[A/S] Food for trailer Tire thought

[pbarlow@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Hi all,
In the last number of days we have had a number of comments on trailer 
tires and prices. Generally the prices have been in the $50 to $60  
each, price range.So why is it then that a trailer tire, which we all 
assume to have stronger side walls and a different rubber compound,  
is cheaper than a good quality  brand name car tire of a comparable 
size, even the ones I bought where cheaper than my car tires, and not 
by just a few dollars either. I wonder why this is.
 
One other puzzle, why is it that we would put 50/60 dollar tires on a 
trailer, that in many cases is worth more than a good car, or put 
another way, would you drive your children or grand children around in 
a car with  $50/60 tires on, I know I would not, or is this a normal 
price in the states for a good quality top of the line brand name car 
tire.
 
    I wonder if the tire company's, including the company I work for, 
does much  testing of trailer tires, come to that I wonder if A/S do 
tire testing?

     I have come to the conclusion that I have about  4 choices of 
tires.  
One-tires from the company I work for, that is if they still sell 
them,  I am still playing phone tag with the guy for consumer affairs 
in Canada.
 
  Two- I  could buy the Goodyear Marathons of which I have heard some 
bad reports about. But  then generally you only here the bad reports 
of any product. 
Three- there is Kelly tires, but after a check on the internet they 
have been owned by Goodyear since 1998 so by now the Kelly and 
Goodyear Marathon are possibly  one and the same.  
 Four the Towmaster, this I now find is made by the Cheng-Shin company 
in Taiwan,  so that does not fill me with confidence.
  Five the Carlisle of which I can find no history on the internet of  
who  this company is or who makes makes them.
     So where does this leave me. If my company does not still make 
trailer tires,and I could not find them in the latest tire catalog.
I think my only choice would be Michelins. At least they make a 
quality tire and stand behind them, or then again, have some of you 
had bad experiences with these. If so I do not know what I would buy.
   Brian in Canada
PS Hunter I am still digging on load ratings. Seems that the A,B,C,D,
   system, at least on cars has gone to a number code system. I will 
post a website on it.