Can Radial and Bias Ply Tires be Mixed on Trailer
Question:
Hi, I have 2 new taskmaster bias tires and 2 used radial tires on my trailer now and was wonder if it would have been better to put radial tires on all 4. Can you mix radial with bias or is it not recommended? Thanks
asked by: Rod
Expert Reply:
I definitely recommend keeping the type of trailer tire the same for all wheels on your trailer. The reason for this is that bias ply and radial tires do not actually track the same, so you may end up with uneven tire wear. Having the two tire types on the trailer can also lead to suspension issues in more extreme cases.
A radial trailer tire is going to run a bit cooler than bias ply tires, so using two together can also lead to overheating issues on just one side.
I recommend changing to all radial tires on your trailer, as a radial tire flexes more than a bias ply, giving it better ground contact and traction. As already mentioned above, they will also run cooler and subsequently last longer than a bias alternative.
With that being said, since the two new tires on your trailer are bias, I certainly understand not wanting to swap those out. It will still be better to change the two used radial tires on your trailer to matching bias tires than to leave them mixed. If you can let me know the tire size on your trailer, I will be happy to make some recommendations. I have attached a couple articles on trailer tires that you might also find helpful.
