Radials or non-radials?

[Gary H NC]

Looking at 4 new tires for my tandem trailer.There is only about 13 bucks difference in the radials and non-radials. I was wondering what would be more stable at highway speeds. These are load range C trailer tires.
Any input?

 

[JB]

Re: Radials or non-radials?

Radials. They will get you better mileage, too.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Radials or non-radials?

we just put 4 on the Chris Craft, last weekend, same price for either here, balanced & tax, $298.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Radials or non-radials?

Radials it is! Thanks guys!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Radials or non-radials?

OK! Suppose you get a flat. Can you use a non radial spare or is it like a car--don't mix tires.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Radials or non-radials?

it's fine. if you use it as a spare, and not keep driving on it. like i see people do with donut spares on cars. years ago, was with a friend who did'nt have a spare. tandem axle, of course we had a flat. jacked up axle. use bow line and strapped axle up, removed tire and limped home. how, unsafe was that. the funny thing is the friend was a tire dealer.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Radials or non-radials?

I run radials on a single axle, no problem. On tandems, if I have a heavy load I don't like the sidewall shifting I get with them in a turn.

So, it's either 10 ply radials or 6 ply bias for me.

Now, have I ever lost a tire because of sidewall flexing on a tandem......no!

So, what's the beef?

I just don't like it and just because I haven't doesn't mean I wouldn't in the future.

What's the point of all this?

I dunno!

Mark

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Radials or non-radials?

Radials have a huge advantage over bias ply tires in that they generate a lot less heat. This due to their lower rolling resistance. If you tow long distances, tow a heavy load and/or tow in very hot weather, the radials are the tires to get.

 

[mystro]

Re: Radials or non-radials?

So, it's either 10 ply radials or 6 ply bias for me.
Mark

I'm shopping and researching this now and noticed the ezloader single axl (2200# boat) has 205/70/15 6ply Goodyear Marathons which are likely just fine for safety with this load but when I change I will need to move up in size to get 8ply and I could not find a Marathon 10ply ST? Agreed, the sidewall flex on heavier loads should be a consideration and the bias ply are much stiffer and work excellent on trailers from what I've read in the horsetrailer forums.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Radials or non-radials?

mystro, i you case i would go with a "D" rated tire. they area available in both
http://www.championtrailers.com/tire.html

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Radials or non-radials?

I have never seen an "ST" 15" tire in a 10 ply rating.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Radials or non-radials?

I had to stick with 205-80-13...wanted a size bigger than the originals but would have to buy new rims and go with 14's....wasn't in my free gift card budget Oh well...got all new rubber and 60 miles is as far as i tow one way. The old tires crumbled when i broke the bead down on the tire machine,I can't believe they made the 110 mile trip to get the boat home

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Radials or non-radials?

The 10 ply I was referring to was not an ST; an LT tire that a lot of the jobbers run around here. I run the bias tires on my tandem, but it is not a boat trailer and sits in the yard most of the time. My boat runs on Load Range C, ST radials; single axle.

Mark