Any of you on the dark side ?

Anybody running car/truck tires on their trailer instead of the STs ?

 

I thought the only reason to run trailer tires on your trailer was because they are cheaper than radial tires.

If you can afford it, I don’t see the problem.

 

This title had me intrigued but then it was just trailer tires lol

 

Trailer tires also usually have thicker sidewalls.

I'll keep to using trailer tires for the trailer just in case something happens. You know how sue happy this world is don't give um no reasons.

 

So I’m confused, I can put load range E tires on a truck and load it up to 16,000 pounds, but if I put the same tires on a trailer they become dangerous?

 

We run them on our small trl. we have for hauling our side by side (6X12), when the originals got worn enough, I put on some 205-70-15s from of the old S-10 with more than half the tread left. They worked on a 7 hr. one way trip to go ice fishing, and in March they are going on the same trip. They seem to work OK.

 

I run matching rims and tires on my 5x8 off-road trailer, as it allows me to carry one spare.

 

I'm sure you be fine towing. But again if something happens lawyers will find anything to stick it to you. If its not rated for it, its not rated for it plain and simple. Doesn't matter if we agree or not.

 

Did not expect so many replies.
We are about to get our enclosed trailer (6x12) which we will use to camp in. I looked at small RVs, but the prices are just stupid. I know people with mortgages and regular jobs and car payments dropping 80k on a fifth wheel, like WTF, man. We looked for the smaller ones like @Cowboy59 above, while it is under-ish 15k, the sleeping space is an issue. We have 2 dogs now and we no longer fit in the back of the Runner; those don't offer that much more space.
Will I take it on some trails? Yea, sure, but nothing crazy. It's full aluminum for weight savings and larger payload capacity, but mostly we got it to fit a full queen size bed and a 4ft table. We don't need a shower/sink or a toilet. The occasional ATV +gear for the 1-2 hunting trips a year. It comes with ST205/75/15.
I have been reading a lot and they all say the STs have stiffer sidewalls and the rubber compound made to dissipate heat easier. By the same account, my loaded 4R is easy 4700lb + 2 of us +gear =well over 5200lb; which puts the load ~1300lb per tire. The trailer is 1179lb empty with a GVWR 2996lb.
The Wildpeaks are rated at 1930lb per tire on the 215/75/15 - just an example, I know the stocks are 205s. Toyo Extensa AS are at 1598lb.

Why change? Because I keep seeing lots of failures on my friends' trailers, because most ST are cheap Chinese crap (so I am told) and I would rather not stop at 2AM in the boonies, somewhere up north, outside of cell coverage, to change a trailer tire. I am ok to spend the money to get something reliable.

 

@Dillusion - see Cowboy59s trailer, those are regular rims and tires, a lot of them come like that from the factory. An ST tire will never take any sort of light abuse on a trail.

 

I'm not doubting it will work fine. Those came from the factory like that.

Now take a trailer that says to use trailer tires and something happens. Hopefully it doesn't but you get the idea.

 

A lot of trailer companies are now selling LT tires as a pricey option over ST Chinese garbage.

You will be perfectly fine using heavy duty truck tires on your trailer.

An E rated LT Tire is vastly better at everything than an ST.

 

Please read. I'm not saying it won't work or you won't be fine.

But if you slap a E or LT tire on your trailer and it specifically says use trailer tire only your choice. Factory slaps on E or LT then thats their recommendation obviously.

 

I have heard a lot of good things about Goodyear endurance trailer tires made in USA. They only make a handful of sizes though.

I used to get the Marathons by them and they moved to China and became garbage.

Now after much research I am trying Maxxis. They have great ratings made in Thailand. The Endurance I mentioned is not available in my size for my trailer otherwise I’d buy those. I have several friends who love them

 

I am

 

I'm curious what trailer you ended up buying. I've considered building my own travel trailer. It seems like it could be a cool project. Probably not for a few years, but I like seeing what others are doing.