Here is what I have done. I do not order the regular trailer tires any more. A couple of years ago I had a local tire dealer advise me to use Mobile Home tires - They are the same size with no radials and are 10 or 12 ply can't quite remember off the top of my head.

Anyway I have had those tires on my trailer for 4 years and still going strong. The only thing I do is keep proper air pressure. Trailer Home Tires are stronger on the sides and designed to sit for long periods of time and not develop the typical bubble. Most places will have to special order them, but they are more expensive than your regular car tire but less expensive than the upscale trailer tire.

Just .02

Never thought about this even though I worked in the business 18 years. MH tires have some incredible load limits and all that Mr BmblBee says is true. If I had thought about it I could have bought them at cost and even gotten good used ones. Not that I would ever recommend it but you could even find these on your local black market. Tires were one of our number one theft issues. We even had a guy pull in to the back yard of a Ca. plant in broad daylight and just srtart loading them in to a pickup.

wouldnt get carlisle my bud got em and now there all lumpy and wore bad marathons are nice

stick with st trailer tires there called trailer for a reason

fFrom Tracker Tires::

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.