I am preparing for a long trip or what I consider a long trip pulling my camper a 2011 Puma 25BH. I will be pulling about 1500 miles round trip and want to put a new set of tires on it before we head over the mountains to the Outer Banks.

Any recommendations for tires and anything else I need to consider before I pull the trigger on a new set of tires?

Thanks for the feedback.

 

What size tires are currently on it and what load rating? What does the trailer weigh?

 

205/75r14 C load rating
Trailer dry weight 4400lbs

 

A lot of folks will recommend moving up to a 'D' or even 'E' rated tire. Others will recommend going to a light truck tire. I wouldn't recommend doing that without installing some sort of suspension upgrade on the TT itself such as the Equa-Flex. Stiffer tires are going to transmit more vibration, bumps, and jounces to the frame and interior of the TT.
On a fairly lightweight camper, I have found the OEM 'C' rated 14 inch tires are more than adequate when inflated in accordance with the tire and loading certification sticker.
I have found the Taskmaster tire to be a good reliable tire and it costs less than $80.00. https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Tir...c-14_Inch.aspx

 

That size 'C' load has a 1760lb max load rating. With a 4400lb UBW, 7040lb max weight rating should cover you OK. I'd CAT scale it loaded for travel, to be sure.

With that said, I'm one of those ST tire deniers. I wouldn't use them if you paid me. But, there probably aren't any LT options for 14" rims, so upgrading would be $$ and clearance issues...

 

Any comments in the Carlise brand?

 

While changing the tires I would suggest giving the axles, springs, brakes, hubs and wiring a good once over. We pulled our 10K lbs travel trailer from GA to Seattle and back this summer and ended up replacing 2 tires and an axle (did the work myself) because the rear axle straightened out causing the tires to wear on the inside only.

Removing 2 tires from a travel trailer at 11 PM just on the east side of St. Louis at a rest stop earned me a few beers when done.

I was forced to pay top dollar for a set of Goodyear the next morning because that was all the Wal-Mart had that I drove to while my wife waited for me to return. They are good tires, but not what I would have chosen if I could have bought them on my own time.

If you need axles though, Trailer Parts, Axles, Tires & Accesories | Sturdy Built are great people to deal with and have even better prices.

 

I had them on a 12 ft. Enclosed trailer and they are on my boat trailer. Nothing bad to say about them, they've given good service in those applications.

 

Goodyear Marathon tires are JUNK just like most of the Chinese ST tires made. Look at the Maxxis 8008 or the Kumho S857, if you have to go to 15" wheels to get a better tire then spend the money, you'll be way ahead in the long run. You don't want to be one of the guys on the side of the road with a blow out and the side of his rig all torn up.

 

Pick almost any brand you want and you will find lovers and haters. Until there is actual research done on the "what is the best tire" and "ST versus LT" debates, flip a coin.

My two cents,

Steve

 

It is also good to replace travel trailer tires every 4-5 years regardless of mileage.

 

You don't need a tougher tire carcass unless you are the only person in the known universe that doesn't drop the inside tires off on the inside of a turn here and there, like when a truck is riding the line on a 2 lane mountain road -- it's rough out there in the real world... Then is when you want might something stouter. We run E Carlisle tires now on the trailer and not a flat since they went on...