trailer bouncing

goatboy0067 · July 3, 2013

i have a 16' wells cargo enclosed trailer it is loaded about half way (3000lbs or more) with tools. i notice while pulling it the tire side walls flex alot. now the tires could be 0ver 10 years old, they are 205/75/15 LRC. I need new tires so will using a higher load range help this stiffer sidewall or are the tires in there now just breaking down and have little life left and replacements be much better. the tires on there now a re goodyear marathons i have heard nightmares about them and will be getting maxxis if possible. any input would be helpfull.

NEFisher11 · July 3, 2013

I would definalty jump up a weight class if you could, and also make sure the tires are properly inflated.

I would also look a Kenda Trailer tires. They make some nice ones and also make Radial trailer tirs which are nice.

goatboy0067 · July 3, 2013

tires are checked every month they still holding good some dry rot between the treads.

music · July 4, 2013

Is the trailer bouncing, or the "truck and trailer"? As for brand, I put Maxxis on our camper, and don't regret it a bit. I run bias ply on my utility trailer, for the extra stiffness, but it sits empty, so no flat spots like bias tires tend to do.

CKNSLS · July 4, 2013

Bouncing may not be the entire fault of the tires. Are you running a weight distributing hitch? How much weight is on the rear axle of your truck?

goatboy0067 · July 4, 2013

no weight distribution hitch about 30 percent of weight on the truck. no the truck dosent bounce at all just the trailer

tyhuck · July 4, 2013

You shouldnt be having any trouble with that much weight in that trailer, unless your tires are on the way out, or you have a suspension problem. I assume the trailer is a tandem axel since its a 16', and they are probably at least 3500lb rating each, which is WAY more than what you are putting in it. If the trailer is bouncing, its not really gonna cause a problem unless its fish-tailing, or bouncing to the point that it is moving the truck. You could replace the tires if you want, but if its not moving the truck or causing sway, and they arent blowing out you probably dont have anything to worry about.

If you do replace them, just make sure you replace them with actual trailer tires. Trailer tires have a stiffer sidewall than car tires.

Zembonez · July 4, 2013

A good trailer tire (bias bly) will do the trick.

CKNSLS · July 4, 2013

I agree with the above posters. You need ST TIRES. Bias ply tires run hotter than radials. If you buy Radials you need tires with a nylon cap over lay. These brands include-Carlisle, Maxxis, Towmax, Westlake, and others. Just ask before making a decision.

I had Carlisle Radial Trail ST tires put on in Florida. Ran them clear across the country back home to Utah and they were fine on my 29 foot 5,500 pound travel trailer.

goatboy0067 · July 4, 2013

yes it is a tandem axle trailer with 3500lb axles i have goodyear marathon tires on there now but they are on their last leg (dryrot between the treads ) the reaseon th want to minimize the bouncing is thing are shifting in the trailer when i drive down the street. i live in wisconsin and the roads are terrible here that is part of the problem i try to keep the weight over the tires. so would a stiffer side wall help or just make the trailer jump. also the tires on the trailer now i have never replaced and i wouldnt be suprised if they ever have been. does the ruber compound start to breakdown after so many years? do they have an experation date ? im guessing the dryrot makes them weaker. so what would happen if i went up to a load range d tire from a c? would it help with the bouncing but would i encounter some other problem with a stiffer side wall?

tyhuck · July 4, 2013

I dont think a stiffer tire will help if the road is the reason the trailer is bouncing. If anything, the softer tire is actually going to be absorbing some of the road bounce, where a stiffer tire will make it bounce more. The best thing I can tell you is just to fasten all your gear down as best you can.

TimmyG · July 4, 2013

I would also give the leafs a good once over

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

goatboy0067 · July 4, 2013

is there anything i can do to help maybe in how the trailer is loaded. i was thinking the stiffer tire would transfer more of the road absorbtion to the spring and not the tire you know how tires get when they get to bouncing.