Upgrading your Travel Trailer Tires is a smart move for safety and peace of mind on the road. Many travel trailer owners consider replacing their original equipment tires, often ST (Special Trailer) tires, with something more robust. If you’re wondering about the best travel trailer tires, especially when considering a size upgrade from R14 to R15, you’re in the right place. Switching to a 15-inch wheel opens up the possibility of using Light Truck (LT) tires, which offer significant advantages for travel trailers.
One key benefit of LT tires is their construction. Typically, LT tires are built to handle heavier loads and tougher conditions than ST tires. For travel trailers, this translates to increased durability and a longer lifespan. Many experienced trailer owners report getting 45,000 to 50,000 miles or even 7 to 9 years of service from LT tires when used on their trailers, especially those who travel frequently.
Several LT tire options are well-regarded for travel trailer use. For instance, the LT235/75-15 C, offered by various US tire manufacturers, provides a load capacity of around 1980 lbs per tire. Another popular choice is the Goodyear Wrangler HT in LT215/85-15 D, boasting a 2090 lbs load capacity. These LT tires often provide a more comfortable and stable towing experience compared to standard ST tires.
While LT tires are a great upgrade, newer generations of ST tires have also emerged as reliable options. Particularly, Provider ST tires from Taskmaster have gained recognition in various trailering communities, not just RV forums. These higher-speed rated ST tires have been available for over a decade and are even used as original equipment on some larger, premium 5th wheel trailers, indicating their improved quality and durability.
For travel trailer owners specifically looking at ST tires, the Carlisle HD and Goodyear Endurance are frequently recommended on RV websites and forums. Introduced around 2017, these tires have shown promising performance, with owners expecting around 25,000 to 28,000 miles over 4-5 years. Importantly, these newer ST tire models seem to have addressed many of the common issues associated with older ST tire designs.
Recommendations for travel trailer tires often come from a wide range of sources, including both RV-specific and general trailer forums. This broad perspective helps identify tires that perform well across different types of trailers and usage scenarios, ensuring you get reliable and safe tires for your travel trailer adventures.
