Expedition Trailer Tire Selection

[Phoenix]

Just bought my trailer, military surplus. I carry a spare for the trailer and a spare for the Jeep. Why? The spare for the trailer was cheaper than buying a new axle and matching wheels and tires. When its time to put new sneakers on the Jeep, I'll think about matching.

This is a marathon, not a sprint. Best case is to barter for something you need, second best is to spend dollars wisely.

 

[cwadej]

I totally agree with this. I run 31x10.5x15 LT All Terrain (BFG) on my trailer, and it tows like a dream. I estimate it weighs (loaded) 1200#, it has shocks to control the damping and I usually find that running the tires around 20 PSI is a happy place on road. If I were to tow it for very long distances on road I might go up to 25-30 PSI. Offroad, probably more int he neighborhood of 15-18.

Oh and my tires are C Load Rated, so the sidewall can flex more that a D or E load rated tire. I am ok with this...has not been an issue at all so far, and they match my tow vehicle so I can be rolling with 2 spares if needed.

this is exactly my situation. word for word. towed probably 1000 miles, zero issues.

 

[Badlands]

I went with the BFG mud terrains in a 31x10.50R15, I found the weight carrying capacity was more than the same tire in a 32 or 35 inch size. I am happy with them thus far.

 

[fireball]

Bumping this thread as I am looking to get new tires and wheels for my off road trailer.

The trailer weights about 550-650# and the camper weighs #1200+. With all our gear and fully loaded let's assume we are right around the #2,500 mark.

Do I need to go with E-rated tires? I am looking at the BFG Ko2 in 265/70/17. They come in C and E rated options. The C-rated weigh 8# less and are a few bucks cheaper.

One of my main reasons for doing this is to reduce the overall weight of the camper/trailer combo and to lower the trailer about an inch so it sits more level. The current tires are BFG KO 285/65/18. FWIW, this setup sees pretty light off road use, mainly the state forest gravel roads.

Thanks!

 

[RagnarD]

I would just get the E-rated. You tend to get more rubber for the money. Ride might be better with the C-rated but you can can air down the E-rated and they will hold up to to hazards better.

 

[jaumeAV]

Hi everyone. I'm bumping up this thread to ask about new tires for a trailer my family and I just bought.

I've been trying to get the family and kiddos to come out overlanding with me more and more with our JLUR and it's been slowly happening, but there were some requirements attached to do this right for them. Ultimately what it meant was a hardshell trailer where we could go out anywhere regardless of weather and have a warm place to sleep. We looked at a lot of trailers that were light enough that our JLUR could tow and ended up liking the Taxa Cricket. They are WAY too expensive to buy new (and even used) right now, but we were lucky and found one from 2016, practically new and only used twice. It was priced to sell and we were even able to knock down a couple grand more. Still can't believe it.

Overtime, while I learn about trailers, I will be working on it and slowly turning it into something closer to the Overland version. Lift, bigger tires, axle-less, skid plates on the water tank, etc.


This weekend I'll be starting with a small lift so I can get just about 2.5 inches more in there and will soon be getting new tires. I'm thinking (although I need to measure) that I might be able to fit 30 or 31s in there once the lift is done.

I'm wondering what you would suggest that would be a good mix between off and on road. Maybe not super expensive that will hold well once the trailer is loaded.

I've seen KO2s and Toyos ranging from $160-190 but maybe there are better options for load and thinner profile that fits the cricket better?

Any suggestions? thx!

(I wish I could fit my barely used 33inch KO2s that I had on the Rubi before upgrading... lol)

 

[Gravelette]

Goodyear Endurance is currently the best trailer tire. MUSA and you can get them in D or E rating. Speed rated over 80mph.https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/goodyear-endurance Carlisle Radial Trail HD is another good choice but not MUSA, if that matters. The trailer is along for the ride so you don't need knobby tires.

 

[jaumeAV]

thx Gravelette! I'll look into these.