I was driving down the road alongside a rig hauling a trailer full of junk bound for the dump. The trailer had on brand-new or at least fairly new mud tires on it. Which brings to mind a question - why would you put good serviceable tires on a trailer anyway? Isn't it just following the vehicle that's towing it anyway? Okay, maybe something to remove water, like a cheap car road tire, but brand new mudders?

I've seen similar setups on tractor trailer rigs for years. Where the tractor will have good mud/snow tires, and the trailer will have the same set. Again, what's the point - seems like the driver is wasting money on tires - of course they're undoubtedly retreads so maybe he/she ain't.

So is there any reason why you would put good tires on your trailer - aside from having a matching set?

 

Just some thought's. If a tire goes out on a trailer is just as inconvenient and time consuming as on the tow vehicle so I could see the case for the same quality. Plus on a trailer there is the danger of spilling the load which could get real expensive plus liability issues. I'd enjoy hearing from some of the truckers on this one.

 

I buy the best tires you can get for a trailer, especially single axle trailers.

 

Sorry, but I am on my second set of "Any Size - 4 for $100" tires on my small trailer. I replaced the first set because they were 6 years old, not because they wore out.

This trailer has been everywhere. OH, IN, KS, PA, NC and yes, even Canada. No problems whatsoever. The tires are 215/75x15 and are rated at about 1800 lbs. each. The small trailer, even with a big car on it, does not gross out at more than 5000 lbs., so I am well within the load capabilities of the tires. The trailer itself is only rated for 7000 lbs.

No worries if you want to use better tires. But my experience is that the cheapo tires work just fine.

 

If the trailer axle was rated for 6k and had an 8 lug axle then the difference between a mudder tire rated for 3K pounds and a ST tire rated for 3k pounds is about the same money wise. The LT trie is probably cheaper if a 33" or under. Especially a 16.50 tire.

The thing with a mudder tire is it will not sink as quickly in mud and when you are backing the trailer up, the trailer is more likely to turn then being pushed sideways in mud and causing a jack knife. Especially if it is heavily loaded like mine is with firewood. When I have my trailer off road and I end up pushing it sideways instead of turning it I keep telling myself it is time to upgrade.

This way one spare fits the truck and trailer too.

Some people when they put a hole in a tire, especially a new one, it becomes unusable on their truck, but, with a patch they consider it good enough for a trailer.

The other is ride height. If you put 33s or 35s on your truck and not on your trailer, the trailer is tilted up too high, so you either get a drop hitch or bigger tires.

Why not a drop hitch? It will drag when backing down a hill! So, with bigger tires on the trailer you avoid that, plus, provide ground clearance for your trailer. I have hung up dual axle trailers before on tree roots in the mud. No fun at all.

Either that or the guy just used whatever he had on hand

 

You haven't lived until you try to change a flat on a fully loaded trailer. You can also be the point of interest to rubberneckers as they try to get you trailer and tow vehicle back on their wheels and out of the road or ditch.

 

Actually, yes I have. On my enclosed trailer coming home from a car show in KC. The tires were genuine Goodyear Marathon trailer tires.

But no, I have never changed one of the car tires on my small trailer, they have never had a flat (going on 13 years now).

Look, if you run over a nail the wrong way, you're going to get a flat, no matter what tire you have on the trailer.

 

one spare for all, better side to side traction. maybe he got a deal on em?

 

Thicker sidewalls on the mud tires, too. I know I have needed that on trailers in tight spots and in scrapyards before.
I would never question having good tires on a trailer. If you are already running near capacity, and have a tire blow, it can yank your truck into the ditch. It can roll you if it happens on the highway. Trailers have a lot more influence on vehicles than most people give credit for-