Up until a few months ago, I had a trailer tire eating monster. A 30ft fifth wheel that weighed in around 11,000#'s. I burned through a set of Carisle's in about a year's time. I did finally stop my tire troubles by doing two things.

First I went to a larger tire size/diameter and load rating. Actually went to a LT235/85R16 load range E (OEM Ford F-250/F-350 tire). For those who are having issues, try a higher load rated tire.

But the most important thing I did was install stainless steel valve stems. Once I went to those my troubles stopped. I would bet anything that leaking air pressure on the road and stem failures were more than likely the cause. Since I was always riding on the brink of being overloaded that once any air pressure changed, i was overloaded and blew the tire.

I run Goodyear Marathons on my bassboat and car radials on my jon boat.

Trailer axle alignment could be a factor in your case. You can get a trailer sales, repair, or builder to check your trailer axle alignment for you.

Trailer tires marked "ST" as in ST205/75R14 are known as Special Trailer tires. The cold inflation pressure for this
size Marathon load range C tire for max load is 50 psi.

It's important to note that ST tires have a maximum speed rating of 65 mph at their max load cold inflation pressure.

Goodyear says their Marathons can be run at 66-75 mph max only if the cold inflation pressure is increased by 10 psi as long as the wheel is rated for the increased pressure.

I bet a lot of trailer tire blow outs occur because of towing too fast with maybe low tire pressure. Even at 50 psi the speed should be limited to 65 mph max.

Those long stretches of Interstate highway with a 75 mph speed limit have probably claimed a lot of trailer tires that were towed faster than their 65 mph speed rating.

I' had 4 Goodyear Marthons on my trailer for 10 years with now problems at all.

George

I know that trailer tires are made differently than normal truck tires because of the bouncing load you have on the trailer. That being said, I have a 17ft flat bed tandom axle trailer that i use on the farm and for lost of other things. My gradfather (the original owner of the trailer) was rearended at a stop light in his 1984 F150 at a stop light 10 years ago. The truck was totaled but my gradfather worked out a deal with them and got the tires and wheels off of the truck at the tow yard because the tires were very new, undamaged and had plenty of tread left. He put these four tires and wheels on the 17ft flat bed trailer. Those tires have been on the trailer for 10 years now and have done great. He and myself have carried loads on the trailer way heavier than a big bass boat and the tires have done great.
You wouldnt want regular 1/2 ton truck tires on a 40ft goose neck trailer carrying a bocat and other heavy equipment of that weight but on a boat trailer they would be fine.

Tires should not be used for more than 7 years. Using tires over 7 years old is dangerous.

One of the main keys to tires going bad is them setting in one spot and out in the sun all the time. Since I have kept my boat garaged for the past 10 years, I haven't had a problem with tires. I have Goodyear Marathons. If you have to have them outside, buy you some of the RV tire covers to protect them.

I do believe in "you get what you pay for", but due to economic times I just bought two from www.tireeasy.com. They are Gladiators ST205-75-R14. Paid $50 each and $30 S&H. They are still holding air!

Just bought a used boat and need to replace the tires. It has one new GY Marathon so I was thinking of adding 3 new GY Marathons to round out the set. After reading all of these posts I may consider Carlisle. Which Carlisle's should I get from Discount Tire? I see USA Trail for $80 on special and Radial Trail for $92 (ST 205/75R14). I also see Radial Trail for $94 (ST 215/75R14). What is the diff for ST 205 vs. ST 215? Thanks for your help.

OK guys. I bought some bias-ply tires for my boat trailer. They are made by Goodyear and are rated for much more than my boat, trailer and gear weight.
Has anyone had problems running bias ply tires on their boat trailers?
I know when I was a kid that is all we would run on heavy equipment trailers and several of the cattle trailers.

Please stay away from Carlisle. IMO these tires are not worth the cost. I tow my boat a lot and I just had to replace mine after 2 years. No flats, just weird wear. The dang tires were kept at 50psi but wore out the edges on all 4 tires. They all wore the same without being rotated on the trailer.

OPUS on this forum had the same issue with his Carlisle tires. I think there's some sort of design flaw there.

My Carlisle's were the radials.

I agree that high speeds are bad for these trailer tires. I've lost two Carlisles lately at high speed. One was at 70+ the other at close to 80 while passing a car on the way back from Falcon.(not save I know). Neither tire blew, but both had the tread seperate. The 80mph one had the tread fly off and the 70 mph was about to. I'll be taking it a little slower from now on.

The previous Merathons seemed to hold up a little better at speed.

I have had bad luck with Marathons. I have one Carlisle now, and I am having another Carlisle put on the other side tomorrow.

I agree that pulling a boat trailer at 75 mph or more is not a good idea...for a number of reasons.

Well, I've had a knot pop up on another tire. That makes 3 from this set since the Falcon trip. I really think I abused those tires on that trip with the speed and the bad pavement in some areas on HWY 16. Those tires had been good for two years prior.

My conclusion... speed and heat kills these tires. Old news to some I know, but I had never given it much thought.

Always use a boat trailer specific tire. I don't care what tire brand. Have each tire and wheel balanced and keep the pressure at 50 psi. I get new tires every 5 or so years.

Do not get your trailer tires at Walmart. I bought four and had to replace three the first year! I got screwed on the deal there! Bought four Cooper trailer tires and have had them on for three years and they are great! Only 70.00 a piece!!!

Southwest Wheel and Tire,Dallas. Web site is Trailerparts.com. Check out the wheel and tire combo prices.

If you live near a trailer manufacturing place (any kind of trailer), they will have the best price and best tire for what ever rating you need. I can purchase tires and rims for my 19' + 150 hp rig for about $75 + tax. The tires have been excellent and never had a blow out or a cap come off.

a cheap tire will get expensive quick and at the worstime
i had my wife pull my boat about 3hrs and boom !!!needless to say i had to make up acouple of great weekends making it up to her . when i should of been on the water . but that what i get for going cheap . good thing is my boat was ok !!!!!!

I agree with the Specialty Trailer Tire supporters out there. I've had good luck with Kenda tires. I've also had good luck finding great prices on recstuff.com. Hope this helps.

What is a good top brand tire out there that is not a GY Marathon or a Carlisle, and not a trailer house tire. There has got to be something, I have read this whole thing and really can't come up with anything consistant.

I prefer Kumho or Hankook trailer tires. They have served me well for numerous years on heavy livestock and flatbed goosenecks without failure. I'm sure they make a trailer tire to suit your particular need. I would check into these two brands first when looking for a trailer tire.

Here's all you need to know. Get a trailer specific tire,get the tire and wheel balanced,run 'em for 5 years,then repeat.