Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

Jeff's advice cured my trailer tire problem years ago. Listen to him. I didn't know trailer tires are speed rated to 65 MPH. I used to never drive that slow. Fuel has gotten so expensive, and since I have pretty much retired, I tow a little slower now. LOL
I had 6 lug 15's, I bought 16" wheels at a local trailer supply, and 10 ply Michlien tires. No more tire problems. Tows so much better. Trailer doesn't bobble when meeting big trucks on 2 lane roads now.

Had to tear a fender off my trailer in the middle of the night next to south Dallas to learn the hard way.

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

I was having problems with 10 ply 15 in. tires blowing out on my trailer, 5,200 lb. axles with 6 lugs. Switched to 16 in. and haven't had a problem since. It's worth the peace of mind also. Again, listen to Jeff, he knows what he's talking about!

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

First, never underinflate trailer tires in an attempt to "match" their weight capacity to a load on them that is less than their max rating. E-rated tires take up to 80 psi and don't run less than about 75 even if the trailer is light. Second, it is best if they are loaded not over about 80% of max, especially if you want to run about 72 mph across the big western states where 75 mph is the speed limit. Third, if there is any chance the trailer weight is near the max for the tires, weigh each wheel's load to be sure the weight is evenly distributed and no tire is overloaded.

When we get info about problems with 15" that were "solved" with 16" truck tires, sometimes it is caused by bad 15" trailer tires, especially Chinese made tires. Sometimes it is caused by high highway speeds on overloaded tires, and the 16" tire had a higher weight capacity and is more forgiving of 75-80 mph in hot weather. It is very easy to load a lot of stuff into the trailer that doesn't seem so heavy on an item-by-item basis, but in aggregate was too much.

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

The only tires I've had good experiences with are the 16" commercial tires like the Goodyear 614, the Bridgestone R250, or the Michelin XPS Rib. What all these tires have in common is that they have steel in the sidewalls. Be careful using any LT truck tires on your trailer.

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

Know that this thread is old but has anyone used Hercules E tires, ?

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

Check the sidewall carefully; place of mfg is usually near the bead. I think they may be made in China. If so I would avoid them.

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

I have been seeing a lot of Firestone Transforce on race trailers ( 16E ) ......anybody got any trailer use info on these or had time to test them ?????

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

Rusty,
I have them on both my dually and my 48' LQ trailer. I have never had an issue. This is the second set on the dually. They have only been on the trailer for one season.

Sean

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

I did this 7/8 yrs ago. Makes a huge difference towing. I got my steel wheels, gray ones, for something like $30 ea. from Southwest Wheel. I think it's part of SWTrailer or something like that. I found some 10 ply 215/16's that were the best fit on my 28 ft trailer, and a good weight rating. Look for a LT truck tire. IMO! They will last the longest. Had 1 go since then. I've towed from Ga to Fla, to Va, to La and Tx. A lot of these guys have a lot more miles than me, but, to me it was a no lose deal.
Unfortunately, unless you do a lot of digging to find some of the few tires still made here, you gonna find Chinese everywhere. Good luck !