Top 10 Best Trailer Tires [Buying Guide]

We all know traveling with an RV or a trailer is a thrilling adventure, but it can become frustrating if you don’t use the right trailer tires. Finding the best tires is a daunting task. It means you have to go through hundreds of reviews, if not thousands, studying their features, and gauging the compatibility and right sizes.

It’s also common to get confused when looking for trailer tires. There are so many options that the market has to offer. If you don’t know what special features you should consider, your buying decision will become one heck of a thing.

We have scoured through the internet to find the best trailer tires and compiled a list of recommendations. In this guide, we will highlight a few points you need to keep in mind to make an informed decision.

So, read on to find everything you need to know about it!

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Best Travel Trailer Tires Reviewed

Maxxis M8008 ST

The M8008 ST is the best trailer tire you can find on the market today. These trailer tires come with a section width of 225 mm and a rim size of 15 inches. They are rated for a load capacity of 2830 lbs. The tread depth of these tires is nine 32nd and a load index of 117.

Your purchase will only include the tires, not their wheels. The tires come with an advanced design for the tread compound to reduce the rolling resistance that your tires will face. It means you will get plenty of fuel efficiency. It is also excellent for the overall tread life with minimum chances of drag.

Maxxis has constructed these tires with a double steel-belted design to add more strength and durability. Additionally, you will get plenty of vehicles towing flexibility and stability from these tires.

Another excellent feature of these tires is they provide you with ample shock absorption, so you won’t have to worry about the stuff in your trailer. These tires are for superior load handling and come with an M speed rating.

However, you need to make sure you buy them from a quality supplier, and your tires are not older than a year. These tires are only good if your rims are rated for 80 PSI. Otherwise, they won’t perform well at all, and you will lose fuel efficiency too.

Pros

• Max load capacity of 2830 lbs at 80 PSI.
• Advanced tread compound construction.
• Reduces rolling resistance.
• Better fuel efficiency as well as tread life.
• Added strength with double steel-belt design.
• Better shock absorption.

Cons

• Only work well with 80 PSI rated rims for top performance.

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Trailer King ST

These radial tires by Trailer King also come with a section width of 225 mm while the tire diameter is 28.3 inches. The rim size of these tires is 15 inches, and they come with a load index of 117. The tread depth is ten 32nds, and the overall load capacity of these tires is 2833 lbs.

These tires feature a center groove that ensures better stability and tracking. Trailer King has also enhanced its shoulder design to provide improved heat dissipation. Therefore, you will get an even wear and a better tread life. These tires come with an E speed rating.

These tires also feature a nylon overlay design to guarantee superior strength and reliable durability even for various applications involving high loads. With the improved tread design, you will get a decreased rolling resistance, and there won’t be any heat build-up.

The only issue with these tires is that there are only five plies on the tread and two on the side walls. So, it’s not a 10-ply tire, which means there are lesser parts of the tire in contact with the road.  However, they do come with a good load rating, so they perform pretty nicely.

Pros

• There is a center groove that ensures stability and tracking.
• Better shoulder design for improved heat dissipation.
• Improved and even tread wear.
• Nylon overlay design for better strength.
• Superior load handling with durability.

Cons

• These tires don’t handle high pressure and warm temperatures very well.

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Carlisle Radial Trailer Tire

Carlisle’s trailer tires have a section width of 205 mm, so their laid capacity is 2150 lbs. Still, they do come with a tread depth of 9 32nds and a load index of 107. The rim size of these tires is 15 inches with an M speed rating.

With eight plies, these tires have decent tread wear even at full load capacity. With this design, these tires also have superior heat resistance and increased durability. But you will have to make sure that you properly inflate your tires, or they won’t perform well at all.

These trailer tires are better suited to work with smaller towing vehicles, but you can use them with larger vehicles. They will work better with the rims that come with a 65 PSI rating only.

If you are looking to go down the road throughout the trip, these tires will work great. But if you are looking to get off-road and keep in mind that their tires won’t last very long.

Pros

• The load capacity of 2150 lbs.
• Better tread wear with an 8-ply design.
• Increased durability with advanced tread compound.
• Better heat resistance.

Cons

• These tires are not designed for off-road conditions.
• Not the best option for warmer climates.

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Kenda Loadstar ST

These tires come with a speed rating of D, and their max load capacity is 1610 lbs. Their section width is 175 mm, and they work best with rims that come with a 65 PSI rating. These tires are designed to work with smaller trailers as well as smaller towing vehicles.

They are pretty durable, and they perform well in different road conditions. You can even use them in hotter climates conveniently. But make sure you only go for these tires if you have 65 PSI rims.

These tires also proved to be a good option if you are looking to use them as a spare. There are not many safety issues that you will be dealing with when you have these tires on. Kenda Loadstar tires come with a capacity to handle off-road conditions as well.

But it would be better for you to use them more on the road. Occasional off roads trips won’t cause much damage to them. As these tires come with an 8-ply design, therefore, they will roll pretty smoothly, and your vehicle won’t face any resistance.

It also means that your fuel efficacy will increase trifold. But the same can’t be said for off-road conditions.

Pros

• Excellent fuel efficiency.
• Best suited for smaller trailers.
• A decent load capacity.
• 8-ply construction wears very well.
• Advanced tread design for superior stability and control.

Cons

• These tires will handle off-road conditions, but frequent visits will reduce tread life and feudal efficiency significantly.

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eCustomRim Trailer Tires w/ Rims

These eCustomRim trailer tires come with rims featuring black spoke wheels. These tires are rated C for speed and a bolt configuration of a 4.5-inch center with 5 Lug.

These tires are fully compatible with all popular boat trailers, including Yamaha, Ranger, Nitor, Mako, Karavan, Lund, Crestliner, Sea Ray, River Pro, and so many others. Apart from that, these tires will fit nicely with a range of other cargo and utility trailers like Miska, Lark, Carry-On, Big Tex, Road Force, and others.

They come with a section width of 205 mm and a max load capacity of 1820 lbs. But you will have to keep in mind that they only need a maximum pressure of 50 PSI, so you can only use them on 65 PSI rim or lower.

These tires come with a 6-ply design, so tread wearing will be pretty well provided if you don’t overload them. If you have a smaller trailer, you will find these tires pretty handy. They are pretty safe to use, and you won’t need to have rims because they come with them.

Pros

• These tires come with their rims.
• The 6-ply design wears evenly.
• Excellent fuel efficiency.
• Decent heat resistance.
• Good quality, long-lasting tires.

Cons

• Only suitable with rims lower than 65 PSI.
• Not suitable for larger trailers.

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Wheel Express Trailer Tires

Interested in buying super economical tires for your smaller trailer? You don’t need to look any further. These trailer tires by Wheel Express some with a max load capacity of 1360 lbs and a speed rating of C.

But being low budget doesn’t mean you will have to compromise on quality. And the best part is that you won’t have to go for different rims either. These tires come with their rims, so installing them on your trailer won’t be a difficult job.

These tires also work pretty well on various cargo, utility, and boat trailers from different brands. They arrive in good condition and have a decent tread life as well. The best part is that they won’t wear out unevenly, and I’ll provide you with good mileage and fuel efficiency.

These tires are designed to reduce the drag and come with improved shock absorption. But you will have to be slightly careful with them because they require some maintenance, especially the wheels, on the inside they have a paint coating.

And when the paint comes off, the wheels are exposed to rusting and corrosion. To prevent that from happening, you will have to coat the wheels with paint or oil to make sure they keep going.

Pros

• Max load capacity of 1360 lbs.
• An excellent choice for boat and utility trailers.
• These tires come with rims.
• Installing them is pretty simple and easy.
• Better field economy and reduces rolling resistance.

Cons

• Only suitable for smaller trailers.
• Not the best choice for off-road conditions.

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Freestar M-108 Trailer Tire

The M108 trailer tires by Freestar also come with rims, and they have a section width of 205 mm. The tread depth you will find on them is ten 32nds, while the rim size is 15 inches. These tires come with a J speed rating, and their max load capacity is 1820 lbs.

These tires might look as if they can be used for vehicles, too, but that’s not the case, and you can only use them for your trailer. Moreover, these tires come with an 8-ply construction, and for that, they provide your trailer with an excellent load grip. You won’t have to deal with sway much when these tires are on your trailer.

You can conveniently use them off-road and won’t have to deal with any issues like low fuel efficiency or high tread wear. These tires will work pretty well with 65 PSI rims.

However, these tires might not be the best option for your new boat or cargo trailer, but they do work pretty well on a semi-used one. If you are looking to use them as an aspiring, then that’s good too.

The tread doesn’t wear fast no matter what the road conditions are, and you will get a fine fuel efficiency as well. There is no lagging or rolling resistance with these tires when you inflate them 65 PSI.

Pros

• Pretty decent fuel economy.
• Improved tread compound for even wearing.
• These tires come with their rims.
• Best suited for boat or cargo trailers.
• Can handle tough road conditions pretty well.
• Excellent value for money.

Cons

• These tires didn’t have a date on them when they were made.

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eCustomRim LRC Trailer Tire

We have already talked about what these tires by eCustomRim bring to the table in terms of value. The LRC tires are very much the same, and they come with a C load rating.

These tires’ max load capacity is 1820 lbs, and the maximum air pressure they can tolerate is 50 PSI. Therefore, go with the rims that come with this rating. As these tires come with their rims with the bold configuration of 4.5-inch center five lugs, you won’t have to deal with much mess.

These tires are fully compatible with a different boat, cargo, and utility trailers from other brands. Their installation is pretty nice and easy because they also come with their valve stem installed.

They arrive fully assembled, and you just need to install them on your trailer. It’s pretty convenient, especially if you are looking to go for a new tire for the first time.

But keep in mind that these tires are not designed for heavy loads. Their tread is not designed to take up a heavy load so that you can carry it off-road.

Pros

• Come pre-assembled.
• Very easy to install, especially for first-timers.
• Decent tread wearing in the long run.
• The maximum load capacity of 1820 lbs.
• Suitable with 50 PSI rims.
• Best choice for a boat, cargo, and utility trailers.

Cons

• Can’t bear too much weight when going off-road.
• Not the best in warm climates with heavy loads.

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Wheels Express Silver Mod Trailer Tire

Another one by Wheel Express, the Silver Mod trailer tires also come with their rims and offer a good value for money. The section width of these tires is 205 mm, while the rim size is 15-inch. These tires come with a load range of C, and they have a 6-ply tread construction with a total load capacity of 1820 lbs.

With the 6-ply construction, the tread on these tires wears pretty evenly, but if you go off-road a bit too much, it will wear out quite quickly at full load. However, this tire provides a pretty good road grip, and it also won’t sway. It’s a good choice for you to consider if you own a boat, utility, or cargo trailer.

These tires come with tread wear indicators as well. So, you will know when it’s time to replace your tires. But if you take them on better road conditions, you won’t have to deal with the tread wearing issue any time soon.

These tires are pretty lovely, and they also tow behind your vehicle pretty comfortably. They can also handle warm climates provided that you don’t put too much weight on them.

Pros

• Rims are included with the tires.
• These tires can handle warmer climates.
• The total load capacity is 1820 lbs.
• Superior tread design for better road grip.
• Improved fuel efficiency with reduced rolling resistance.

Cons

• They can’t take excess load very well in off-road conditions.

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Free Country Trailer Tires

These trailer tires by Free Country come with a section width of 205 mm and a rim width of 5.5 inches. The load index of these tires is 101, while the speed rating is L. They come with a rim size of 15 inches.

These tires don’t come with rims, but your purchase will include a pack of four, there are different sizes also available, and you can go with the one you need according to your trailer’s size.

These tires’ 6-ply design makes sure they don’t wear unevenly and have a deep tread to ensure a longer life. You will surely notice that these tires don’t wear out easily, no matter the road conditions. It might seem you can use these tires on your vehicle, too, but you can’t because these tires are only designed for your trailer.

These tires come wrapped in cellophane, which means they are pretty tight when packed. You will have to lay them out in the sun so they can come into their shape before you start installing them on your trailer. If the temperature is not right, they might even take a couple of days to stretch out fully.

Pros

• They have pretty thick tread on them.
• Available in different sizes.
• Good quality construction.
• Treads don’t wear out that easily.
• A pretty impressive fuel efficiency.

Cons

• The sidewall is a weak point.
• They need to be left in the sun so they can fully stretch out before you install them.

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How to Choose the Best Tires for Trailers?

Choosing the perfect tires for your tailor can be quite rough. With so many options to explore, you will have to conduct a severe bit of research before finalizing your decision. But this buying guide has sorted things out for you as it contains all the essential aspects of your purchase of these travel trailers.

Type

Primarily, there are two types of trailer tires. One is radial tires, and the other one is bias tires. Radial tires are better suited for asphalt or concrete pavements. They handle hard surfaces very well. Additionally, they can also handle high temperatures relatively well.

On the other hand, bias tires have flexible sidewalls and are better suited to off-road conditions. These tires are much better in terms of their overall load capacity, and they are not made for speeds.

Radial tires enable their sidewalls to function independently from the tread. Whereas bias tires feature multiple plies made of rubber, and they continuously overlap each other as the tire rolls.

But radial tires do perform better than bias tires, and you will notice the difference between them quite easily. Radial tires give you a much smoother ride than bias tires, and you also won’t have to deal with much bounce or sway.

Radial tires also have much better durability, but bias tires can conveniently carry heavier loads over off-road conditions. In a simple perspective, radial tires are built for speed, while bias tires carry the load. Therefore, radial tires are better for long trips on paved roads, while bias tires are better for short trips off-road.

Size

Before you decide which trailer tires to go, you need to see what size requirements are for your trailer. But locating the tire size isn’t that difficult. You can find it right on the sidewall of your tire. Plus, you will find a combination of letters as well as some other numbers. You will also see that these tires come labeled for trailer use only.

For instance, if you have seen ST205/75R15 written on your tires, the first two letters mean they are Special Trailer tires. So, you can only use them for your trailer. 205 here refers to the width of the tread section in millimeters. The 75 is the height of the sidewall in a percentage compared to the tread width. R means the radial tire, while the 15 in the ends means this tire will fit on a 15-inch rim.

Smaller trailer tires come with a smaller combination of letters and numbers on them. Mostly these combinations look like 5.70-12 written on the sidewall. Here, the 570 refers to the tread’s width, while 12 means the rim’s size. You see, it’s not that complicated. You can conveniently see these numbers and choose the right size that fits your trailer.

Max load capacity

In addition to size, you will also have to deal with a trailer tire’s maximum load capacity. This is also given on the sidewall of your tire. This max load capacity is represented by four letters. You will either see B, C, D, or E written there.

When you the load range C, it means that the tire’s laid capacity is 1820 lbs. But this is the case if you have a single ale setting. You will have to subtract 12% from the 1820 lbs to get the load rating in a double axel set. Therefore, you will have to match this number and choose the right tire accordingly.

Usage

How much are you going to use your trailer is a big question that you need to ask yourself when buying the tires. Whether you will be towing daily or monthly or maybe annually. And of course, the road conditions also count in.

For example, if you are going on a long road trip using highways, a wood quality radial tire will suffice. And if you are looking for a short but bumpy track for your trip, you will need to go for bias tires.

Cargo weight

Another important factor that you will have to weigh in is cargo weight. It’s the weight that you will load in your trailer. Make sure you don’t exceed the max load capacity or end up burning out tread pretty fast. It can essentially prevent a disaster on your trip.

Durability

You will surely need something reliable and durable rolling underneath your trailer. And for that, you will have to go with a quality brand. You don’t want to change your tires now and then because it’s such a headache and can be catastrophic.

Your best option is to invest in top-quality tires so they can last for a long time to come. It will have a huge impact on your overall road safety and will always be convenient. This is something where you should ignore bargains for sure.

FAQ

Why do I need trailer tires?

Trailer tires are specifically designed for your trill, and you can’t use them on your vehicle. They are different in construction and design if you compare them with your vehicle tires. These tires are designed for towing a trailer. You can tow a trailer behind your vehicle safely.

The right trailer tire is exceptionally durable and can last for years, even decades, if you use it properly. These tires also come with a higher laid capacity than your towing vehicle and feature reduced rolling friction. Due to their durable construction, they also don’t need much maintenance.

How many types of trailer tires are there?

There are two types of trailer tires: radial and bias. Radials have steel belts inside them, and they run perpendicularly for the centerline of the tread. These tires are great for traction, ground contact, stability, flexibility, and tread wear.

On the other hand, bias tires are different because they are made of piles that will work at a 30-degree angle. These tires have a more flexible sidewall, and they work better in off-road conditions. These tires can conveniently handle heavier loads as compared to radial tires.

How can I prevent these tires from dry rotting?

Dry rotting can be caused by low inflation, prolonged exposure, and lack of use. You should check your tires monthly for inflation, as suggested by the manufacturer. Also, store your tires somewhere in your garage, an area with an environment you can control. Protect the tire rubber too. You can place a board between asphalt and your tire to prevent heat from the asphalt to damage your tire’s rubber.

Conclusion

The winner of this roundup of the best trailer tires is the Maxxis M8008 ST. These tires are pretty high-quality ones, and they come with a max laid capacity of 2830 lbs. These radial tires work exceptionally well in various road conditions and are better suited to go with 80 PSI rims.

You have to make sure that you check the size and weight rating before you make a purchase. It would allow you to get the most out of your money, and you will end up buying a tire that will last for a long time.

Also, make sure that you properly inflate your tire and check the instructions that it comes with. It’s not only suitable for the safety of your vehicle and your trailer, but it will also keep you out of harm’s way.

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