I have a small 22 foot tandem axle 5th wheel. It has 205 x 75 x15 CAR tires on it. The weight is around 5000 lbs. I was recently told that it had to be TRAILER tires. What do you guys think? Incidentally I have had car tires on it since I bought it used around 5 years ago.

 

what weight can the car tires handle? If you are withen the weight ratings, I think you'll be fine

 

Trailer tires are preferable, but as long as you're within the tires' rating, they should be OK.

 

trailer tires are supposed to last longer and be more stable, but I have used passenger tires for many years and been ok, but be sure your weight rating is ok. If I were using brand new tires, I would get trailer tires instead, but I generally have plenty of used tires available. It depends on the miles you run too, as my trailer doesn't get run a lot of miles, and new tires would be dry rotted long before they would wear out.

 

I use car tires. Have for years. Work great.

 

Short answer, yes they will work if rated for the work being done.

Trailer tires have a stiffer side wall so the trailer may be more stable on the road. They also have more UV inhibitors to keep them from dry rotting. The other thing to consider is a tandem axle trailer will subject the tires to very high deflection when turning tight like when backing into a parking space. The trailer tire is better suited to this task.

Like I said, they should work just fine, but the trailer tire would be a better choice.

 

I use car tires on my 5th wheel. And yes Cmprspecial they sure do not react very well when backing the unit into a spot.

 

Trailer tires should be replaced every 5 years or so anyway.

 

I had nothing but trouble using car tires on my car hauler. Got some load range E trailer tires by Maxxis about 3 years ago and haven't had a failure yet. I'm convinced.

 

There are not any car tires that are Load Range E. Load Range C is about the best you can do.

If you are hauling heavy enough to need Load Range E, then I am not surprised that car tires did not work for you.

 

E range is probably a little overkill for my loads, but better to err on the high side. The question is about a 22 foot fifth wheel trailer that weighs 5000 lbs. so I suspect he needs something better than car tires just like I did.

 

actual trailer tires also wear better, with a tandem there is alot of rear scrub, so the rears wear out faster, and car tires have alot of sidewall flex.

 

If car tires have been fine and you are still worried, then step up to a LT235/75r15c. That should give close to a 10,000 pound capacity, will fit the rims, and are fairly cheap.

 

My small trailer is a tandem axle (3500 lbs.). I put 215/85/15's on it. Each has a load rating on <2000 lbs. 1800 lbs., I think. So total load rating for the 4 tires is around 7200 lbs. I did have 225's or 235's on it, which have a rating of a little over 2000 lbs. each.

I rarely have over 4500 lbs. on it. So I am loading the tires at around 1100-1200 lbs. each.

I have had the trailer 12 years or more. Hauled cars to PA, NC, MO, KS (leaving for Indy next week). The trailer has also been to Ontario, Canada and back (although empty, I did not buy the truck). I've never had any trouble.

True, prior experiences do not necessarily predict future events. And I do agree that the stiffer sidewall of a trailer tire could help reduce sway. But cheap (4 for $100) car tires have worked out well for me.

As far as wear and UV, I replace the tires every 5 years (on my 3rd set with the trailer in 12 years). Wear and dry rot just have not been an issue.

BTW - I bought a 32' car hauler (14,000 lbs. GVWR). It came with E-rated trailer tires. I needed a spare and bought a complete wheel and tire from Trailer World, or eTrailer or some other big on-line trailer supply house (I forget which). The tire that they sent to me was an E-rated BF Goodrich truck tire.

 

I do not recommend using car tires or even LT's on a trailer. Many will debate me on this, and I have even done it myself. But the facts are just as someone stated earlier. Trailer tires are best due to their resistance to twisting the belts as they pivot in place while turning tightly backing in, etc.

Maxxis and Goodyear TS are the best. My Goodyears lasted ten years. (yes I hear that gasp.!) They do recommend only 5 years. Use nitrogen and they will last longer, Keep them covered and lubed with 303 protectant or finish 2001.