Radial VS Bias Ply tires?

[champ8]

I'm in the market for new tires and have seen a lot of discussion concerning brands, but not anything on Radial vs. Bias Ply. I know the general benefits of Radials, smoother ride, better gas mileage and longer wear; however, from what I've been told I can get a greater load on a Bias Ply tire. For my tire size 185/80 13 all of the radials I have looked at (marathons, carlisle, power king) are 6 ply and rated for 1480 pounds, while I can get a Bias ply (Hi run) that is an 8 ply tire with a load rating of 1760 pounds. The Bias ply tire is also less expensive, but I have heard plenty of horror stories about the Hi-run tires. Went to a tire store today and he was pushing the Hi-run over the radials. Said they have a lot more problems with the radials and they are more prone to over heating and coming apart (although I saw an article that said bias ply tires are more prone to over heating). I'm guessing my boat, motor, trailer when loaded weighs anywhere from 2100 to 2500 pounds. I bought the boat used and it currently has radial tires. I've put about 4,000 miles on them over the last couple of years the tread still looks good, but they look like they are under inflated even though they have the recommended amount of tire pressure. Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts?

[REW]

Champ
I see NO reason to run bias ply tires, if radial ply tires can be purchased.

REW

[Hot Runr Guy]

Before you invest in tires, get your rig to a truck stop or scale and get the trailer axle weighed. Then you'll be able to determine what your needs really are.

FYI, if you go down in size a step (to 175) there actually is a D load range radial made, rated 1610# at 65psi http://www.etrailer.com/Tires-and-Wh...a/AM10210.html

HRG

[perchjerker]

before there were radial trailer tires, Bias ply was all that was used.

I had them for years with no problems

Look at a Uhaul trailer tire

they are Bias Ply. (on the trailers I have rented anyway)

those tires take a lot of abuse.

I am not pushing bias ply, but I see nothing wrong with them

[Hot Runr Guy]

Originally Posted by perchjerker

Look at a Uhaul trailer tire

they are Bias Ply. (on the trailers I have rented anyway)

those tires take a lot of abuse.

Those are Goodyear U-Haul spec HMG 2020's, load range D 14", rated at something like 2020#.

I've been renting one of their tandem-axle 6x12's, those thing are solid.

HRG

[grizzley]

can't help too much on trailer tires.
BUT; just put 4 brand new bias tires on my "66" chevy.
I've had this car from new, and for 46 yrs. there has never been a set of radials on it.
I'ts a 425 HP 427, and I'm still alive, so I guess they work.
Only trouble is that the rear tires just don't seem to last too long!

As stated in a previous post, bias tires were run on trailers far longer than radials have even been available. I see nothing wrong with them.

[Shellback]

I've never had a bias ply tire blow apart on a trailer, but I've had like new radials come apart. That said, I recently went with China made Goodyear Marathons. Got about 1500 miles on them so far.

[champ8]

Thanks for all of the advice. I did weigh the trailer tonight and it came in at 2520 pounds. I read somewhere that your tire load should be rated for at least 70% of the total trailer weight , so in my case 1750 per tire, which would indicate the bias ply tires, but I'm still thinking that if my Carlisle have gone 600 plus miles in a day at 70 mph several times without any problems (Knock on wood) a new set of the same size should work just fine.

[TrevorW]

I was in the same situation as you, bias ply or radial? Most of my trips are within a couple of hours, and often at speeds of 70 mph. I have never had any problems with bias ply tires on any trailer I've had or pulled. I always check the tire pressure in them before I hit the road and keep a spare with me on the trailer.

I purchased my current boat in Minnesota (**** near ND) and drove it home 750 miles on some of the worst tires I have ever seen and still had no problems. These tires had been ran with low pressure and had some of the worst wear I had ever seen not to mention despite being properly load rated they were 2 ply tires! I replaced both tires and rims as soon as I got it home, I went with LoadStars bias ply tires on galvanized wheels. I bought them off a seller on Ebay for $175 shipped for the pair.

[northernbite]

Originally Posted by Shellback

I've never had a bias ply tire blow apart on a trailer, but I've had like new radials come apart. That said, I recently went with China made Goodyear Marathons. Got about 1500 miles on them so far.

Shellback;
It's these wonderful roads here in Pa. I don't know about out your way but they are alot of up grades that would help.

Paul