Best Trailer Tires
Compare five manufacturer-documented ST tire lines, then choose the right size, load capacity and cold-pressure specification for your actual trailer.
Compare Current OptionsA trailer tire can look correct, fit the rim and still be wrong for the load. The buying decision is a chain: actual loaded weight, tire capacity at the specified pressure, wheel pressure rating, physical clearance and speed rating.
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01 Quick picks by replacement need
These are tire lines, not interchangeable single SKUs. Select the exact size, load range and service description after confirming the trailer and wheel requirements.
Redesigned polyester carcass, steel-belt reinforcement and a protective sidewall design make it a sensible premium short-list for frequent highway towing.
Maxxis publishes a detailed size-by-size cold-pressure load table, useful when a tire professional is checking axle loads and replacement sizes.
The Plus line provides a separate, current Maxxis trailer-tire family with published service descriptions, load ranges and size-specific data.
A conventional ST radial line with broad 13–16-inch applications and published size/load-range variants, worth comparing with the trailer’s original tire.
Hankook publishes 13–16-inch trailer tire dimensions and emphasizes reinforced construction and even-load distribution.
02 Compare the buying differences
Construction descriptions come from the tire manufacturers; none of these lines is automatically appropriate for every trailer.
| Tire line | Published focus | Where to start | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goodyear Endurance | Reinforced casing, liner and sidewall protection | Frequent highway travel-trailer replacement | Exact SKU, size, load and speed description |
| Maxxis M8008 ST Radial | Detailed manufacturer load/inflation table | Sizing and pressure research | Correct part number and applicable chart |
| Maxxis M8008 Plus | Updated separate ST radial product family | Alternative M8008-series availability | Plus-specific service description |
| Carlisle Radial Trail HD | Broad common ST-size replacement range | Utility and conventional trailer sizes | Specific load range and wheel fit |
| Hankook Vantra Trailer ST01 | Reinforced trailer-focused construction | Comparing 13–16-inch trailer options | Rim width and overall diameter |
03 Five tire lines worth comparing
These recommendations prioritize manufacturer documentation and identifiable use cases—not invented road-test scores or unverified retail prices.
Goodyear Endurance
Redesigned polyester carcass, steel-belt reinforcement and a protective sidewall design make it a sensible premium short-list for frequent highway towing.
What stands out: Goodyear describes an enhanced inner liner and decoupling groove; these are design features, not proof of a guaranteed service life.
Who it suits: Travel-trailer owners who can obtain the exact OEM-compatible size and load specification.
Ownership tradeoff: Do not confuse Goodyear Endurance trailer tires with passenger or truck tires carrying similar branding.
Check PriceMaxxis M8008 ST Radial
Maxxis publishes a detailed size-by-size cold-pressure load table, useful when a tire professional is checking axle loads and replacement sizes.
What stands out: For example, the manufacturer lists ST225/75R15 variants at different load ranges and maximum pressures; the tire size alone is insufficient.
Who it suits: Owners who want documented fitment data before ordering a replacement set.
Ownership tradeoff: Compare the manufacturer load chart with the trailer placard and wheel pressure rating; do not choose pressure from size alone.
Check PriceMaxxis M8008 Plus ST Radial
The Plus line provides a separate, current Maxxis trailer-tire family with published service descriptions, load ranges and size-specific data.
What stands out: Maxxis lists different service descriptions by size and variant, so verify the exact tire being sold.
Who it suits: Shoppers comparing current M8008-family listings where availability differs.
Ownership tradeoff: Check the sidewall and seller SKU against the Plus-specific chart; avoid generic listing photos.
Check PriceCarlisle Radial Trail HD
A conventional ST radial line with broad 13–16-inch applications and published size/load-range variants, worth comparing with the trailer’s original tire.
What stands out: The Carlisle catalog and retailer product specifications show multiple sizes and load ranges, not one universal capacity.
Who it suits: Utility, cargo and travel-trailer owners replacing worn tires in common ST sizes.
Ownership tradeoff: Ask for the actual tire date code and full sidewall designation rather than trusting a generic product image.
Check PriceHankook Vantra Trailer ST01
Hankook publishes 13–16-inch trailer tire dimensions and emphasizes reinforced construction and even-load distribution.
What stands out: The official specifications include ST235/85R16 and ST255/85R16 options, but suitability still depends on wheel and suspension clearance.
Who it suits: Owners investigating a manufacturer-documented 16-inch trailer replacement.
Ownership tradeoff: Measure real clearance and verify wheels, axle loading and brakes before changing tire diameter.
Check Price04 Six checks before ordering
A tire change affects load capacity, wheel compatibility and handling. Verify each item before selecting a listing.
- Read the trailer certification/tire placard. Record the specified ST size, load range, tire count, axle GAWR and cold inflation instructions; do not substitute tow-vehicle door-label values.
- Weigh the trailer as actually loaded. Check axle loads and, where possible, individual wheel positions; uneven side-to-side loading can overload one tire despite an acceptable total.
- Match tire capacity to the real application. Verify the tire’s load rating at the intended cold pressure, including the manufacturer’s load/inflation chart where applicable; do not assume a higher load-range letter fixes an incompatible wheel.
- Check wheel limits and physical clearance. Confirm wheel diameter/width, valve-stem pressure rating, bolt pattern if replacing assemblies, fender/suspension clearance and axle requirements.
- Check speed service description and date code. The rating on the exact tire controls; a brand-level speed claim is not enough. Inspect the DOT date and storage condition.
- Replace and maintain as a system. Use compatible tires across the axle as required by the trailer/tire manufacturer, inspect the spare, and have mounting/balancing handled by a qualified tire shop.
05 Calculate the right load margin
Use actual loaded axle weight as the starting point—not gross trailer weight divided by four. For a tandem-axle trailer with four tires, a simple average is axle-supported weight ÷ 4, but real wheel loads can be uneven. A scale measurement at individual wheel positions is more informative than an average.
Common trap: Trailer GVWR, axle GAWR, tire capacity and tow-vehicle ratings are separate limits. The smallest applicable limit governs. A heavier-duty tire never upgrades an axle or a wheel.
06 Frequently asked questions
Are ST trailer tires interchangeable with passenger-car tires?
Not automatically. ST tires are designed and rated for trailer service. Changing tire type requires approval from the trailer manufacturer or a qualified tire professional, including load-rating and inflation adjustments.
Is load range E always better than load range D?
No. The correct tire must match the required load at an appropriate pressure and be compatible with the wheel, valve stem and trailer. A higher letter alone does not increase axle, wheel or trailer ratings.
Should trailer tires be inflated to the sidewall maximum?
Follow the trailer manufacturer’s placard and the tire manufacturer’s application guidance or load/inflation table. Never exceed the tire or wheel maximum. Check pressures cold, including the spare.
Can I replace ST205/75R15 with ST225/75R15?
Not without confirming manufacturer approval and the larger tire’s rim-width requirement, overall diameter, load specification, axle clearance and dual-tire spacing if applicable.
How old is too old for a trailer tire?
Age depends on manufacturer guidance, condition, storage and use. NHTSA notes that some manufacturers recommend replacement at six to ten years regardless of tread; check the four-digit DOT date code and inspect for damage.
Do I need a higher speed-rated trailer tire?
The tire’s exact service description must support your intended use. Never exceed posted limits or the lowest rated component; speed rating does not override inflation, load or trailer stability requirements.
07 Choose the fit before the brand
Shortlist Goodyear, Maxxis, Carlisle or Hankook only after the tire size, wheel rating, cold inflation, loaded wheel demand and speed service description all check out. For an uncertain substitution, have a trailer-tire specialist confirm the complete fitment before buying.