Alternatives to Titan trailer tires

[Mickey]

After reading so many bad posts on Titan tires, I wanted to replace them with Goodyear Marathons, but, I have been told by a number of Goodyear tire centers that the tires on my Shorelander trailer(ST 155 80R13) have no Marathon equivalent. The closest they could get was a 175 13" tire which would rub on the trailer fenders. Are there other quality tires I could look at, or, do I hope that nothing happens to me? Thanks in advance!!! Mickey from Madison WI

[pete]

Before you do anything else make sure to check for yourself that the 175 don't fit. I work in the trailer buissnes and we often upgrade tire size with no problems.

[Chuck Pederson MN]

You can always tell when they just want to get rid of what they have in stock --go buy them on line Cabelas.com st175 80r 13 for $70.99. Those are my next ones as well in a 14 my titans are worthless 2 seasons at the most.

[Reader]

Chuck, I think you may have miss-read the post. Goodyear wasn't trying to sell him a tire. They had the 175's they could have sold him and advised against it, because it would rub on his fenders. From experience of trying to replace the 155's on a Shorelander trailer, I found the same thing. The 175s will rub on the fenders. Ended up putting risers in to get the trailer higher from the axle. Now the 175s fit without rubbing, but there is not as much protection from the fender and it looks dumb. But, it does the job.
I agree the Titans sucked!

[Mickey]

What is involved in trying to explain adding risers to your trailer? From the people I talked to from Goodyear, nobody mentioned this as an alternative, so, if I can explain how to do this to one of the "service centers"(or somebody that works on trailers in the Madison area) I may be able to get the Marathons after all!!! Please be as specific as possible so if this is an option I can try to have this done to my trailer.(Get out the big crayon when you draw this picture) Thanks again for all your help!!! Mickey

[Reader]

I had my buddy with a welding shop do it.
The whole spring assembly, axle, etc. has a piece of iron between it and the frame, which gave more clearance between tire and fender, because the axle is now farther from the frame. I think he used longer U-bolts too? I can't remember what it looked like originally. Kinda has the "monster truck" look now.

[Fritz]

Mickey,

Have you given Weber Tires a call? They are listed in the Madison phone book,and they have given me good advice on tires over the years, plus the cheapest price.

Fritz

[Bob G2]

Perhaps put on larger fenders?????