Author	[Modern View]
Steve-Maine 12-26-2012 11:29:15 24.31.137.183 Report to Moderator	I'm getting ready to order an enclosed trailer to haul my antique cars. Is it worth the extra money to buy radial tires ??? I'll probably only use it 4 or 5 times a yaer. Thanks for any help [Reply]   [No Email]
Russel AZ 12-28-2012 11:04:09 74.47.98.96 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   Instead of an opinion I'll pass along a story. Years ago in the 70's I managed a farm store in the Nebraska panhandle. Had a customer running our bias tires on his cattle and hay trailers. About once a month he came in for a warranty tire as the sidewalls would give out. Knowing he was in the sand hills with a lot of those roads that were really just two bowl shaped trail ruts, I made his a deal. I would put 4 new radial tires, (at the time LR70's) on this trailer and if he didn't like them they were his for no charge and if they worked for him, he could come in a pay. He paid after a couple months. Put them on all his trailers. What was happening to the bias tires the sidewalls couldn't hold up to the bowl shape and the radials just folded to form. [Reply]  [No Email]
mkirsch 12-27-2012 11:43:16 64.80.110.75 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   What matters more than anything is: 1. QUALITY of the tire. Many trailer tire brands are not good. 2. HOW the tire is used. Overloaded and/or run soft is hard on a tire. 3. HOW the tire is stored. Left in the sun is really hard on a tire, especially a trailer tire that doesn't get used much. On a working truck the tires get rolled on a regular basis, which keeps the material supple. [Reply]  [No Email]
Pops1532 12-27-2012 16:12:53 98.227.131.18 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to mkirsch, 12-27-2012 11:43:16   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see I really thought I was going to be the guy to disprove that trailer radials needed to be replaced at 6 years or before. I never ran my tires under inflated. They were never over loaded. When not in use I parked the trailer on boards to keep the tires out of the mud. I made it past the 6 year mark. Made almost to 7 years. When I stop for fuel when pulling a trailer I always feel the tires to make sure they're not hot and visually inspect them for damage. On one fuel stop I noticed the profile of one trailer tire had changed from slightly convex to kind of wedge shaped. The other 3 tires looked fine and none of them were hot. Something like 8 miles later I was at a tire dealer getting a new tire when I noticed a second tire had done the same thing! [Reply]  [No Email]
Mike M 12-27-2012 10:37:56 24.140.0.120 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   We bought a small 4x8 trailer way back in 1976 or 77 it has a good heavy axle. It still has the original tires on it !!! It hasn't been used on road too much. Last time I had it out two years ago ? I made several trips moving tools over to my place about 10 miles round trip. I don't remember what brand or size but I'm sure they have to be bias ply being that old. They sure don't make tires that good anymore either. [Reply]  [No Email]
Stephen Newell 12-26-2012 20:28:51 66.53.80.51 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   I like bias tires much more. I put them on my jeep in 1998 and they are still good. As far as I'm concerned radial tires are the same as re-treads. I've had two trailers and three pickups beat up with radial tires delaminating. [Reply]  [No Email]
504 12-26-2012 19:46:22 199.127.54.155 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   Just make sure the tires are new and not 5 years old brand new( four digit number on the side wall near the bead is the build date). Do not order a trailer with the standard 3500# axles, get 7000# axles instead, bigger brakes and heaver tires. BTDT wrong. [Reply]  [No Email]
Steve-Maine 12-26-2012 22:55:23 24.31.137.183 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to 504, 12-26-2012 19:46:22   TO 504 I did order trailer with 5200# each axe to get bigger tires and 6 lug wheels. Thanks [Reply]  [No Email]
MSD 12-26-2012 18:35:11 67.4.60.56 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   I run 10 ply used tires from my pickup on my trailer. Rated for 3400 lbs each tire. [Reply]  [No Email]
Pops1532 12-26-2012 16:02:48 98.227.131.18 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   I've had 6 trailers in the last 30 some years. All but one had bias ply tires. Of all the bias ply tires on all those trailers I had one tire failure. Some of those bias ply tires were in service for a very long time. I never had a problem with the way any trailer has ridden or tracked. The one trailer with radial tires had two tires fail. I didn't buy into the radial trailer tires only lasting 6 years. Now I know better now. My radial trailer tires (including the 2 new tires) will soon be replaced with bias ply tires. You couldn't give me another radial trailer tire! [Reply]  [No Email]
Determined 12-26-2012 17:23:09 216.130.212.56 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Pops1532, 12-26-2012 16:02:48   Big gooseneck stock trailer no difference with bias or radial except 10 ply truck tires were cheaper to replace than 10 ply bias trailer tires, gross weight 32 000 lbs behind a dually. Smaller 2 horse tandem trailer I would not go on a 100 mile trip without two spares and usually used one. Axles very close togother, make a turn on pavement and roll the bias tires off the rims. Put radials on 7 years ago and have only changed one tire due to a chunk of steel in the sidewall. Single axle boat trailer radials smoothed out the ride enough that I don't break windshields anymore [yet] Dave [Reply]  [No Email]
S2710 12-26-2012 15:40:33 98.143.227.89 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   Son had a set of bias on his camper and going down the hiway the camper was darting all over the place. He put new radials on it stayes behind the truck and he gained 11/2 miles per gal. Bob [Reply]  [No Email]
GordoSD 12-27-2012 10:23:13 216.106.244.233 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to S2710, 12-26-2012 15:40:33   He needs to get an equalizer hitch, or transfer weight forwar in the trailer. Does he hav 10% of the gross trailer weight on his hitch? [Reply]  [No Email]
S2710 12-27-2012 10:52:04 98.143.227.89 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to GordoSD, 12-27-2012 10:23:13   He has more then enought truck to handle the camper,so his hitch is OK. I think that the ties were old and needed to be replaced. With the new tires on you don't even know it is behind you. Also his fuel milage got better. If the bias tire was so good how come you don't see bias tires on semi trailers anymore? Bob [Reply]  [No Email]
Pops1532 12-27-2012 15:59:05 98.227.131.18 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to S2710, 12-27-2012 10:52:04   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see The ONE good thing about radial trailer tires is they'll save fuel. That is why semi trailers use them. [Reply]  [No Email]
BTW-Id 12-26-2012 15:00:15 70.196.199.0 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   I have a tractor business and I haul my tractor on a tandem axle trailer almost everyday. I also have a tandem axle travel trailer. When researching tires to replace the tires that threw their tread on the travel trailer I found out that you want to use 'trailer' tires on tandem axle trailers because the sidewalls are stouter so that they can take the side scrubbing action when turning a corner or backing and jackknifing the trailer. I live in Idaho and trailer tires appear to be common here. Good luck with your project. This post was edited by BTW-Id at 15:25:29 12/26/12. [Reply]  [No Email]
welding man 12-26-2012 14:04:24 76.9.225.68 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   A lot of people don't realize that a 14,000 GVW trailer may not be able to carry that much due to the weight rating on the tires. When I replaced the tires on my flatbed gooseneck trailer I could not find 4 radial tires that would add up to 14,000# . I found 4 -12 Ply Bias that put me to 15,000#. I don't do a lot of long distance travel but I do haul heavy. [Reply]  [No Email]
sotxbill 12-26-2012 13:58:06 69.152.248.105 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   most folks will dry rot the tires in most cases.. so unless you the trailer tires that have the UV resistance sidewalls... cheap tires that give you the correct weight rating will do fine. Radials are probably more availible. Tires should be replace at 6 years for extra heavy work, and 10 years max for light duty due to dry rot. [Reply]  [No Email]
RayP(MI) 12-26-2012 13:40:12 207.241.137.116 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   We have a 6x10 foot cargo trailer - came with TRAILER radials. Not commonly available, had to buy a conventional bias ply for a spare. (new on rim.) As far as the advantages/disadvantages, can't see much difference. [Reply]  [No Email]
W_B 12-27-2012 11:27:39 155.188.247.20 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to RayP(MI), 12-26-2012 13:40:12   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see Both of the stock trailers I've owned have had trailer radials. Haven't run a bias ply tire since I got rid of my '66 Plymouth. Some low life stole my spare on the current trailer on the way home from a show while stopping for food, so I use a plugged trailer radial that was on the ground and bought a new rim and tire ($75) for the ground from a dealer. No issues with the radials, don't even know the trailer is following. [Reply]  [No Email]
fixerupper 12-26-2012 11:44:16 100.42.82.30 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   A radial rolls easier and rides smoother. For what it's worth, A few monts ago I put new tires on a trailer with tandem singles and the tire shop said they have better luck with radial pickup tires on trailers. Jim [Reply]  [No Email]
60 acre hillside 12-26-2012 11:42:55 67.142.170.21 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   I doubt if bias will be cheaper but I would much prefer bias. Radial offers three qualities each not needed with a trailer. They ride smoother, You do not need this. They get better traction. Again you do not need this because if it is a tandem they need to slip sideways in a bend, In fact a radial can grip the pavement so well that it can loosen from the rim. They wear better. Wear is not a consideration for a trailer tire used infrequently, Also a bias has a stronger sidewall. I would pay a premium for bias. [Reply]  [No Email]
RodInNS 12-26-2012 13:29:10 216.118.158.123 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to 60 acre hillside, 12-26-2012 11:42:55   BIAS trailer tires are not worth a flanegin _______. Wether you use it once a year or every day the radial will pay you over and over. Radial will also cost you about 30% more. I"ve seen bias trailer tires peel apart in less than 500 miles use. Smaller ones simply blow out... Never again will I own one. Rod [Reply]  [No Email]
Jim in Ma. 12-26-2012 11:41:02 72.70.97.191 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   I don't think it matters much. The one thing you could do is get some wheel covers to keep the sun off the tires. I got a set from a camper supply store. [Reply]  [No Email]
JF in CT 12-26-2012 11:34:45 71.88.46.81 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   About 20 years ago we put radial tires on a horse trailer we had. I noticed it no longer had a tendency to "jump or wag" when changing lanes on the highway when crossing the grove in the concrete. [Reply]  [No Email]
old 12-26-2012 11:33:54 209.86.226.34 Report to Moderator	Re: Radial or Bias tires for cargo trailer in reply to Steve-Maine, 12-26-2012 11:29:15   Bias tires did not know you could still buy those for any thing other then tractors and the like. I would go with Radials no matter what they stand up better and longer and they will also save $$ on fuel [Reply]  [No Email]