Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Most trailer tires are not designed to go over 60 - 65 mph. At higher speeds, the centripetal force acting on the tire forces the center portion of th tire on the tread to pull inward which adds more stress on the sidewalls, thus causing tread separation, belts letting go, sidewall blow-out, etc.
I am just as guilty as the next out there travelling well over what I should be on those tires. (up to and sometimes above 70mph) it is definitely NOT the thing to do, plus going that fast with a trailer puts a bunch more stress on your own engine reducing gas mileage significantly.
If you are running bias ply tires, going over 60 can be a real danger since bias ply are prone to blow up (like all the semi-truck tires out there that you see shredded and shards all over the road) due to excess heat build up. The tread design is not the most efficient to expell the heat like a radial tire can. Plus bias ply will reduce your mileage as well.
I am one who believes that in MOST cases, tire failure is NOT due to the tire itself, but improper inflation, care, over-driving (speeding) and possibly over-loading. Most trailers I have seen come with radial tires now, and they have off brands made by various companies...not a major issue, but the big thing is to look at what load range the tire carries. Most come with load range B. If you can, get load range C or higher if possible.
Steve |
