I will just add a few thoughts I have on TT tires in no particular order of importance.
1. While GY has a quality problem with their Marathon ST tires (15" size as I remember) a few years ago I don't think if they are made in China is a bad thing. BTW from what I understand GY is now making them in the U.S. and you can order/get them thru WM for around $100 ea.
2. I've been using GY Marathon ST tires for the last 13 years and have put close to 40K miles on like 12 or so tires with never a problem. I've also heard good things about Maxxis trailer tires. These two would be the only ones I would put on my trailer.
3. If you trailer is stowed where the sun hits the tires replacing them about ever 6 years is probably a good idea. My trailer tires are never in the sun so I will probably go 10 years unless I see them start to crack. I also douse them with 303 every couple of months.
4. I would not use LT tires on a trailer. ST tires are different and have stiffer side walls and are designed to hold up under the racking or scuffing that happens in tight slow turns/maneuvers in tandem axle trailers with closely spaced axles. Also you have to be absolutely sure that your rims are matched pressure wise to the inflation requirements of what ever tire you put on the rim. A lot of rims are stamped with the max pressure inside so you have to remove the tire to see what your rim is rated at.
5. I feel that most tire failures are from either under inflation or excessive speed. At normal inflation pressures ST tires are limited to 65mph. You can add 10psi for speeds between 66 and 75 according to GY, but that is going beyond normal and most TT rims are not rated for that increased pressure. Normally 14" rims will be rated for 50psi and 15" rims rated for 65psi. I normally tow at 60mph for both tire reasons, mpg considerations, and my level of comfort. Another problem is because you are running them at close to their limits both pressure/load/speed wise a single significant pot hole hit at interstate speeds can damage a tire and cause either tread separation or side wall failure.
6. On my current trailer and it's China made GY's my axle wts are only 200 or so lbs under the max for the four tires and with around 6K on them so far no problems.
7. If you have the Tor-Flex type axles which do not use the exposed springs, but use a system of rubber inside the axle for suspension there is a minimum spacing between the tires at max load that needs to be maintained and that is around 1 to 1.5" so be careful if increase your tire size that you don't end up violating that min. distance.
8. I have never had a TT tire balanced since I don't see the need. You're not concerned about ride like in a car/truck.
9. While nice metal valve stems are really not needed on TT tires IMHO and I have never had a valve stem failure on either my trailer or any of my vehicles in the last almost 45 years.
Just MHO and some tidbits to chew on and either spit out or digest
Larry
1. While GY has a quality problem with their Marathon ST tires (15" size as I remember) a few years ago I don't think if they are made in China is a bad thing. BTW from what I understand GY is now making them in the U.S. and you can order/get them thru WM for around $100 ea.
2. I've been using GY Marathon ST tires for the last 13 years and have put close to 40K miles on like 12 or so tires with never a problem. I've also heard good things about Maxxis trailer tires. These two would be the only ones I would put on my trailer.
3. If you trailer is stowed where the sun hits the tires replacing them about ever 6 years is probably a good idea. My trailer tires are never in the sun so I will probably go 10 years unless I see them start to crack. I also douse them with 303 every couple of months.
4. I would not use LT tires on a trailer. ST tires are different and have stiffer side walls and are designed to hold up under the racking or scuffing that happens in tight slow turns/maneuvers in tandem axle trailers with closely spaced axles. Also you have to be absolutely sure that your rims are matched pressure wise to the inflation requirements of what ever tire you put on the rim. A lot of rims are stamped with the max pressure inside so you have to remove the tire to see what your rim is rated at.
5. I feel that most tire failures are from either under inflation or excessive speed. At normal inflation pressures ST tires are limited to 65mph. You can add 10psi for speeds between 66 and 75 according to GY, but that is going beyond normal and most TT rims are not rated for that increased pressure. Normally 14" rims will be rated for 50psi and 15" rims rated for 65psi. I normally tow at 60mph for both tire reasons, mpg considerations, and my level of comfort. Another problem is because you are running them at close to their limits both pressure/load/speed wise a single significant pot hole hit at interstate speeds can damage a tire and cause either tread separation or side wall failure.
6. On my current trailer and it's China made GY's my axle wts are only 200 or so lbs under the max for the four tires and with around 6K on them so far no problems.
7. If you have the Tor-Flex type axles which do not use the exposed springs, but use a system of rubber inside the axle for suspension there is a minimum spacing between the tires at max load that needs to be maintained and that is around 1 to 1.5" so be careful if increase your tire size that you don't end up violating that min. distance.
8. I have never had a TT tire balanced since I don't see the need. You're not concerned about ride like in a car/truck.
9. While nice metal valve stems are really not needed on TT tires IMHO and I have never had a valve stem failure on either my trailer or any of my vehicles in the last almost 45 years.
Just MHO and some tidbits to chew on and either spit out or digest
Larry