Replacement ST225/75R15 Tires for 2016 Keystone Ultra Lite Grand Touring Trailer

Question:

Good morning, I currently have the orignial tires, Trailer King Load Range D ST225/75R15 8pr 113/108L - Max load Dual 2200 lbs on my 2016 Keystone Ultra Lite Grand Touring Travel Trailer Tandem Axle, with very little mileage and no uv damage, but I still with to upgrade to 4 new and better rated tires for added safety and a slight increase in load capacity, if it is advisable. I do not overload my trailer, but I thought if I inserted a tire with a slightly increased weight capacity, that it would be a safer choice, but wasnt sure if I had to match the axle with a specific tire. I was considering upgrading to an AM1ST96 Bias Tire load range D, which matches my specs, but a bias rather than a radial, or ing the AM10303 Load Range E Radial, but wasnt sure if making the change and not matching what the manufacturers recommendation will result in too stiff or rigid of a ride. Also after a little research, it seemed though a bias tire would be more suitable for a RV rather than a radial, as per the internet, although Keystone chose a radial instead. Was this because of a lesser expensive cost option , or a better choice? After 2 1/2 years my chrome center caps have rust spots and I noticed a few different options on your website, and wasnt sure the best choice as for quality and longevity in reference to rusting for the best replacement ion. Your thoughts or other recommendations...... Thanks in advance,

asked by: Anthony M

Helpful Expert Reply:

For your 2016 Keystone Ultra Lite Grand Touring Trailer I highly recommend switching to the radial Kenda Karrier ST225/75R15 Tire - Load Range E # AM10303 that you mentioned for a couple of reasons.

First, it is always a good idea to have a healthy safety margin between the combined load rating of your tires and the loaded weight of the trailer. This allows the tires to run a bit cooler (excessive heat is the most common cause for tire failure) since they are constantly supporting less weight than what they can actually handle.

When choosing between a bias or radial option for a trailer like your Keystone Ultra Lite I definitely recommend going with radial. The primary difference between the two types is how the tire is actually constructed. A radial tire features cords that run at a 90 degree angle to the direction of travel (as opposed to a 32 degree angle on bias units) that allows it to flex more, have better ground contact, and usually run cooler when it's under load. A bias ply tire will have a stiffer sidewall that makes it a good option for off road applications like farm use but for standard highway driving a radial tire is the best option.

The Kenda Karrier # AM10303 features a maximum load of 2,830 pounds at 80 psi and an excellent speed rating of 81 mph (most trailer tires have a speed rating of 65 mph). It also comes with a limited 2-year warranty. I have attached a short video review that you can check out as well.

We do have a nice selection of trailer wheel center caps available, which I have linked below. The exact size you need will depend on the pilot diameter of your existing wheels but if you are worried about rust spots over time you will want to go with a stainless steel option, which is resistant to corrosion. If you can tell me your pilot hole diameter I will be happy to make a specific recommendation.

expert reply by: Chris R