Re: RC: Radials or Bias Ply?

[Gary Fend <garyfend@pacbell.net>]

This is a case of some one giving the correct information without explaining
why it is correct.  When cars first started using radial tires they had
exceedingly  weak sidewalls.  Like off-road vehicles, trailers need tires
with stiff sidewalls.  This is for many reasons but the main reason is cuz
they are not as well sprung as cars and trucks and the tire has to absorb
most of the shock.  The tires need to be able to withstand more abuse.
Years ago, stiff sidewalls were  only available with bias belted tires but
now radials can be had with the same properties.

The tire to get for your trailer, should have a DOT designation starting
with "ST" (ST20575D15 for example).  The ST stand for "special trailer" and
has the stiff sidewall needed for trailer applications to keep sway to a
minimum and  be capable of withstanding abuse.  They cost a few bucks more
but are worth it.

I personally would not tow a trailer with mis-matched tires.  There is too
much at stake!

G

Bob & Amber Roberts wrote:

> The last three times a friend of ours has attended an endurance ride in
> our area, she has had a flat tire on her trailer.  This last time, we
> were there and got to see it.  She has radial tires on the trailer!  We
> were always told that you should have bias ply tires on a horse
> trailer.  She talked to her tire man and he told her that bias plies are
> being phased out.  Which is it?  Radial or bias ply?  She asked me to
> ask on RideCamp for her.
>
> Amber
>
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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=