Radial or Bias trailer tire?

SheepOfBlue · 02-10-2008, 01:37 PM

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

Baketech · 02-10-2008, 01:46 PM

Radial...no contest.

SheepOfBlue · 02-10-2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

Radial...no contest.

thought so but why

I am open to advice but would like to learn also.

Baketech · 02-10-2008, 02:48 PM

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....

seamus · 02-10-2008, 04:51 PM

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

SheepOfBlue · 02-10-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamus

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

So do you got four laying around

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

DEPO · 02-10-2008, 09:05 PM

Radial all the way....

When Bias-Ply let go they can shred the crap out of your trailer.....

SheepOfBlue · 02-13-2008, 04:45 PM

Speed

All "ST" tires have a maximum speed rating of 65 mph.
As heat builds up, the tire's structure starts to disintegrate and weaken.
The load carrying capacity gradually decreases as the heat and stresses generated by higher speed increases.

If that is correct I think the hours of 75MPH going to Miller "may" have been the issue

figment · 02-19-2008, 04:26 PM

TRAILER TIRE ARTICLE

SheepOfBlue · 03-14-2008, 10:21 AM

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).

Baketech · 03-14-2008, 10:28 AM

Great follow up Sheep...

G-ForceJunkie · 03-14-2008, 02:12 PM

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

SheepOfBlue · 03-14-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-ForceJunkie

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

A few thousand a year and one trip to Grattan. Fair weight (not capacity) and the minimum trip is 2 hours each way. Also those $50 tires are not as easy to find, seems like things went up. Also I got 4 tires

SheepOfBlue · 04-16-2008, 08:17 PM

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.

HondaGalToo · 05-26-2009, 11:33 AM

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)....

G-ForceJunkie · 05-26-2009, 08:38 PM

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.

SheepOfBlue · 05-26-2009, 08:58 PM

Mine say Hi Run on them.

Hammer · 06-20-2009, 12:20 PM

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?

08silvercbr · 06-20-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer

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?

I just talked to Discount Tire on this yesterday. For the weight we are using he told me it didn't matter which as long as they match. Don't use one bias ply and one radial together.

Oh, and the quote I got was $80 for the set in the same size as you.

02-10-2008, 01:37 PM	#1
SheepOfBlue Ewe need to know braking do ewe? Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Age: 47 Bike(s): CBR1000RR, RC51, VT500FT Posts: 8,731	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 __________________ Not a crop circle creator

02-10-2008, 01:46 PM	#2
Baketech "Able was I ere I saw Elba..." Join Date: 12-14-2006 Bike(s): VFR800 - CBR929 - VFR800 Posts: 2,654	Radial...no contest. __________________ "Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."

02-10-2008, 02:48 PM	#4
Baketech "Able was I ere I saw Elba..." Join Date: 12-14-2006 Bike(s): VFR800 - CBR929 - VFR800 Posts: 2,654	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.... __________________ "Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."

02-10-2008, 04:51 PM	#5
seamus is feelin alright Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Rocket City Age: 35 Bike(s): 1KRR; VFR; FMX650 Posts: 6,457	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 __________________ 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

02-13-2008, 04:45 PM	#8
SheepOfBlue Ewe need to know braking do ewe? Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Age: 47 Bike(s): CBR1000RR, RC51, VT500FT Posts: 8,731	Speed All "ST" tires have a maximum speed rating of 65 mph. As heat builds up, the tire's structure starts to disintegrate and weaken. The load carrying capacity gradually decreases as the heat and stresses generated by higher speed increases. If that is correct I think the hours of 75MPH going to Miller "may" have been the issue __________________ Not a crop circle creator

02-10-2008, 09:05 PM	#7
DEPO Godspeed, #20 Join Date: 12-18-2006 Age: 33 Bike(s): Track 954 and Uly Bagger Posts: 861	Radial all the way.... When Bias-Ply let go they can shred the crap out of your trailer..... __________________ Welcome to the Dance!

02-19-2008, 04:26 PM	#9
figment riki-tik! Join Date: 02-03-2007 Location: St. Paul, Texas Age: 50 Bike(s): Yamaha WR250X Posts: 1,331	heres an alternative view TRAILER TIRE ARTICLE

03-14-2008, 10:21 AM	#10
SheepOfBlue Ewe need to know braking do ewe? Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Age: 47 Bike(s): CBR1000RR, RC51, VT500FT Posts: 8,731	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). __________________ Not a crop circle creator

03-14-2008, 10:28 AM	#11
Baketech "Able was I ere I saw Elba..." Join Date: 12-14-2006 Bike(s): VFR800 - CBR929 - VFR800 Posts: 2,654	Great follow up Sheep... __________________ "Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."

03-14-2008, 02:12 PM	#12
G-ForceJunkie Who's driving? Join Date: 12-15-2006 Location: Castaic, CA Bike(s): BMW GS1150 ADV, DRZ400 Posts: 944 Images: 1	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

04-16-2008, 08:17 PM	#14
SheepOfBlue Ewe need to know braking do ewe? Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Age: 47 Bike(s): CBR1000RR, RC51, VT500FT Posts: 8,731	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. __________________ Not a crop circle creator

05-26-2009, 11:33 AM	#15
HondaGalToo Let's ride!! Join Date: 12-16-2006 Location: New Jersey Age: 49 Bike(s): '01 929, '07 gsxr 600 Posts: 2,327	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).... __________________ “I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can't see from the center.” ~Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

05-26-2009, 08:38 PM	#16
G-ForceJunkie Who's driving? Join Date: 12-15-2006 Location: Castaic, CA Bike(s): BMW GS1150 ADV, DRZ400 Posts: 944 Images: 1	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.

05-26-2009, 08:58 PM	#17
SheepOfBlue Ewe need to know braking do ewe? Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Age: 47 Bike(s): CBR1000RR, RC51, VT500FT Posts: 8,731	Mine say Hi Run on them. __________________ Not a crop circle creator

06-20-2009, 12:20 PM	#18
Hammer DILLIGAF Join Date: 12-17-2006 Location: Indiana Age: 39 Bike(s): 05 Suzuki 600 Posts: 6,297 Images: 12	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? __________________ Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.

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