Motoring association ADAC has published a tyre test with a difference. Instead of car, SUV or 4×4 tyres, it has chosen to evaluate tyres for trailers, caravans and horse trailers. All ten brands in this test are specifically developed trailer tyres that carry the designations ‘trailer use only’ or ‘free rolling tyre’. All test candidates are the popular trailer size 185 R 14, rated N for speeds up to 87 mph or 140 km/h.
ADAC tested the tyres at the Contidrom, the German testing facility of tyre maker Continental. Its team mounted the ten tyre brands on a caravan and on the front axle of a VW Polo, as not all measuring instruments are compatible with trailers (ADAC assures its readers that the results are fully transferable). The testers took these vehicles out on the wet circular track and in conditions conducive to aquaplaning, testing cornering and braking behaviour.
Four good tyres
ADAC awarded four of the tested tyres a good overall rating. From this quartet, the winning tyre is the BK Trailer 203, which achieved particularly good results in the cornering, aquaplaning and rolling resistance disciplines. The Linglong Radial R701 followed in second place, with the Radar and Boka tyre brands completing the group in joint third place.
These four top tyres are followed by several products with a satisfactory rating, led by GT Radial and Security. Then came the seventh-placed Trailermaxx tyre, which delivered the lowest rolling resistance of the ten products but only provided an adequate result in the cornering aquaplaning test, which prevented it from achieving a higher overall score. The Wanda WR082 performed slightly better than the Trailermaxx in aquaplaning but was weaker in rolling resistance and on the wet circular track.
The final duo are the tyres from Kenda and Nankang, which finished joint ninth. While the Kenda tyre does not distinguish itself in any area, the Nankang shines with its low rolling resistance – but this comes at the price of poor performance in the wet.
Non-specific trailer tyres an option with shortcomings
Owners can fit van tyres to their trailers as an alternative to specialist trailer tyres, however ADAC opines that these typically more expensive tyres are “only worthwhile for users who value winter suitability or particularly good braking properties.” For comparison purposes, the ADAC testers ran a summer and an all-season transporter tyre and found that the summer tyre only delivers better performance on dry roads thanks to a shorter braking distance, while the all-season tyre offers an advantage over pure trailer tyres on snow-covered roads.
In principle, it is also possible to fit a trailer with garden variety car tyres, and these undoubtedly offer the best grip. But covering a trailer’s required load capacity with car tyres often requires a change to larger and wider tyre dimensions. This isn’t always an option as the tyres must fit into the trailer’s wheel arch. What’s more, car tyres are typically more expensive than trailer tyres and need to be paired with rims equipped to cope with the appropriate load capacity.
Last but not least, the combination of high-adhesion tyres and the trailer’s potentially high centre of gravity can cause it to tip over. ADAC therefore doesn’t recommend fitting car tyres to trailers as a rule and only considers them advisable for flat trailers or trailers with a low centre of gravity.
ADAC tips for correct trailer tyre usage:
– The correct tyre pressure is crucial, depending on the trailer load. The trailer manufacturer’s tyre pressure table provides information on this. It is not unusual for up to 65.3 psi /4.5 bar to be required, and this is usually difficult to achieve with equipment at garages, with specialist workshop equipment required.
– If a trailer tyre is damaged, it should be replaced immediately. If the tread is already noticeably worn, both tyres on the axle should be replaced immediately. Unlike on a car, you will not notice a damaged, unevenly rotating tyre on the trailer by a trembling steering wheel or similar.
– If trailers are parked for long periods, the tyres should be protected by jacking them up or at least using tyre trays. Protection from rain and sunlight is also important to preserve the tyres for as long as possible.
