Bad Tires?

[1stgenbird]

Re: Bad Tires?

As this boat and trailer was a recent purchase, the seller told me he had replaced the tires a couple of years ago. Based on that info, I only assumed that when he bought the boat and trailer from the original owner 4 years ago, it had the 8" rims.
I do have a 14' Starcraft aluminum and that trailer has 12" rims.

 

[lrak]

Re: Bad Tires?

The 8" tires should not be a problem. The ones you got could possibly suck. What does the place that sold them to you say?

Everyone seems to be ignoring the fact that it is a TANDEM axle trailer. I've never heard of a tandem with 8" tires, but there will be no problem at all with that boat on FOUR 8x5.7 LRC tires. I bet most people tow a 19' Silverline on TWO 13" or 14" tires.

 

[1stgenbird]

Re: Bad Tires?

The 8" tires should not be a problem. The ones you got could possibly suck. What does the place that sold them to you say?

Everyone seems to be ignoring the fact that it is a TANDEM axle trailer. I've never heard of a tandem with 8" tires, but there will be no problem at all with that boat on FOUR 8x5.7 LRC tires. I bet most people tow a 19' Silverline on TWO 13" or 14" tires.

I am sure getting many different opinions on this. I am sending those tires back as they are junk. Strange that the tires I took off are the same brand, Towmaster, but the trailer towed fine with them. Maybe this on-line tire store I got the new ones from deals with seconds.
The guy that runs the marina that checked out the trailer for me said that for 1-2 hour trips the 8" would be fine but towing for hours, as I planned to do, the tires have such a high rev per minute, they would overheat and start blowing 4-6 hours into the trip.

 

[louiefl]

Re: Bad Tires?

What size bearings did you install, what is the bolt pattern of the hub, and what is the weight of your boat? I'm thinking maybe, you can upgrade hub / bolt circle to allow for larger tires, and lose one of the axles - provided the remianing one is up to snuff.

Bearings sizes are usually matched up to axle load ratings, and you might be lucky and be able to upgrade the hubs to use a larger bolt circle diameter, then larger wheels. In a pinch you can get pre-mounted galvanized wheel / tire combos at Wal-Mart for $100 each. You can get 13" and 14" sizes all day.

Pics of your trailer would help.

 

[1stgenbird]

Re: Bad Tires?

The boat is about 2100 lbs with full fuel tank. The hubs are 4 bolt and 1.9" diameter bearings. I could probably fit 12" wheels as I can get those in 4 bolt config. Still unsure whether that setup would be robust enough for long distance. Maybe it would be with the tandem axles. I'm sure the axles are 2000lb rating.

 

[lrak]

Re: Bad Tires?

The guy that runs the marina that checked out the trailer for me said that for 1-2 hour trips the 8" would be fine but towing for hours, as I planned to do, the tires have such a high rev per minute, they would overheat and start blowing 4-6 hours into the trip.

Urban legend. I've towed over thousand mile days on 8" tires. If they don't heat up in 20 minutes they aren't going to heat up in 16 hours either.

 

[1stgenbird]

Re: Bad Tires?

Maybe I'm just paranoid now. My vacation starts in a few days and unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to have the time to search out and buy 4 matching 12" load range C or D tires and wheels. I've looked at a few places and if they have them at all, its only one or two. I guess the 19' Silverline stays home and I'll take my 14' Starcraft tinny.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Bad Tires?

Maybe I'm just paranoid now. My vacation starts in a few days and unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to have the time to search out and buy 4 matching 12" load range C or D tires and wheels. I've looked at a few places and if they have them at all, its only one or two. I guess the 19' Silverline stays home and I'll take my 14' Starcraft tinny.

http://recstuff.com/480x12LoadRangeCTrailerTireon4BoltWhiteSpokeTrailerWheel.aspx
I'm sure they can also put a load range D on and ship, but it will probably take an extra day.