Horse Trailer Tire Buying Guide

Getting the right horse trailer tires is essential. It helps ensure optimized performance, fuel efficiency, and safety. But how do you know which option to choose? Use the following buying guide to make the shopping process easier.

If you have any questions or want to also shop for horse trailers for sale, reach out to the experts at True Value Trailers & Power Equipment. Our dealership is located in Penrose and Florence, Colorado, and we also serve those in Colorado Springs and Pueblo.

Know When To Buy Horse Trailer Tires

There are two key situations when it's time to replace your current horse trailer tires.

First, get new horse trailer tires once your current ones reach four years old. They will be worn down and aged to the point of compromised performance and safety.

Second, buy new tires if your current ones are damaged beyond repair.

Decide Between ST or LT Horse Trailer Tires

There are two main types of tires that you can use for your horse trailer. Light truck (LT) tires are built for trucks while specialty trailer (ST) tires are made for trailers. Either can be used, but we highly recommend only buying ST tires.

Remember that horse trailers have less advanced suspension systems than a truck. This means horse trailer tires have to absorb more road shock, which can take a heavy toll. ST tires are constructed with stronger sidewalls to counteract this, making them a more durable and long-lasting option.

ST tires also have the benefit of reduced trailer sway. They are made with a rigid sidewall. Since horse trailers follow the direction of travel, their tires won't need to flex as much. LT tires, on the other hand, are built to flex during cornering. This results in increased trailer sway and decreased comfort for your horses.

Choose The Tire Load Range

It's best to purchase the horse trailer tires with the highest load range available. This reduces the risk of blowouts, which helps keep yourself, your horses, and your cargo safer on the road.

Keep in mind that a heavily loaded trailer faces an increased blowout risk. Horse trailers are often heavily loaded given the weight of animals, tack, and other supplies. It's wise to invest in tires with a high load range.

You can find a given model's load range by looking at the tire's letters. Load range is marked using letters from C to F. For example, a C notes a 6 ply load equivalent while an E marks a 10 ply load equivalent. The higher the ply rating, the higher the load capacity.

Choose The Brand

Not all manufacturers have the same quality. Spend some time researching customer reviews and trailer dealership recommendations. See what people love and hate, using their experience to help inform your search.

There are also some brands that make tires with horse trailers in mind. Common companies include Towmaster, Milestar, and Carlisle. Their focus on horse trailer tires can result in better performance and quality for your specific needs.

Consider Accessories 

Finally, think about whether you want to purchase accessories related to your horse trailer tires. For example, how about a tire pressure monitoring system? This gives you instant access to the tires' inflation levels, alerting you to issues so you don't have to manually check them every time you take your trailer out. It saves you time, but more importantly it helps prevent dangerous blowouts.

We hope you found this guide to horse trailer tires helpful! For more information or to shop horse trailers for sale, head over to True Value Trailers & Power Equipment. Our expert staff can answer questions, give advice, and assist with anything you need. We are based in Penrose and Florence, Colorado, and we also serve those in Pueblo and Colorado Springs.