Hi. We need to replace the 6 yr old tires on our 1980 16-ft Scamp. Does anyone have a recommendation for a high quality tire? I've looked at some fairly inexpensive ones on Amazon, etc for about $50 each (8 ply). Maybe they are okay, but being a novice about camper/trailer tires, I don't want to buy some low end tires that wear out or blow out quickly. Thanks.
Fri, 02/03/2023 - 11:51
#1
Tire recommendations please
My tire dude likes maxis. He says they are good tires. You can get them off tire rack. That is what I am going with but would like to know of other good brands also.
Brands are not a big issue, your trailer tires will be (should be) replaced for old age before wearing out. This is why rotation is not a concern as it is on a car. Age brings about tire rot, cracking, etc. The cost varies more because of the ratings. AND many myths are out there about bad Chinese tires that are flat out untrue. Most folks bad experiences are from their own lack of knowledge about trailer tires. If you overload them, they will fail. If you overspeed them, they will fail. If you overheat them, they will fail. Overheating usually comes from some combination of the first two. Failures also come from old tires blowing out too. 5 years is a good rule of thumb but can vary depending on how well kept the tires are. I recommend D rated tires for your 16 ft Scamp, as does Scamp. They take the speed rating from the low 50s (in MPH) to 81 which gives you some pad. I pay more attention to that than to the weight load. A 50s MPH speed is already too low if you are on the interstate highways. The weight rating is per tire so double it for your single axel trailer. Most folks talking about C ratings, are more for the extremely light weight 13 foot Scamps. That works but still has the lower 50 MPH speed restriction. Lastly, Scamp does not recommend oversize tires on the 16s. I find price differences between brands usually can be attributed the difference in these ratings. I have 40 years of towing and have never had a tire failure or blow out... P.S. ...a bit more about weight. On a single axel trailer, each tire carries half the total weight, that's why you double the tire weight rating to calculate if it's enough. You need to also account for what you load the trailer with... Water in any tank? Camping gear, appliances, groceries, bikes, etc. For example if the trailer dry weight from the manufacturer is 2,000 lbs and you want to carry 1000 lbs in stuff; then you divide 3000 lbs in half for a tire need of 1500 lbs each (or more)... a 1000 lb tire would be overloaded once anything was put in the trailer in this example and that's where most go wrong. Did you know, water weights about 9 pounds per gallon? Anything, in any tank, adds up quickly...Generators and gasoline are the same...
Carl
Good points. Also, I am looking into d range because I drive on a lot of gravel roads.
Thank you!
Carl
I have 185/80-13 tires. For details see this post: https://scampowners.com/comment/15013#comment-15013
Knneely, when you see posts or replies- if the writer doesn't say what size Scamp they have, click on the user name in the post. Most users have their Scamp size in their profile. Scamp does not recommend any tire size increase for the 16, due to clearances, design, handling, etc. Diameter oversize is a definite NO NO... Some folks say they have successful one size only increases in width but no wider... this is for the 16 only and it depends on year models too. I believe the 13 is more forgiving than the 16, for tire variations.
Carl
Tire rack has a 175/80 R13 D range with a speed rating of n=87mph tire by Powder King. They have them priced at $74.21 a tire.
Carl did a great job describing tires. I second that you should get D load tires because they can handle heavier loads and are built for higher speeds. I bought a used 16-ft Deluxe Scamp that had new C load tires and they blew out prematurely. The D load tires that I have now handle much better and wear better. Also, you should get radial tires because they ride smoother, handle higher speeds. run cooler, and wear better than bias ply. As Carl says, trailer tires deteriorate with age not just mileage. You should buy fairly fresh tires not something that has been sitting at the dealer for a long time. Check the codes on the sidewalls I bought tires from Amazon twice and the tires were very fresh (less than 2 months old). I bought tire covers to protect the trailer tires from sun light while the Scamp sits around.
Thank you Sunfish too... this is a wonderful topic and very valuable to everyone that tows anything...
Carl
Years ago I bought a new aluminum trailer. It had Loadstar brand tires. The trailer had a vibration. I jacked up the trailer and put a board under each tire and a trouble light behind each tire. Lowered the trailer until there was a slight gap and spun the wheel. The tires were way out of round. Loadstar would only replace one of them . They lost me for a future sale. I have had great results with Carlyle brand. Good luck!
Doug
Pages