Re: Passenger tires on trailer?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration specifies that when passenger cars tires are used on trailer, the passenger car's load rating is to be decreased by 10%.
Radial Vs. Bias Trailer Tire
By Kyle McBride,
In evaluating radial versus bias ply tires for trailers, it must be said up front that tires for cars and trucks are not suitable for use on trailers. A common misconception is that radial tires are car tires and so are not appropriate for use on a trailer. The terms "radial" and "bias ply" are descriptive of the way a tire is constructed and in no way indicates what its use should be. In all cases, whether you pick radials or bias ply tires to put on a trailer, be certain the tire is rated for use specifically on trailers and is rated for the weight of the load and the speed at which you will be using them.
1. Tire Construction
o Bias ply tires--also known as cross-ply tires--are made of plies, which are layers of rubberized textile cords laid on opposing diagonals and anchored around the tire's bead wires. The diagonals are 30 or 45 degrees off the tire's circumferential centerline. Radial tires have reinforced steel cable belts beneath the tire's tread that run 90 degrees to the circumference centerline.
Puncture Resistance
o Radial tires, because of the durability of the steel belt construction, are more resistant to punctures in the tread than are bias ply tires. Radials are also less prone to punctures in the sidewalls because the tread and the sidewall act as independent components of the tire. The radial's tread stays flat on the road surface when the sidewalls flex under the weight of a load. The sidewalls on the bias ply tire will flex under a load and deform the tread, squeezing it and making the sidewalls susceptible to abrasion and vulnerable to punctures from objects on the ground surface.
Heat Resistance
o The same construction factors that make radial tires more puncture resistant also make them more resistant to blowouts from heat. The steel cables of the radial tire will aid in heat dissipation allowing them to run cooler. The heavy rubber and textile cording of the bias ply tire will hold heat, and so they will run hotter under a load[/B]. For occasional use trailers that are run short distances, the lack of heat dissipation of the bias ply tire may not be a factor at all. Radial tires may be the better choice, however, for long distance, frequent use trailers that will see many highway miles on a regular basis.
Handling and Traction
o Radial tires handle corners better than bias ply tires. This again goes back to the construction of the tires. The radial tire has more tread stability because of the independent nature of the sidewall. The radial sidewall can flex while going around a corner, but the tread will still maintain full ground contact, whereas a bias ply tire will roll and deform the tread, reducing stability around corners and reducing the amount of tread that is in contact with the road surface. When properly inflated, a bias ply tire is inherently strong, however, and so would make a good choice for straight line towing where cornering and traction are not factors.
Ride and Cost
o Radial tires give a smoother, quieter ride than bias ply radials. Radials also have longer life expectancy than bias ply tires. In listing the benefits of radial tires, it might seem like they'd be the obvious choice, but bias ply tires are less expensive.
Weighing Benefits
o The benefits of radial tires may not be fully realized enough to justify the additional cost if the trailer is used infrequently and for short distances. For long distance and frequent use, factors like cornering, puncture potential, expected life and heat buildup will need to be evaluated as they apply to the specific intended use of the trailer
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