Top 10 Best Trailer Tires for Heavy Loads Reviewed and Rated in 2023

Freedom, adventure, and good times are all connoted by the presence of trailers. Many individuals believe that there is nothing better than taking a lengthy road trip while pulling a trailer that is completely loaded with all of their belongings, and we couldn’t agree more with them! If you do not adequately prepare for the lengthy trip, though, it has the potential to turn into a living nightmare.

In this context, tires are the primary topic of discussion, as is obvious. We have observed several situations in which significant collisions occurred not just as a result of worn-out trailer tires, but also as a result of using tires that were not appropriate for the task. In addition, the capacity of the tires to support the entire weight of the trailer is the primary focus of our conversation here.

Most of the time, people who own trailers will buy tires for their trailers that do not have a load rating that is enough for the weight of the trailer. It’s possible that the tires you buy will be suitable for the trailer on their own, but what about the extra stuff you want to haul inside?

When it comes to the tires for your trailer, it is essential to select a pair that is able to support the total weight of your trailer without any difficulty. If the tires do not have the appropriate load-carrying capability, you put yourself and others in a dangerous position when driving.

If your trailer is overweight, the tires on it won’t be able to offer you with the necessary stability when you’re driving, and this is especially true at greater speeds on the highway. In addition, when the tires are overloaded, not only will they wear out rapidly, but they also run the risk of exploding. Can you ever fathom having something like that take place when you and your family are traveling?

Heavy-duty trailer tires are the best option to choose if you want to ensure that your trip with a connected trailer is as secure and steady as possible. Due to the larger load capabilities of these tires, not only can they readily support the weight of the trailer, but they can also support the weight of whatever is loaded within.

In addition, heavy-duty trailer tires may prove to be more long-lasting than standard tires over the course of their lifetime, which in turn makes them more economical. This is especially true if you park your trailer for extended periods of time since tires with inadequate load ratings can soon deform under the weight of the trailer.

The problem with these tires is that there is not a great deal of information available on them. You should have little trouble locating all of the information you want concerning tires for passenger cars and trucks, but there is a dearth of information on trailer tires. A further disadvantage is that the names of trailer-tire manufacturers, such as Bridgestone and Michelin, are not as widely known as those of passenger-tire manufacturers.

You’re in luck since we’ll be able to guide you in making the best choice. We have created a list of what we believe to be the best trailer tires for high loads that are now available to buy straight online in this post. When you hit the road, you’ll want tires that are not only of good quality but also capable of withstanding the whole weight of the trailer. This will ensure that you have a ride that is both secure and comfortable.

A comprehensive shopping guide for these models has also been developed by us for those individuals who do not have a strong understanding of heavy-duty trailer tires. We strongly suggest that you check out the handbook because it provides helpful information such as load ratings, recommendations for interior construction, and upkeep instructions.

Therefore, without further ado, without more preamble, here is our list of the finest trailer tires for large weights that are currently available.

The 10 Best Trailer Tires for Heavy Loads Available in 2023

Best 8-ply and 10-ply Trailer Tires for Heavy Loads

1. Maxxis M8008 Radial Trailer Tire

2. Carlisle Trail HD Trailer Radial

3. Trailer King ST Radial II

4. Freestar M-108+

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Best 12-ply and 14-ply Trailer Tires for Heavy Loads

5. Westlake ST Tire (Load Range G)

6. Provider ST Trailer Tire (Load Range G)

7. Taskmaster Premium Trailer Contender (Load Range G)

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Best Bias-Ply Trailer Tires for Heavy Loads

8. Kenda Bias Trailer Tire (Load Range G)

9. Homaster V Trailer Tire (Load Range G)

10. Carlisle Sport Trail LH Bias

Heavy-Duty Trailer Tires – Buying Guide in 2023

The first thing you need to be aware of when it comes to trailer tires is that, in many respects, they are not the same as tires used on passenger cars. They can appear to be the same from the outside, but you can take our word for it that their operations are completely different from one another.

When it comes to tires for passenger cars, the first question that prospective purchasers ask is about the tire’s overall performance. People are particularly interested in learning about the vehicle’s handling in dry and rainy conditions, as well as braking, and how stable it is on the highway. Additionally, treadlife is of the utmost importance in passenger and truck tires because you will be driving a significant number of miles on them.

Now, of course, trailer tires ought to offer you a decent handling experience around turns and have a good treadlife for the duration of their use. On the other hand, in comparison to conventional tires, trailer tires do not spend nearly as much time rolling on the road. Because of this, the treadlife of these tires is not nearly as essential, and the longevity of these tires may be determined by the robustness of their structure.

In most cases, the load rating of a trailer tire has a one-to-one relationship with the tire’s strength, which is something that will be discussed in further depth below.

However, before we get into it, let’s look at the differences between truck tires and trailer tires in the first place.

1. The Difference Between ST-Metric and LT-Metric Tires

Even in the year 2020, there are still some drivers who choose to equip their trailers with LT-metric tires. According to the beliefs held by these individuals, LT-metric tires already have significant load capabilities, which ought to be sufficient to support the weight of the trailer in its entirety.

However, adding LT-metric tires on your trailer is something that we highly advise against doing. The term “LT” on these tires stands for “Light Truck,” and the sole application for which you should use them is “Light Truck”

Although LT-metric tires are very sturdy, the sidewalls of these tires are not even close to being as robust as those of ST-metric tires. Instead, LT-metric tires are constructed to provide you with quick steering, good traction during heavy acceleration, superb grip in the corners, powerful braking capability, and a pleasant ride. These benefits are in addition to the fact that they are measured in LT.

However, this does not imply that they can be used on trailers in any way. LT-metric tires are not intended to be parked for extended periods of time, especially when there is a significant amount of weight on them. If you keep these tires on the trailer for an extended period of time, they will soon warp, which will render them ineffective in the long run.

Because of this, we cannot stress enough how important it is that you equip your trailer with ST-metric tires. The term “Special Trailer” is denoted by the acronym “ST” on these tires. Because the internal architecture of these tires is far more rigid, there is no need to worry about doing any damage to the tires even if they are left in one place for an extended amount of time.

When you place big weights inside the trailer, the ST-metric tires’ stiffer sidewalls give you with much improved stability on the highway. This is especially true after you have loaded the trailer with more weight. Regular tires with LT-metric dimensions are prone to warping in the corners, which might cause the trailer to become unstable.

To be fair, ST-metric tires do not offer very good traction and are not particularly comfortable to ride on. However, when you give it some thought, you realize that these things aren’t all that significant for trailers because they don’t have any passengers or powertrains. In this context, things like strength, stability, and grip are of the utmost importance.

2. Load Range Capacity and Ply Ratings

The load rating of the ST-metric tires you buy is the single most crucial factor to consider when making the purchase, even more so than the tire measurements, which should be comparable to those of the tires that are currently mounted on your trailer.

These ratings indicate the maximum amount of weight that the tires are able to support before they become unstable when used on the road. The load rating of a product is essential to both its safety and its longevity. Tires that do not have adequate load ratings are not only unsafe but also will not last as long.

Before they were marked with letters, load ratings were referred to as “ply ratings,” a name that is still extensively used today. Today, the load ratings are designated with letters. The following is a list of the most common load ratings for trailer tires, along with the ply ratings that correspond to those values:

• Maximum load pressure of 35 psi (240 kPa) is permissible within the Load Range B (4-Ply Tires) loading category.
• Load Range C (6-Ply Tires) allows for a maximum load pressure of up to 50 psi (350 kPa).
• Maximum load pressure of 65 psi (450 kPa) is permissible within the Load Range D (8-Ply Tires) loading category.
• The maximum load pressure for Load Range E (10-Ply tires) is 80 psi (550 kPa).
• Load Range F (12-Ply tires) allows for a maximum load pressure of up to 655 kPa (95 psi).
• Load Range G (14-Ply tires) allows for a maximum load pressure of 110 psi (760 kPa).

We recommend placing at least “Load Range D” tires or 8-ply tires on your trailer if you want to use them for heavy-duty trailer tire applications. Tires with lower load ratings are often designed for use on trailers that are smaller and lighter. These tires are not well-suited for use in heavy-duty applications because of their low load ratings.

Now, in order to ensure your safety, you may always choose tires with greater ply ratings; but, doing so will cost you more money. Before you go ahead and click the “buy” button, it is strongly recommended that you perform a quick calculation first.

If your trailer has four tires, for instance, you need to ensure that the combined load capacity of all of the tires is more than the weight of the trailer. For example, depending on the type, 16-inch load range E tires (10-ply) have a load capability of approximately 3,000 pounds per tire. This information is based on averages. This indicates that you are able to transport up to 12,000 pounds with just four tires of this type.

However, we cannot stress enough how important it is for you to examine the tire specification list. This is because the load ratings of some models are reduced when a greater number of tires are used.

3. Radial Trailer Tires vs. Bias-Ply Trailer Tires

After determining the size and load rating of the tires, the next step is to consider whether or not you require radial or bias-ply tires for your vehicle. The internal architecture of every passenger car tire is radial, therefore this is no longer a question that people ask when they buy tires for their automobiles.

Tires with radial construction feature plies that are arranged in a radial pattern. Because of this, not only are they exceedingly light, but they also have increased responsiveness in the corners. In addition, radial tires have a stronger grip on the road, particularly when driven on paved surfaces. To put it another way, if you equip your trailer with radial tires, you’ll notice a significant improvement in its level of stability.

In addition, radial tires have a lower rolling resistance than other types of tires, which results in improved efficiency when it comes to fuel consumption. Last but not least, the treadlife of radial tires is significantly longer than that of bias-ply tires.

Having said that, the most durable option for tires remains to be those with a bias-ply construction. Bias-ply tires have a significantly more rigid design than other types of tires because the plies inside are angled at 45 degrees.

Because of this, they are a far more suitable option for driving across uneven ground, such as while off-roading or working in agricultural settings. Radial tires will be negatively affected when subjected to the same conditions. In addition, bias-ply tires may be parked for very extended periods of time without experiencing any kind of deformation in their shape.

Having said that, bias-ply tires are also heavier, which is a factor that negatively affects their performance on roads. Because of their decreased steadiness and responsiveness, these tires are not the greatest option for driving on the highway. You may also notice a decrease in the vehicle’s fuel efficiency as well as a quickening of the tread wear.

To summarize the situation, motorists who spend the most of their time behind the wheel on the highway should look into purchasing radial tires. To the contrary, bias-ply tires are the best option for usage in commercial applications, agricultural applications, and off-roading situations.

4. ST-Metric Trailer Tires Maintenance

If you don’t take the time to properly maintain your trailer tires, even the highest-quality tires you can buy won’t last as long as they should. The following are some easy suggestions that will help you extend the life of your trailer tires and keep them safe while they are being used on the road:

Always make sure the tires are correctly filled by strictly adhering to the pressure specifications specified by the company that made the tires. Take notice that the amount of weight you put on the tires will directly correlate to the amount of air pressure you need to put in them. On the highway, tires that aren’t inflated to the correct level will not only perform poorly but also run the risk of becoming utterly unstable. In addition to this, tires that are underinflated are more likely to crack and perhaps fall apart altogether. Inflating the tires above their recommended levels can potentially lead to problems; in extreme circumstances, they may even blow up.

Make sure the tires are protected from the sun at all times, but especially when the trailer is parked. The sun has the ability to rapidly breakdown the rubber found in tires and transform it into a substance that is similar to plastic. Tires that have been exposed to the sun for an extended period of time may lose their ability to cling to the surface of the road effectively and may become quite unstable when driven on highways. To avoid having to deal with this problem, you should make it a habit to always use tire covers.

Check to see how much of the tread is still present on the tire. If the tires on your trailer are worn out, there is a significant possibility that the trailer may slide when you are driving it over surfaces that are damp. If the tires have something called Tread Wear Indicators (TWI), you may use those to measure the depth of the tread on the tire. Alternately, you might do the Lincoln penny test, which involves inverting the coin and inserting it into the grooves. In the event that the entire profile of President Lincoln can be made out, it is not yet time to replace the tires.

Even if you don’t put that much mileage on your tires, it’s best to change them every four to five years for the sake of safety. The rubber compound that makes up the tires can grow more rigid with age, which reduces their capacity to cling to the surface of the road.

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