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How to Buy All-Terrain Trailer Tires Without the Sting

How to · Auto

How to Buy All-Terrain Trailer Tires Without the Sting

Get your trailer ready for the season by timing the clearance sales and spreading the cost over 18 months.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $750 before anything else
Across the 0% window $41.67/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $750 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Owning a trailer is great until you realize those tires age even when they aren't moving. Sun damage and dry rot mean you are looking at a fresh set every few years to keep your gear safe on the highway. It is a necessary evil that usually hits right when you want to be out in the dirt.

The best time to buy is late winter when shops clear out old inventory to make room for summer stock. If you time it right, you can grab a full set of four for about $750 and split that cost into monthly bites while the tires are already on your axles.

Keep in mind that the 0% interest period is a hard deadline. If you still have a balance after the 18 months, the standard variable APR will apply to the remaining amount, which makes those tires much more expensive than you planned.

The steps

  1. 01

    Inventory your tread

    Check the date codes on your current sidewalls. If they are over five years old, they are a liability regardless of how much tread is left. Look for cracking in the grooves, which is a sign the rubber is failing.

  2. 02

    Wait for the thaw

    Shop in February or March. Retailers often run deep discounts on all-terrain sets during the off-season to hit their quarterly targets. This is when you will find the $750 price point for a quality set.

  3. 03

    Split the payments

    Use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card (Citi) to cover the set. You get 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. This turns a $750 bill into $41.67 a month if you divide it evenly.

  4. 04

    Negotiate the install

    The card window covers the rubber, but you can usually get the shop to throw in free mounting or balancing if you pay upfront. Ask for a carry-out price first, then see if they will match it for an installed set.

  5. 05

    Protect the rubber

    Once they are on, buy some cheap UV covers. Keeping the sun off the rubber while the trailer sits in the driveway will help prevent the dry rot that killed your last set. It is the cheapest way to make your money last longer.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

Can I just buy two tires instead of four?

It is tempting, but all-terrain tires should be replaced in full sets. Different wear patterns or diameters can make the trailer sway or pull, which is a safety risk at highway speeds.

Does the 0% window start when I buy the tires?

No, the clock starts when you open the account. If you wait three months to go shopping, you only have 15 months left to pay the balance before interest kicks in.

Are trailer tires different from truck tires?

Yes. Trailer tires have stiffer sidewalls designed to handle heavy loads and the stress of towing. Do not swap them for standard passenger tires just to save a few dollars.

What if I find a better deal online?

Many local shops will price-match online retailers if you show them the total cost including shipping. It is worth asking so you can get the installation done at the same place you buy.