All Terrain trailer tires

[NateA]

Hello,

I’ve got a 2019 NoBo 19.5. I’m considering upgrading the tires as reading through this forum makes me paranoid about blowouts. 😉

The trailer is equipped with “all-terrain” tires. What are the benefits at this type of trailer tire? The recommendations seems to generally be for normal tires. Is there an exceptional AT trailer tire that you would recommend? Anything else I should consider?

Thanks in advance,

Nate

[SeaDog]

My understanding of the "All Terrain" designation on tires refers to the tread design and its ability to provide traction on all surfaces and resist tread face puncture. On a trailer I think it is more of a sales pitch like nitrogen in the tires. Maybe one of the actual tire guys will chime in soon. JMHO

[CedarCreekWoody]

I never understood the need for rugged tread on a trailer tire.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

I never understood the need for rugged tread on a trailer tire.

Maybe not a need, but for aesthetic purposes. Similar to graphics and striping.

[SeaDog]

Originally Posted by NateA

Hello,

I’ve got a 2019 NoBo 19.5. I’m considering upgrading the tires as reading through this forum makes me paranoid about blowouts. 😉

The trailer is equipped with “all-terrain” tires. What are the benefits at this type of trailer tire? The recommendations seems to generally be for normal tires. Is there an exceptional AT trailer tire that you would recommend? Anything else I should consider?

Thanks in advance,

Nate

I just realized this is your first post and I didn't welcome you to the forum so welcome to the forum its a great place to get your questions answered.

[Jeffjeeptj]

What brand AT tires do you have? Most of the “blow-out” comments are based on chinese made trailer tires. Its very likely the ATs on your trailer are LT (light truck) tires and are much much less susceptible to the china bomb syndrome.

A major cause of tire failure is low pressure, so keep the tires inflated properly.

I’ve had excellent results from multiple sets of Goodrich ATs. Multiple sets due to personal and business vehicles.

[wmtire]

I think I read that Lionshead who provides forest river with tires/wheels has an all terrain ST tire....and if I remember right it's in a 235/75/15 size too. Let me see if I can find that thread as my memory isn't too good.

Edit: here is an example of what I was remembering

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Tir...e/WST54FR.html

[ddphillips52]

Cooper AT3 is a good all terrain tire at a very reasonable price.

[Blackrock]

My original Flagstaff popup trailer had the Hercules 235/75R15 AT tires on it. It had the deck out front that I hauled my quad on. This trailer had great ground clearance for back country travel.

[Blackrock]

Since this is a trailer built for back country type travel geared toward the adventurer then the bigger tire and added ground clearance is a benefit. And since this is a single axle unit then a heavier tire is a sure benefit.
I really wouldn't worry too much about replacing them.

[WanderMore]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

I never understood the need for rugged tread on a trailer tire.

The advantage is less potential for lateral slipping when rolling through mud, snow and sand.

If you never camp anyplace other than campgrounds that are flat, paved or well maintained gravel roads then the aesthetic could be a good enough reason.

With the FR line though, the sport tire and wheel package does add about about 3-1/2” of total lift so there is the greater ground clearance.

[Comanchecreek]

I think it will depend on what you expect to do with the trailer. If you plan to "off road" it, then I would go with an LT type tire designed to take rough use with a stiffer sidewall. If you just plan to road it, then why bother with the all terrain type tires. Buy good quality, (Endurance, Salun,)etc. tires. I still am an advocate of LT tires, for the road, but we've argued that to death here. Do a search of the type of tires on Forest River Forums and you'll get a good idea of the opinions for that tire. Just plan on reading a little back and forth.

[PDuB-IA2MI]

FR usually puts West Lakes on their "off road" TTs. They are a Chinese tire made by Lions Head. They have a 1 year warranty ()

I ordered my Wolf Pup 16BHS Black Label with the Adventure package and got the lift, bigger axle, and these tires. We'll see how they do.

I'll verify what WanderMore said. The lift is pretty decent. I've attached a comparison pic of my 16BHSBL + Adventure with a "standard" BHS next door. A bigger difference than I was expecting. I have a driveway with a sharp grade change and this height helped prevent scraping as I backed in. It should also help clearing some creek crossing I'll have to do in northeastern Iowa trout country .

[NateA]

That looks like the tires I have. We probably towed in them 6-7000 miles last year and so far have had no issues. I feel like I got lucky as I definitely wasn’t checking the tire pressure as often as I should.

I’m looking into Tpms sensors and contemplating new tires.

I appreciate all the information.

[Dirt Sifter]

We had LT's on our 179 and ST's on the 195. We don't really need the traction tire on a trailer, but like the added height and perhaps off road stability. But can't say it really adds to the performance on unpaved, gravel, mud roads over other tires. What is important, and needs to be checked is the condition of the inside sidewall especially on the passenger side where drifting off the paved surface on narrow paved roads common on many more rural areas that can cause cuts, gouges in the rubber. The LT's held up real well; have not put enough miles on the ST's to give a meaningful opinion.

[mnoland30]

BF GoodrichAll Terrain Radials XO2 tires are one of the top of the line tires for tow vehicles for off road use. They have more plys in the sidewalls which prevents rocks from punching through. A stiffer sidewall also provides stability. On the down side, they reduce your gas mileage a bit. On a muddy out-sloped road, that extra tread could save you, but I try to avoid pulling a travel trailer on that kind of road. That said, the road could be fine on the way in and soaked on the way out. Recently read posts about chaining your trailer tires on ice and snow.

[Dirt Sifter]

wmtire, just took the time to look at the link in your message. Thank you for the info; spot on as usual.

[PodGeek]

Originally Posted by PDuB-IA2MI

FR usually puts West Lakes on their "off road" TTs. They are a Chinese tire made by Lions Head. They have a 1 year warranty...

Originally Posted by NateA

That looks like the tires I have. We probably towed in them 6-7000 miles last year and so far have had no issues. I feel like I got lucky as I definitely wasn’t checking the tire pressure as often as I should. ....

We have those Westlakes on our R-Pod 195 (OEM) and they have gone > 10,000 miles with no issues. Look almost new. Keep 'em around 65 PSI and don't go > 65MPH. Pod only weighs in at about 4200 lbs but it is a single-axle.

[NJKris]

I have the OEM Westlakes on my GeoPro, they came with offroad package and have been great. I disagree with the opinion the more aggressive tread is not useful. I towed over a dirt mountain road in Vermont (never would have driven it if the sign wasn't knocked down on one side of mountain!)and was fighting for traction. I do believe the more aggressive tread aided in side slip of the trailer.

[PodGeek]

Originally Posted by NJKris

I have the OEM Westlakes on my GeoPro, they came with offroad package and have been great. I disagree with the opinion the more aggressive tread is not useful. I towed over a dirt mountain road in Vermont (never would have driven it if the sign wasn't knocked down on one side of mountain!)and was fighting for traction. I do believe the more aggressive tread aided in side slip of the trailer.

Plus they are much cooler looking than other OEM tires that I've seen.