Selecting Trailer Tires for 1500-lb Maximum GVWR Tent Trailer

Question:

I have a tent trailer maximum height fully loaded is 1500lbs. It has 20.5x8x10 tires. Understand tire should be fully inflated. Should I go with 10 ply and inflate to 90psi, or is it better to have lower ply, like 6 and inflate to 50 psi. I believe 10 ply for is better for durability but may ride hard or be hard on the trailer or other side effect?. thanks

asked by: Keith

Expert Reply:

You are correct that any trailer tire, regardless of size or weight rating, must be inflated to the maximum psi pressure that is indicated on the tire's sidewall. A tire can deliver its rated performance only when fully inflated to the manufacturer's pressure specification.

The tire size you have, 20.5x8x10, has a corresponding metric size designation of 205/65-10 and in this size we offer both tires alone and tires that are premounted on wheels. All are bias ply types that can be seen on the link provided. Two wheel bolt patterns are available for the pre-mounted products, either 4-on-4-inch or 5-on-4-1/2-inch.

For your 1500-lb trailer a set of Load Range B tires/wheels such as Kenda # AM3H350 (rated for 910-lbs at 35-psi) will be adequate, but if you want some additional capacity for a safety margin you can choose a Load Range C item such as # AM3H390. A higher capacity tire will run somewhat cooler.

You can use the filters in the left-hand margin of the linked page to sort the available products based on your preferences and wheel bolt pattern. The two linked articles will give you additional information on tire sizing and performance characteristics.

expert reply by: Adam R