Carlisle is a name most drivers know from trailers, mowers, ATVs and farm equipment rather than from the family sedan. That is because the brand is built around specialty tires: agriculture, construction, industrial, outdoor power equipment, powersports, towables and trailers. This review explains what Carlisle makes today, who owns it, and when a Carlisle tire makes sense.
Carlisle Tire and Rubber Company was founded in 1917 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, by Charles S. Moomy to make inner tubes for Montgomery Ward. Today the brand belongs to The Carlstar Group, headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, which also sells ITP, Marathon, Cragar, Black Rock and Unique products. Carlisle doesn’t chase the passenger-car market; for summer tires or everyday all-season tires, look at mainstream brands instead.
How this review was put together: We have not road-tested Carlisle tires. This review is based on Carlstar company information and retailer listings, with sources listed at the end. An earlier version of this page described Carlisle passenger-car tires and owner results we could not verify; it has been rewritten. Checked on October 22, 2026.
Table of Contents
What Carlisle Makes Today
According to Carlstar, the Carlisle brand covers specialty tires and wheels in these categories:
- Trailer and towable tires for boat, utility and camper trailers
- Agricultural tires for tractors and implements
- Construction and industrial tires for skid steers and similar equipment
- Outdoor power equipment tires for lawn and turf machines
- Powersports tires for ATVs and UTVs
If you are shopping for a passenger car, SUV or pickup tire, Carlisle is not the brand to look for; mainstream all-season, highway and all-terrain brands like BFGoodrich or Goodyear cover those vehicles.
Company History
- 1917: Carlisle Tire and Rubber Company founded in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, making inner tubes.
- 1943–1949: Bought by Pharis Tire and Rubber, then renamed Carlisle Corporation.
- 1990s: Became Carlisle Tire & Wheel Company after acquiring wheel makers.
- 2011: Tire, wheel and belt operations combined as Carlisle Transportation Products.
- December 31, 2013: American Industrial Partners acquired the division, which became The Carlstar Group.
Buying a Carlisle Tire
Carlisle tires are sold through equipment dealers, tire shops and online retailers. Because specialty sizes vary widely, match the size, load range and speed rating on your existing tire or equipment manual before ordering, and buy from an authorized seller so warranty coverage applies. Warranty terms vary by product line, so check the coverage for the specific tire.
Performance: What We Can and Cannot Say
We have not tested Carlisle tires and have not found independent comparative tests for its specialty lines. For trailer tires in particular, the most important factors are correct load range, correct inflation and age: trailer tires often age out before they wear out, so check the DOT date code and replace old tires even if the tread looks fine.
Who Should Consider Carlisle Tires
- Trailer owners who need ST tires in common sizes
- Owners of mowers, ATVs, UTVs and other equipment that came with Carlisle tires
- Farm and light construction users looking for replacement equipment tires
Carlisle at a Glance
| Detail | What we confirmed |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1917 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, by Charles S. Moomy, making inner tubes for Montgomery Ward |
| Parent company | The Carlstar Group, headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee |
| Ownership | American Industrial Partners, since the end of 2013 |
| Sister brands | ITP, Marathon, Cragar, Black Rock and Unique |
| Focus | Specialty tires and wheels: trailer, agriculture, construction, industrial, outdoor power equipment, powersports and more |
Choosing the Right Trailer Tire
Trailer tires are where most drivers meet the Carlisle name, and they follow different rules from car tires.
- Use tires built for trailers. Special Trailer (ST) tires use stiffer sidewalls to control sway under load; passenger tires are not designed for that job.
- Match the load range to the trailer. The combined load capacity of the tires should exceed the trailer’s gross vehicle weight rating, with margin to spare.
- Check the speed rating on the sidewall. Many trailer tires are rated well below passenger-car speeds, and towing above that rating builds heat that can cause failures.
- Watch age as closely as tread. Trailer tires often sit for months and age out before they wear out. Our guides to preventing trailer tire dry rot and how old tires can safely be cover storage, pressure and date codes.
- Inflate to the pressure the tire maker specifies for the load, checked cold before every trip, and carry a matching spare.
Where Carlisle Fits
Carlisle does not make tires for ordinary passenger cars, so it is not a competitor to the brands in our car tire reviews. For trailers, mowers, ATVs and equipment, it is one of the long-established names, and Carlstar’s dealer network handles warranty questions. Check the warranty for your specific product, since terms differ by category.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Carlstar lists Carlisle as a specialty brand for agriculture, construction, industrial, outdoor power equipment, powersports, towables and trailers. Look to mainstream brands for passenger-car tires.
The Carlstar Group, headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee. American Industrial Partners acquired the business at the end of 2013.
In Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1917, making inner tubes for Montgomery Ward.
They are a common choice, but we have not found independent comparative tests. Match the load range to your trailer and replace tires by age as well as tread depth.
Trailer tires often sit for months and age out before they wear out, so check the DOT date code and replace old tires even if the tread looks fine. Correct load range and inflation also make a big difference.
Final Verdict
Carlisle is a specialty tire brand with more than a century of history, now part of The Carlstar Group. It makes sense for trailers, outdoor equipment, powersports and farm machines, not for passenger cars. Choose by size, load range and application, and buy from an authorized seller.
Sources
Specs, warranty terms and prices were checked on October 22, 2026. Prices change often.
- The Carlstar Group: About (history, ownership, product categories)
- Giga Tires: Carlstar tires (retail listings)
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