If you spend a lot of time on your feet, you know the importance of a good pair of shoes. If you’re a runner, you need different shoes than someone who golfs. They fulfill different needs and are not interchangeable, so you want to find the best shoes for the activity. The same is true of choosing the best trailer tires.
Take a look at how having the right tire for the job can make all of the difference.
What’s the Difference Between Trailer Tires and Regular Tires?
Although it may seem that tires should be interchangeable as long as they’re the correct size, they’re not. If you try to use a regular passenger vehicle tire on a trailer or vice versa, you could find yourself with a blowout–or much worse.
Trailer tires are specifically designed to handle the weight and road factors that occur when towing.
Pro Tip: You’ll want to avoid buying the wrong type of tires for your RV. Learn more about the special tires your RV needs.
What to Look for When Buying Trailer Tires
The subject of finding the right tires is expansive, and we’re not going to throw you into it blindly! Here are some things to look at before you buy.
Sidewall Strength
The sidewall strength of a tire can make a big difference in how long your tire lasts and how the ride feels. Having adequate sidewall strength can reduce your rig’s sway.
A stiff sidewall helps the tire carry an RV’s heavy load. Most trailer tires are only single-ply sidewalls but you may need more if your trailer is very heavy.
Weight and Load Rating
Just sticking any tire on your rig isn’t enough. You need to know the weight of your trailer and the weight rating of the tire. Putting a tire that has a lower weight rating than your trailer can lead to underperformance at the very least. At worst, it could lead to a dangerous blowout.
Weight ratings for tires are usually provided by a load index or a letter system D, E, F, G, etc. Unfortunately, the actual weights the tires can carry still vary between manufacturers so getting the weight off the tire’s sidewall information is important.
Speed Rating
Did you know that lower-end trailer tires may only be rated to go 55 miles per hour? If you exceed this speed with your trailer on the highway you will damage their tires and can have a dangerous blowout. Trailer tires almost always have lower speed ratings than cars and it’s important to know this for any trailer.
Pricing
Everyone loves a good deal, but if a deal sounds too good to be true, it often is. A good quality trailer tire will be an investment in your RV.
The correct tire should fit into your budget but remember you get what you pay for. And if you also need a rim, you’ll likely need to purchase that separately.
Warranty
As with most purchases, you want the company to back its product. A good company takes responsibility if there’s a defect. Each company and product offers a different warranty length as well as conditions of use.
If a company’s warranty makes you feel uncomfortable, continue looking. If you’re traveling full-time, verify that company locations around the country will accept the guarantee.
Reviews
Reviews help you gain knowledge from real-world experiences. A person selling tires might say anything to sell you the tire. When, in fact, they may have never used the tire themselves and cannot accurately represent the performance.
Other experienced camping enthusiasts can give you a better view of a good tire based on personal use. Keep in mind, though, that people post reviews when they experience the good and the bad. Take your time and get a good feel for how satisfied customers are on average.
The Best Trailer Tires for Your RV
The tires you pick are an investment that helps protect your RV and helps you avoid a potential flat tire. You want nothing but the best when it comes to tires for your RV!
1. Carlisle Radial Trailer Tires
Carlisle Radial Trailer Tires are for towing trailers, boats, and RVs over both short and long-distances. The max capacity of each tire is 2,830lbs with a max PSI of 80. The Carlisle tire has a unique pattern that wears evenly and is constructed with heat-resistant materials.
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They’ll fit a 15-inch rim. Carlisles also have a defect-free guarantee for two years.
2. Trailer King Radial Special Trailer Tire
The Trailer King Radial Special Trailer Tire has a load capacity of 2,833lbs. It fits a rim size of 15 inches and has an L speed rating, which means it can safely carry a load up to 75mph.
- Center groove for consistent tracking & stability
- Enhanced shoulder design provides better heat dissipation...
- Nylon overlay construction on all sizes for superior strength and...
With a Nylon overlay construction on all sizes, it features higher strength and durability. Plus, there’s a center groove for tracking and stability, and customers appreciate the nationwide limited warranty.
3. Goodyear Endurance All-Season Radial Trailer Tires
Ask about tires in any RV group online, and many will point you toward Goodyear. These tires have a load capacity of 1,700lbs and are USA-made. They’ll fit trailers that use a rim size of 14 inches.
- Designed for use on trailers
- Black sidewall
- Built with Durawall Technology to help the sidewall resist cuts...
With this Goodyear tire, you’ll get a rugged fabric-steel construction that offers improved durability and carrying capacity while remaining compatible with tire pressure monitoring systems. It comes with a scuff guard, which helps protect the sidewall from wear and tear.
4. Maxxis Radial Trailer Tire
The Maxxis Radial Trailer Tire has a load capacity of 1,820lbs per tire. This tire will fit a 15-inch rim (rim not included in this purchase). The Maxxis Radial has a 6-ply rating. Not to mention, it has double-steel belted construction for added strength and towing stability.
- Tire only, no wheel included
- 6 Ply Rating
- Advanced tread compound designed to decrease rolling resistance...
This tire is a “high-speed radial” with an R speed rating, so it has a max speed of 106mph (although we doubt you’ll be towing your RV at those speeds!). Due to its advanced tread compound, you can expect extended tread life.
5. Grand Ride Free Country Trailer Tire
This is a set of four Grand Ride Free Country Trailer Tires. These tires come with a Load index rating of 117.00, giving you 2,833lbs.
- Set of 4 New Premium Radial Trailer Tires 225/75R15 10PR, Brand:...
- Full cap ply ( nylon overlay cross entire tread area),...
- Featured "Scuff Guard" ring on tire wall for better tire side...
They’re heavy-duty, full-cap 10-ply rated (an upgrade from many other products) with a scuff guard ring on the outside wall to help protect the tire.
They have an L speed rating and a variety of sizes to fit your specific rim size.
6. Goodyear G614 Tires for Heavy Trailers – Our Personal Favorite
While these tires are some of the most expensive, the Goodyear G614s are well-known as some of the best tires for heavy fifth wheels. With deep removable treads, they offer extended life and superior traction. These tires can offer you peace of mind when towing heavy and are what we have personally always used.
- Package Weight: 57.5 pounds
- Package Height: 9.3"
- Package Length: 31.8"
The Best Tires Offer Safety and Comfort
When considering all these options, remember that there are strong opinions out there regarding which tire company produces the “must-have” tire. The important thing is that you find a tire that gives you the most safety and comfort for your specific situation.
Good luck with your search!
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Dalton Bourne
Sunday 22nd of August 2021
There are many things I love about this Trailer King ST Radial Trailer Tire: First, the enhanced shoulder design is something my particular trailer would benefit from through its ability to boost tread life and even wear, the center groove with help my trailer deal with all the wear and tear it’s going to experience on all those highways. Additionally, the nylon overlay adds to this feeling of this tire being able to handle the workload I require.
Dalton Bourne
Thursday 26th of August 2021
The Trailer King ST Radial Trailer Tire is a top of the line, high-quality product from a tire manufacturer that caters explicitly to trailer owners. In being so, there are many things I love about this product.
Samantha Nichols
Thursday 22nd of July 2021
I am on my second set of Carlisle tires. They are probably the best price on these types of tires for your trailer that you will find. These tires work well. I placed four of these tires on a tandem axle flat bed, inflated to the maximum rating with trailer weight and load exceeding 8000 pounds. These tires shown little to no wear for this trip.
James Harvey
Monday 19th of July 2021
No.2 are awesome tires. Even if the tire has gone and the tire is completely bald, you can still drive, then you can see the metal wire and the tire is still intact. Great tire. Good price for E load range.
James Harvey
Saturday 31st of July 2021
I bought more of them for spare tire, totally satisfied with it. Would recommend it to anyone.
Cristi Hill
Thursday 15th of April 2021
Do you know if it is acceptable to run a higher rated tire than originally came on your camper? We have a Lance 2185 which only came with C rated tires. I would like to put D rated tires on. Is that ok to do?
Mortons on the Move
Saturday 17th of April 2021
As long as they are the same size yes it's fine and in fact many people do that to get the extra peace of mind.
Clay Autery
Wednesday 14th of April 2021
You need to check your specs on the Goodyear Endurance tires. The lowest max weight rating is 2040 lbs on the ST205/75R14 and it goes UP from there.
My ST225/75R15 tires are 2830 lbs max.... just like most E1 tires.