet spot around 45 mph or even less... like 25 for the Horseless carriages.

My single axle car trailer has made in USA 12 ply tires that are at least 20 years old... they are not radial.

It does seem we did build better longevity into tires... some of my friends collect WWII military vehicles and some are still running tires made in the 1940's... and you are right... they simply don't drive at high speed for for long periods of time.

Any multi-axle trailer can exert tremendous side pressure or scrub... I've seen loaded trailers literally pull tires right off the rims when negotiating a true hair pin turn on grade near my home...


Doubt I've ever hit 60 mph when towing... I set the cruise and figure it will take me a few more minutes to get where I am going and seldom have to touch the brakes... or look over my shoulder!