Selecting Special Trailer Tires ST225/75R15D for 10K 5th Wheel Trailer Making Long-Haul Trips

Question:

Wow!! so many choices of trailer tires. How can an owner of a 10,000 pound 5th wheel expect to decide on? Mine came with ST225/75R15D Radial. I would like to upgrade for long haul trips. Is there one brand that stands out? Thank you.

asked by: Pat G

Expert Reply:

You are right there are a whole bunch of trailer tire brands, not to mention two tire types and many different weight load ranges. We can help you sort it out to find the best fit for your 5th wheel.

You may care to get started with the two linked articles on trailer tires; they offer lots of good information that will not only help you make a selection but also help to ensure you get the most out of the tires you choose.

All ST-type (special trailer) tires in your size ST225/75-15 are displayed on the linked page. Most are radial but we do have bias ply options as well. For long-haul higher-speed highway driving the radial type is preferred since they run a bit cooler and offer a slightly smoother ride since they flex more. But if your travels routinely took you to off-road destinations then bias ply tires with their stiffer and sturdier sidewalls might be the better choice.

I recommend using the highest available weight load range tire in your size, in your case Load Range E, which means either Kenda # AM10303, Westlake # LHWL304 or Taskmaster Provider # TR225LRE. All of these are rated to handle 2830-lbs at their rated 80-psi pressure. Using a tire that can handle more weight than you ask it to means a cooler-running tire, which is always a good thing. There is no down-side to using a tire with a higher weight capacity; there is only the up-side of that tire typically running cooler since it is not being operated at its limit.

Speed ratings for the Kenda and Taskmaster are 81-mph maximum, but the Westlake is rated only to 75-mph. So I would go with the Kenda # AM10303 or Taskmaster # TR225LRE since both offer a 2-year warranty. Prices are very close to one another. As a "tie-breaker" you may want to check out our customers reviews of these products.

It is very important to observe any trailer tire's specified inflation pressure (again all of these are 80-psi COLD pressure). It is never appropriate to under- or over-inflate a special trailer tire for any reason. There are no benefits to doing so and you risk tire failure because incorrect inflation, either too high or too low, will lead to heat build up and that is the main reason tires fail.