Are 10-Ply Tires Enough for a 31ft Grey Wolf on a 3,500+ Mile Western Trip?

[Aggies in Texas]

I have a 31ft Grey Wolf with relatively new 10-plys. However, I have not pulled them more than 1500 miles on a single trip. Will be making a 3500+ mile trip in July from Texas to CO, WY, MT, UT, AZ, NM and back to TX. Are my 10 ply tires sufficient or should I go higher?

 

[Aussieguy]

Use them until you can see canvas on the treads .... not quite that far but I'm betting that you could simply keep an eye on their wear patterns and find a local shop to supply and install new ones during the trip


Ply is mostly considered how stiff the tire walls will be... the have to hold up a lot of weight
Keep an eye on the pressure and look for road damage

And don't neglect the spare

 

[NCWanderers]

FWIW Not quite the same thing, but I'm going to move up from my 10 ply tires to either 12 or 14 ply.... Strictly a higher level of safety in my opinion.

 

[Believer45]

If your tires are good for a 100 mile tow they should be good for a 10,000 mile tow. Tire failure can happen a mile from your driveway with the same disastrous results as being on the Al-Can highway on the way to Alaska. The only real difference is a mile from your driveway you probably know who to call for help.

You don't say what model Grey Wolf you have or what the trailer GVWR is, also you don't say what size and speed/weight rating tires your trailer has. Both bits of information are important to offer an informed opinion. Can you provide?

Dave / Believer45

 

[Aggies in Texas]

I have the Greywolf 26DBH, 31ft, 7725 GVWR, bumper pull. The tires say Load Range E 10PR, max. load range single 2400lbs, max load range dual 2090lbs, they are 205/75R 15's. The only other lettering I can find is "FH050" on the sidewall.

 

[Believer45]

With 7725 GVWR and taking into consideration 12% tongue weight your weight on both axles combined should max out somewhere around 6800 lbs. Your tires are rated for 9600 lbs on the axles so it seems to me you have plenty of tire for your load. The only consideration is the tire quality. Is your brand Freedom Hauler? The FH050 seems like it might be a Freedom Hauler designation but I cannot find that as a model number on their web site.

 

[Aggies in Texas]

It's not available for me to check but I do remember seeing "Hauler" on the tire.

 

[Believer45]

May I ask what year is your trailer?

 

[Aggies in Texas]

2021

 

[Aggies in Texas]

I added the 10-ply tires in Sept 2022...used it in 2023 and 2024. Took one 1500 mile trip and several local short trips. Probably don't have 2500 miles on the tires.

 

[Believer45]

I was typing while you were typing your last post. If you replaced your tires in Sept 2022 they were probably manufactured early to mid 2022 (may be older, depending on how long the tires sat in a warehouse before being installed). My concern would be brand of tire. I am a believer in no compromise on tires, not everyone has that mindset.

 

[Aggies in Texas]

Thanks everyone for you thoughts.

 

[Believer45]

You are very welcome. I have found this site to be a great resource. Enjoy your longer trip and, if you would, report back on how it went. It is great to hear other folks experiences.

 

[Aggies in Texas]

I certainly will! We leave Texas July 16 and will return August 2. I may try to report in on the road! (and I may need some advice)

 

[Believer45]

Look forward to the report. I hope things go great!