HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

[tkcenterline]

I have a shorlander trailer and a Lowe alum deep vee boat. The trailer and boat where designed as a package. I bought them both from the dealer new. The trailer had the Lowe decales, but says it was manufactured by shorelander, single axle (3.5 x 4" tube steel), 13" wheels,(bunk type and it is rated for 5000# . The boat is a 20'0" long, The weight of the boat, trailer, boat motor, kicker motor and gear weight approx 2300# tops. <br /><br />The problem is I get about One season's use out of a set of tires, which is about 8 eight short trips and one or two long trips (total 1500 mile if that), The tires over heat and blow out on the hightway, during a long trip to canada. Also, I have noticed one of the tires will wear uneven (both outside edges are worn and the middle of the tire isnt even touched). The tire tread will peel off. Tires get very hot on long trips.<br /><br />The tires I had on the trailer where rated at 1350# c range at 50# each. The tire dealer told me to go up to a d range tire, which is rated for 1875 #. I did this!! Just before our Canada trip and both tires peels of the tread and blew out about 50 mile apart from each other. Meaning, I just had a blow out, put the spare on and the other tire blew 50 mile later. I cant tell you the problem I had. I do cheak my pressure and tires all the time. Can anyone help me. What is causing this dangerous problem. Please help. Thank You

 

[Realgun]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

Also, I have noticed one of the tires will wear uneven (both outside edges are worn and the middle of the tire isnt even touched). The tire tread will peel off. Tires get very hot on long trips.<br />

Well right there you found part of the problem. If the middle of the tread is not touching pavement you are not inflating high enough.<br /><br />It is possible you have a bent axle also but I know it is the inflation pressure.<br /><br />On a car over inflation wears the middle of the tread and under wears out the edges. Should be the same on a trailer tire. Under inflation also leads to heat buildup.<br /><br />Heres a picture. Enjoy<br />

 

[roscoe]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

I hate Shorlander trailers, seen too many failures on them, everything seems to be under built. Broken winch posts, tongues, roller brackets, spring mounts. Never mind, not enough space here.<br /><br />Sorry, but I doubt that your trailer is not rated for 5000#. The hitch or coupler may be rated for 5000,the trailer is only rated for the weight rating of the weakest link in the whole trailer, and that sounds like it would be the tires. Additionally, if they gave you a 5000# trailer, they lost a bunch of $.<br /><br /><br />But your problem does seem to be under inflation.<br />The tires should be inflated to the max pressure printed on the sidewall. Thet will run cooler, less flex, less bounce, less wear.<br /><br /><br />What tire size and rating is listed on the trailer specification sticker on the trailer?<br /><br />Does the trailer sway or bounce as you go down the highway?<br /><br />Is the axle perpendicular to the tongue, or is it on a slight angle? This could compound the underinflation problem.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

Could be the Chitown politicos hot air causing some weird ozone problem (used to live Riverside+Downers Grove!), but I think 13's way too small for a 20 footer. Get thyself to a trailer shop for a upgrade

 

[tkcenterline]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

When the boat is on the trailer. I inflated it to the 50# as posted on the tire wall. Should I add more air over the 50#? The tires are the same size as recommended on the tag of the trailer. As a matter of fact, I changed the tire from a c range to a d range, which should have helped. I have no bounce and no sway. How do I check the axle to tongue location

 

[DJ]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

Outer edge tire wear is a sign of underinflation. Inflate the tires to 50# COLD.<br /><br />If you are using Carlisle tires, switch to Goodyear Marathon-ST .

 

[djvan]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

Measure from the ball to the axle nut on both sides, the measurements should be the same. If they aren't, the axle is either bent or out of alignment. Make sure the tires aren't too wide for the wheels.<br /><br />DougV>

 

[Boomyal]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

Switch to 14" wheels and tires. 13" is way too small for a twenty foot boat. You should be able to get 14" wheels from your tire shop for $20 or so.

 

[Elk Chaser]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

Are these "ST" tires or what? Sounds like you have passenger tires.

 

[ED21]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

It also sounds like their may be to much camber on the wheels. The wheels could be tilted in so much so that the outer edge of the tire is taking all the weight & wear. That would overheat the tire too.<br />I don't know how to fix it, but a trailer shop should.

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

13" tires for trailer rated @ 5000lbs not a chance. Maybe 2 to 3000lb max.<br />You need minimum 14".<br />With anything over 3000lbs you run the risk of<br />heating up and peeling the rubber off.

 

[2MADAKAT]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

My father-in-laws boat is a 19' searay powered by 302V8 and it sits on the same type of trailer other than his is rollers and not bunk.<br />He used to blow at least one tire per 5 hour trip.<br />Only way to solve problem was to go up to full size 14" tires. Hasn't had a problem since.

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

I use light truck commercial radials on my trailers. Since changing over I've had no more failures at all.<br />My boat is on 185Rx13 LT tires with 8 ply cases. They are much taller than reg 185's and they dont run hot.<br />You should be able to hold your hand on the tire without burning after running a distance.<br /><br />Peter

 

[RedNecker]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

Take djvans advice & check the alignment. I bought a new trailer this summer & the first thing I did was check the alignment when I got it home, the tires were too warm. It was 1-3/4" out. I moved one side to match. Double check each time you move the axle shackle.<br />It may take two or three moves to get it right.<br /><br />I am putting on Goodyear Marathon radials next week. Had to order them from Sams.<br /><br />Good luck<br /><br />Red

 

[tkcenterline]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

I just got back from the tire store who sold me the tires. All they will do is replace the tires. They will not pay for the trailer fender damage. The tires I have a 185 x 13 st load range D which was good for 1875 # each tire = total 3750 #. My boat, trailer, motors and gear dont even go 2500#. I keep the required 50# of pressure in them. However, if i make a long trip you cant even put your hand on the tires, because they are so hot. The tire store told me it not the camber, because both out side edges of the tires are worn. He also doesnt feel its a weight problem. But,he doesnt know what the problem is. I am going to cheak the alignment as suggested. Since I have to replace the fenders, I was going to go with regular Lt duty truck tires. But you cant get the weight rating you need 1875# or can you??. I was told that truck tires are not good to use. If they solve the problem and are safe I will use them.

 

[CTD]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

How fast do you drive? Do you have brakes, could they be dragging? If your weight is right the tires should last, have you actually weighed the trailer? If they are that hot they are overloaded, underinflated, or something is dragging. If you go fast around corners you'll overload the tire. I agree with others that a 14 inch would be a better choice. When the trailer is set up right most people will never wear out their tires, they rot away first.

 

[twitch]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

It sounds like you have a bent axle. I think some trailers come with the axles bent slightly up in the middle, so when you add weight/boat the contact patch on the tires will be flat. I went through the same thing. I went with an aftermarket axle and 14" wheel with radials, problem solved.

 

[starrider_68]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

tkcenterline<br />Having built trailers for a counterpart of your trailer I see 2 things wrong. #1 wrong tire size. that "package was supposed to have 14" d range wheels. #2 the axel you have may have been on a recall list from the manufacter due to improper placement of spindles in camber jig. (in other words... you may have one of those axels that were welded in the wrong weight jig) there are preset camber angles that relate to the "engineered" weight that an axel is rated for, as in 1.7* for a 1750lb axel, 1.9* for a 2000lb axel, and so on. you may want to take your trailer to a mechanic "buddy" and see what the camber is on your trailer. but try the 14" tires first... it is cheaper than a new axel...

 

[RedNecker]

Re: HELP!! TIRES KEEP BLOWING

I got my new Marathons & new wheels. When I asked to have them balanced the guy said no one balances trailer tires, I said I do.<br /><br />When he put them on the machine the tire wobbled, the new wheels had a warp of 1/4" to 3/8" each.<br /><br />The tires would have scooted/wobbled down the road & got hot.<br /><br />So besides checking the alignment from the ball to the outside center of the axle on both sides, have the tires balanced & check for side wobble.<br /><br />The manufacturer is drop shipping me some new 13" wheels.