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| Tow 'n Go Discussion of towing and trailering. |
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#1 |
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Vote Sheep Or Else
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Radial or Bias trailer tire?
So the sheep hauler is in desperate need of tires and I am pricing and deciding which. Any advantages on towing mileage from radials? Any other comments for or against
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#2 |
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"Able was I ere I saw Elba..."
![]() Join Date: 12-14-2006
Bike(s): VFR800 - CBR929 - VFR800
Posts: 3,635
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Radial...no contest.
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"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..." |
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#3 |
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Vote Sheep Or Else
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thought so but why
I am open to advice but would like to learn also.
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#4 |
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"Able was I ere I saw Elba..."
![]() Join Date: 12-14-2006
Bike(s): VFR800 - CBR929 - VFR800
Posts: 3,635
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I don't know much about tires, so I can't offer much insight there, just anecdotal info from pulling car trailers, boats and bike trailers.
The radials get better fuel mileage and longer treadwear...especially in the summer, or longer pulls where tire temp is an issue. So, the short of it is, the cost of ownership is less. (Slightly higher initial purchase, but longer life and reduced fuel costs.) One added benefit is that your trailer will be easier to jockey around in the drive by hand....
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"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..." |
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#5 |
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Turning is for p***ies
![]() Join Date: 12-13-2006
Location: Rocket City
Age: 35
Bike(s): 1KRR; VFR; FMX650
Posts: 8,077
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From my experience bias ply tires wear quicker (and uneven if even slightly out of spec or alignment), they develop flat spots quickly, overnight in many cases especially at cooler temps, which suck at highway speeds until the tire heats up and rounds out again. My recommendation is go with the radials.
Michelin site says: Michelin AG - Advantages - Bias vs Radial More info: Coker Tire
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Ducit Amor Patriae Richard Herald, The Gentle Giant For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. ---Leonardo Da Vinci |
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#6 | |
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Vote Sheep Or Else
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Quote:
![]() On a different topic you better beware. Sheepup '08 is going OK with 3 week 3 weekend to go I can fit my new hard armor under the leathers
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#7 |
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Love you too HG2!
![]() Join Date: 12-18-2006
Age: 34
Bike(s): Track 954 and Uly Bagger
Posts: 982
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Radial all the way....
When Bias-Ply let go they can shred the crap out of your trailer.....
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#8 |
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Vote Sheep Or Else
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Speed
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#9 |
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riki-tik!
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heres an alternative view
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#10 |
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Vote Sheep Or Else
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So I went with "D" load radials. First impressions on a tow to Baa-rber. It doesn't get more tail whip but once started it is harder to stop and continues longer. I plan on adding a sway damper. Mileage seems to have increased 1MPG but I will need more data before I am sure. Towing seems a bit smoother. Overall I would recommend the radials but add a sway damper (and maybe go to the higher load rating for stiffer tires).
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#11 |
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"Able was I ere I saw Elba..."
![]() Join Date: 12-14-2006
Bike(s): VFR800 - CBR929 - VFR800
Posts: 3,635
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Great follow up Sheep...
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"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..." |
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#12 |
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Who's driving?
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Working in the marine industry, we see alot of trailers and trailer wheels. Honestly, most trailer tires wear out from age and sun exposure. Unless your towing 10k miles a year, in the long run a $40 bias ply ST tire replaced every 5-7 years will probaly be cheaper in the long run than that $100+ Goodyear Marathon radial. Hell, I just bought wheels for a trailer project I am building, $49.95 got me standard 15x5 white trailer rim with a ST205-75R15 tire mounted. For $120 with shipping, I can replace them the entire wheel assymbly and throw away the old ones every 5-7 years and be money ahead and have nice, new wheels. that said, if your towing at near rated capacity, or alot of miles, the radials are probaly the better tire.
Mike |
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#13 | |
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Vote Sheep Or Else
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Quote:
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#14 |
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Vote Sheep Or Else
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So after one more trip I need to recant on the 1MPG increase. With the damper installed I was exercising the lead hoof early in the morning through the hills north of B'ham. The mileage was low but I was flying. With the damper on it the towing is perfect though. Now maybe I will just have to figure out how to keep top end at 65MPH
![]() It will be interesting to see how these hold up compared to the bias ply.
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#15 |
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See you next year, Eagles...
![]() Join Date: 12-16-2006
Location: New Jersey
Age: 49
Bike(s): '01 929, '07 gsxr 600
Posts: 2,790
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Bringing this back up...Sheep, what brand tire did you get?
My trailer came with the Goodyear Marathon radials when we purchased it in 2002. From a safety standpoint, how many years old can they be? This year is year #7 with them. They look ok, plenty of tread, no sidewall dryrot cracks? Should I replace them before our Grattan trek just due to the age? No idea on the total number of miles, but it's made several trips to Grattan, a trip each to Jennings, VIR, and Road Atlanta, with numerous more local trips (between 2 and 6 hours one way)....
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#16 |
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Who's driving?
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7 years is the recomended change interval. If they look good and not cracking at all, I'd probaly run them a little longer.. Its the sun and heat exposure that really does them in.
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#17 |
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Vote Sheep Or Else
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Mine say Hi Run on them.
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#18 |
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DILLIGAF
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Checking on tires myself for the trailer. The trailer tires in ST205/75D15 are $90.00 each, but can get a radial car tire for alot cheaper. I do not travel much in the trailer and usually a light load (1 bike and all the gear) maybe 3,000lbs.
These have great tread on them but they are starting to crack, it looks as if one is coming apart at the center of the tread. Any reservations to going with a car tire here?
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#19 | |
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no THIS is the one MrsSilver!
![]() Join Date: 08-28-2008
Location: Clio, MI
Age: 31
Bike(s): 08' 1k, Duc awaiting pkup
Posts: 3,699
Images: 23
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Quote:
Oh, and the quote I got was $80 for the set in the same size as you.
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