Trailer tires

[ColoradoKid]

Ok I admit it, I sometimes pack a little more then I need to when I'm towing a trailer. The problem is what is a good tire to use and will stand up to loaded touring? (the cheap tires wearout way to fast for my taste)

[John Nelson]

Well, there are probably lots of tires that will do, but the benchmark is any of the Schwalbe Marathon line (except the Marathon itself).

[Wayne00001]

Maxxis Hookworm for a trailer.  Almost bullet proof.  Rough ride.  But on a trailer who cares.

[driftlessregion]

I have over 3000 miles on my Kenda Kwest with no noticable wear, more than twice what the original tire lasted.

[mucknort]

Good high pressure tires on a trailer make a huge difference in rolling resistance (you notice pulling a trailer far less). On a recent cross country tour we had Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires on 3 bikes and Schwalbe Marathon tires on 3 trailers. For the whole trip, the bikes had 0 flats and the trailers had 7. I highly recommend Marathon Plus.

[staehpj1]

Good high pressure tires on a trailer make a huge difference in rolling resistance (you notice pulling a trailer far less). On a recent cross country tour we had Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires on 3 bikes and Schwalbe Marathon tires on 3 trailers. For the whole trip, the bikes had 0 flats and the trailers had 7. I highly recommend Marathon Plus.

Everyone's flat tolerance and concern regarding weight and lively ride are different.  So choice can and should vary, but...  Personally, Id rather deal with a flat once in a while that use a tire that weighs double what other suitable choices weigh.  Seven flats between three trailers over what? 4000 miles?  So something like a flat every 1700 miles ridden?  Given that I rather run the lighter tire.

That said if you are willing to run the pluses on your bike then it certainly makes sense to on the trailer too.  Me I hated the ride and took them off my bike after a few hundred miles.  Not sure that I would notice the ride difference with a plus on the trailer though.