Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

tfjrc2 · Jan 7, 2005

All: Have a tandem trailer currently with no spare. Tires are very good as all 4 changed in August when I purchased the used boat. They are Goodyear trailer tires, all properly mounted, balanced on the aluminum rims, etc. The pattern is a 14" Ford bolt spread, but now I'm concerned about not having any spare at all. What does this "team" think of spending $15 at a junkyard for an automotive rim and tire from a Ford for any emergency? Have not done anything yet. Just looking to spend $15 instead of $150! I'd promise not to use any spare long, but think I'd be OK for a bit as the boat is 3150 (dry) on a 6000lb rated trailer. Just till I get to a tire shop----I promise! Jim

NathanY · Jan 7, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

Ive never had a spare tire on a tandem trailer. If one ever blew, I just pulled it off to keep rubber from hitting cars. You still have 3 on the ground. But if you need a spare, Im sure your idea will work just fine.

JB · Jan 7, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

Bad idea, Jim. Get a proper spare. . . right wheel, right tire. Wheel offset and/or tire capacity would eat your lunch, just when you don't have any slack.

tfjrc2 · Jan 7, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

JB: I would think the rim is the rim right? Any 14" Ford aluminum rim would do.....Just get the right type of trailer tire? It is only January, and I have till April, but it is fun to think about boating while looking at a foot of snow. I also think I at least need a decoy spare, or even the exact right on to pull the boat into WI. Thanx!

roscoe · Jan 7, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

Get a new trailer. No trailer with Ford rims is allowed in Wisconsin.

djvan · Jan 8, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

If you are going to go this route check the rim for proper backspacing. Sometimes the wheel won't fit, hits the frame. I run ranger wheels on my trailer, 3 years no problems yet. I'm not endorsing this practice, but I've had no problems. My trips are short though. I have on occasion pulled 50 miles one way. DougV>

dingbat · Jan 8, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

I got way without a spare for number of years because the truck used the same size tire. I used the trucks spare on a couple of occasions to get home. As long as the tire's rated properly there shouldnt be a problem.

bossee · Jan 8, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

Hi, Personally I never use my trailer unless I have the trailer spare tyre with me. If You want You should be able to find a spare tyre holder that can be attached to the trailer, like this as an example:

tfjrc2 · Jan 8, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

Bo: Thanx, there is a West Marine store one town over, and I've looked at the spare carrier. It is a bolt-on thing that should work. And Roscoe....If/when I venture to your fair state, I promise to stop at the border and buy cheese, bratwurst & beer!!!

TilliamWe · Jan 9, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

Jimbo, I would do it the way you suggested, the "cheap" route. But then I got to thinking... You blow a tire, right? So you stop to jack it up, change over to the "emergency" spare, and then have to try to find a "tire" shop, right?? Well, wouldn't it be much less time consuming ("boating time" consuming) to just have a matched & proprer spare ready to go? Then after you jack it up & change it, you're done! Go to the ramp, launch, boat, and have fun. Fix or get a new tire during the week. Just a thought.

TilliamWe · Jan 9, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

Oh, I would still check with a place that specializes in used wheels (in Peoria, IL it's "Hubcap House"). They should be able to match the trailer wheels you have, bolt pattern off set the whole thing, and sell you a use wheel for less than a new one. Then put on the correct trailer rated tire that matches your others.

rwidman · Jan 10, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

... You blow a tire, right? So you stop to jack it up, change over to the "emergency" spare, and then have to try to find a "tire" shop, right?? ...

Most of my towing time is early in the morning or late in the evening when places to repair or buy trailer tires are not open. I tow about 67 miles each way. I think having a proper spare is a good idea.

Ive never had a spare tire on a tandem trailer. If one ever blew, I just pulled it off to keep rubber from hitting cars. You still have 3 on the ground.

I had to do that once when my brakes locked up. However, I have about 7,000 lb on about 7,400 lb worth of tires (when they are all there) so I didn't want to go far or fast. I drove slowly and carefully to a friend's house and left the boat and trailer there until the next day when I could make repairs. If you had saved one of the old tires you would have a spare - just buy a cheap rim that fits your trailer (from the trailer or marine store).

NYMINUTE · Jan 11, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

Originally posted by JB: Bad idea, Jim. Get a proper spare. . . right wheel, right tire. Wheel offset and/or tire capacity would eat your lunch, just when you don't have any slack.

This is worthy of a reread. Too costly to gamble on less, and too easy to get lazy.

Frankhanhart · Jan 11, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

planning to buy a trailer (2 wheels only) 1100 lbs. Thanks for the advice...would feel stupid if one tyre blew and left me stranded on the highway. As you all know..thinking about the possibility and waving the idea is a garranty for things to happen! Frank

AaronG · Jan 11, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

Better get a good jack too. Your spare tire won't do you any good without a jack that can lift the trailer. The one in your car/truck probably won't do it. I tow trailers all the time. I've never had a tire problem, but I have had two wheel bearing failures. I think your money is better spent on bearing buddies. -Aaron

KM2 · Jan 11, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

I was sure glad last summer that I had a matching spare when my tire blew, 20 miles from the nearest town on a Sunday afternoon, 150 miles from home ..... My truck's lug wrench didn't fit my boat trailer's so that was a real PITA. I won't get caught unprepared again. I would get a good spare tire and matching wheel, make sure you have a lug wrench and jack that will work on the trailer. A flat piece of metal or wood to set the jack on to keep it from sinking in the soft ground on the side of the road. I have a mount similar to the picture some posts back. I use a bicycle U lock to keep it there.

jlinder · Jan 11, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

Had something similar last summer. Said I would not go on long trip without spare. Large size tire hard to find, but got it. Tire blew. Luckily I always travel with a large X-wrench, good bottle jack, and a couple of little boards to put under the jack (if you pull off the road the right tire is often on dirt). Cheap insurance, and a life saver if you ever need it.

rwidman · Jan 11, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

A bottle jack and some pieces of wood to set it on will work. Test it before you need it. Check to see if the tow vehicle lug wrench fits, if not, buy one. You need a set of wheel chocks. Anti sieze compound on the studs is a good idea. I keep the trailer spare tire in the (covered) bed of the truck. No need for brackets and little chance of theft.

jlinder · Jan 11, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

Forgot about wheel chocks, but suspect while still connected to tow vehicle it will not move. My boat and trailer combo is about 4000 lbs. Make that 2000 lbs per tire. Jack is 2 ton. I like the X-wrenches. For those times when the nuts are tight it can give you some extra leverage.

62_Kiwi · Jan 11, 2005

Re: Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

I always carry a good spare on my trailer - similar arrangement to what Bo showed us. Murphies Law ensures that if I have a good spare, then I'll never need to use it

My trailer (and the same for most I've seen in NZ) uses heavy duty (light truck) tyres - not the same as you'd find on a motor car (much higher pressure too). The wheel rims are specially made for the purpose. Using the wrong type of wheel is asking for trouble - and besides, if you use it, you won't want to have to change it back again (waste of good boating time). Doing it right is worth a few extra bux IMHO. Peace of mind comes into it too...

Need thoughts on spare tire plan-sort of

Petty Officer 3rd Class

Commander

Honorary Moderator Emeritus

Petty Officer 3rd Class

Supreme Mariner

Chief Petty Officer

Supreme Mariner

Senior Chief Petty Officer

Petty Officer 3rd Class

Banned

Banned

Lieutenant

Captain

Petty Officer 1st Class

Petty Officer 1st Class

Chief Petty Officer

Lieutenant Junior Grade

Lieutenant

Lieutenant Junior Grade

Lieutenant Junior Grade