Best ST175/80-13 Trailer Tires to Avoid Blowouts

Question:

hello, i am looking to replace my trailer tires and the spare to be safe. i currently have carlisle st175/80d13s on the trailer. to be honest i have to hand it to carlisle. these tires are easlily 22 years old, and i have gone from milwaukee to nashville and back twice, and milwauke to michigan and back this past weekend. never an issue. but as i look to replace, my total weight is probably closer to 1500, and im reading a r tire is better than a d. so m dilemma is, do i keep with what worked forever, or switch tires? please recommend the best tire. i pull a 16 foot 1974 tri-hill fiberglass boat, with 85hp motor, on an equally old and sturdy heavy trailer. mostly just 20 mins to a lake a back, but the occassional long trip as mentioned. i hear horror stories all the time about trailer tire blowouts and luckily ive never had one. want to keep it that way. thanks

asked by: Todd T

Helpful Expert Reply:

Trailer tires should really be replaced every 6 to 8 years at minimum so the fact you've gotten multiple decades out of your trailer tires is pretty amazing. You must have taken great care to keep them out of the sun or weather because usually they'll show signs of wearing and cracking well before that.

But as for the best option, you definitely want a radial tire over a bias tire for standard road use. Bias tires are more for agricultural use with stiffer sidewalls, while radials run cooler and flex more, making them much better for road use, whether on the highway or short trips. The best ST175/80R13 tire is from Provider:

- Provider ST175/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range C # TTWTRTM1758013C

The Provider # TTWTRTM1758013C has a maximum 1,360 lb capacity (per tire) and is the best is because of its deep 10/32" tread depth, which is the deepest of any ST175/80R13 tire, its 81 mph speed rating is also tops for this size, and it is the best constructed tire overall.

expert reply by: Kyle S