Before our last camping trip, I did my usual pre-trip check on our trailer. I noticed that our tires were almost 5 years old! As I wrote back in 2020 in my article (When Should You Replace Your Trailer Tires?), I like to replace trailer tires every 3-4 years, depending on how much we drive and how worn out they are. Since we live and travel in the desert Southwest, often on two-lane roads dozens of miles from any town and lacking cell phone coverage, we need to be extra careful with our tires.
The tires had about 12,000 miles on them and only 5/32 of an inch of tread left. That’s way less than the new tread depth on these Goodyear Endurance trailer tires, which is 8/32 of an inch. Most states have a law that says tires need to be replaced when the tread depth is 2/32 of an inch. So, for this tire, it has 6/32 of an inch usable tire tread, which means it was about 50% worn out.
We replaced the tires before leaving on the trip.
I was inclined not to replace them before this trip, but Joyce recommended replacement.
The only other maintenance needed was lubricating the ProPride trailer hitch, filling the propane tanks, and refilling the fresh water tanks. It had barely been a month since our last camping trip.
A Short History of My Trailer Tires
I’ve driven over a million miles in my lifetime, but that’s way less when I’m towing a trailer. Over the past 23 years, I’ve kept a close eye on the mileage of our tow vehicles. We’ve driven a total of 293K miles, and 56K of those were towing a trailer. That’s about 19% of our total miles driven. And guess what? I’ve only had one truck tire blowout in all my years of driving. But when I’m towing, I’ve had six trailer tires blow out. And I don’t buy cheap tires. I always check and make sure the tire pressure of our trailer tires is just right before every trip.
Trailer Tires are Different!
When it comes to cars and trucks, most vehicle manufacturers suggest replacing tires every six years, no matter how much tread is left. Most tire manufacturers recommend 6-10 years, but they don’t offer warranties beyond 6 years. These are for vehicles (cars and trucks) we use daily, so it’s important to keep them in good condition. But travel trailer tires are a whole different ball game.
The main issue most folks encounter with RV trailer tires is that they spend most of their time sitting in storage. Tires naturally wear out over time, and they wear out even faster when they’re stored frequently. In my opinion, based on my extensive experience in the tire industry, trailer tires should be replaced every 3 to 5 years, no matter how deep the tread is. Imagine the horror of having a trailer tire blowout at high speeds on the highway — I’ve been there, and it’s not a pleasant experience. And let’s not forget that these incidents often led to other damage to my trailers, mostly things that hang below the trailer floor, such as gray and black water drains.
Goodyear Endurance Trailer Tires – In-Depth Review
I am on my second set of Goodyear Endurance trailer tires. The first set went 12,000 miles without a single problem and were replaced at almost 5 years of use. The biggest difference I have noticed with these tires versus all the others I have owned over the decades is that they lose very little air when the trailer sits for a few months.
In my humble opinion, this is the best trailer tire out there. I’ve done some research, and it’s the ONLY trailer tire made right here in the U.S.A.
Some key features (mostly taken from Goodyear’s marketing materials)
Durability: The tire is built with a “durawall technology” that helps resist cuts and punctures, especially useful for trailers navigating gravel roads, construction sites, or long highway stretches.
High-Speed Rating: It boasts an N speed rating (up to 87 mph) — higher than many competing trailer tires — making it ideal for highway travel.
Load Range Options: Available in multiple load ranges, including D and E, it supports heavy towing needs such as RVs, car haulers, and toy haulers.
Stability and Handling: Radial construction and optimized tread design offer enhanced lateral stability, reducing trailer sway and improving control, especially at higher speeds or in crosswinds.
UV Stabilized Sidewalls: Designed to reduce weather cracking and aging — crucial for trailers that may sit idle for long periods in the sun.
Pros
Made in the USA: A big plus for buyers who value domestic production standards and quality control.
Long Tread Life: Owners report excellent longevity, with many logging 20,000–30,000 miles before considering a replacement.
Heat Resistance: Performs well under heat stress, important for long summer road trips or desert environments.
Excellent Customer Feedback: I am not necessarily a big fan of online reviews, but on every site I visited the customer ratings have been very high.
Cons
Premium Price: Costs more than budget trailer tires, though the long-term value and reliability often justify the investment.
Occasional Availability Issues: Popular sizes can be hard to find during peak seasons. However, my local tire dealer had them in stock.