Overland Trailer Tires

(Did you mean overlanding tires? Check out our blog!)

For the ultimate level of storage for your overlanding or camping excursion, no roof rack or loaded up off-roader can beat the additional storage of an expedition trailer.

But for the rough and tough (and determined) overlander, choosing the right trailer tires can be especially daunting. What tires can stand up to the great outdoors, rough terrain and constant test of strength?

We’ve covered trailer tires before but in short: special tires (ST) are used for trailers because they keep your rig in place and have a higher load capacity than light truck (LT) or passenger tires. They also have thinner threads to help reduce any negative impact to your vehicle’s fuel economy when towing.

But when it comes to overlanding trailer tires, there’s some other things you need to consider.

SHOULD YOU PUT ALL-TERRAIN/MUD TERRAIN TIRES ON AN OVERLAND TRAILER?

Yes, you can put all-terrain or mud terrain tires on your overland trailer.

Generally, it is not advised to put passenger vehicle tires on a trailer. This is because most passenger tires do not have the appropriate load carrying capacity to handle towing and can fail due to stress.

However, considering the specialized needs of an overland trailer tire, an all-terrain or mud terrain tire answers very well. There are substantially more sizes to choose from than your average trailer tire. While you need to verify the load capacity of your tires meets the needs of your trailer, overlanding trailers are not usually as weighed down as anything you would typically tow on a street trailer tire.

Some popular options? Check out the Toyo Open Country M/T or the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2.

Normal trailers are also pretty low to the ground. Most overlanding enthusiasts modify their vehicles by lifting them and adding bulkier tires. So, equipping your overland trailer with an A/T or M/T tire will also help lift up your trailer so it is more level with the towing vehicle.

Some overlanding community members also mount the same tire and wheel combination on their trailers as their towing vehicle.

You can check out our blog on trailer tire load range to double check you have the right tire load carrying capacity for what you need!

ARE ALL-TERRAIN TIRES ON A TRAILER SAFE?

All terrain tires are appropriate to use for off road trailers as long as the tires meet the load carrying capacity of the trailer.

Typically, you would not use a non-trailer tire for most other towing/hauling scenarios. However, the extreme driving conditions and rigors of off-road environments mean that special care must be taken when leaving pavement.

But most overlanding enthusiasts know what they’re getting themselves into ahead of time. Dedicated overland trailers, which even sometimes come equipped with shocks or air-ride suspension, are designed to traverse the roughest trails and obstacles.

Most overland trailers are not especially heavy loads as it would be very difficult to overcome off-road obstacles. As long as the load carrying capacity (load index) meets the needs of your trailer, you can equip your overlanding trailer with all-terrain or mud terrain tires. If you raise your trailer with taller tires be sure to adjust the tow height of your hitch if needed.

Let’s get you rolling

Did this remind you that you probably should replace your truck tires, too? We got you covered.

Not sure where to start? Start with Treadwell, our smart tire buying guide. In one minute or less, it will pair you with the best tires for you, your vehicle and your drive. It’s the same tool we use in store to offer you the best option possible. Shop and compare tires that fit you, your vehicle and your drive with track tested and data-backed options.

Buy and book online to save time!

For more information on this and other tire and wheel services, check out our YouTube Channel or reach out to us on X, Facebook and Instagram.