how to rotate tandem pontoon tires on trailer

[rentprop1]

I feel its time to rotate the tires on my pontoon, if anything the way its been sitting in the driveway, although its covered the sun hits the port side in the fall thru Spring

I was thinking of getting the port side tires to the starboard by this method, please tell me if its wrong or there is a better way

RF = right front
LF = left
RR right rear

you get it

I was thinking to swap them in an " X " pattern where the RF to LR and LF to RR

is this right ??

 

[matt167]

Re: how to rotate tandem pontoon tires on trailer

X pattern will be fine. Forward or rearward cross would be better for the life of the tires as every tire has been on each hub every 4th rotation, but it's a trailer, no drive wheels so, that's really unneeded.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: how to rotate tandem pontoon tires on trailer

Both tires on a axle should wear almost the same way. If they do not. Find out what is causing the odd ball wear. Repair the problem. Why wear out 2 tires faster than normal. Steel belted I always rotate back & forth on the same side.

Only because the wheels can not be moved foward, they are welded in place.

 

[babbot]

Re: how to rotate tandem pontoon tires on trailer

Not sure if it matters since it is a trailer but the norm for a car is both front tires to the back on the same side then criss cross the rear tires to the front. This makes it so the tires truly rotate around the vehicle with multiple changes. Your car owners manual should have a drawing.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: how to rotate tandem pontoon tires on trailer

You rotate tires on a car because your front and back tires do different functions. There is generally no need to rotate trailer tires.

Given that you said you have a tandem axle pontoon trailer, its very likely you don't have a walking axle of any sort? That means the height of your tow vehicle hitch is extremely important, too high and it wears out the back tires, too low, and you wear the front. It also means you are overloading one set of tires.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: how to rotate tandem pontoon tires on trailer

Good call on 2 & 3 axle trailers. Especially when the trailer hits a LONG DEEP interstate puddle of water on a curve.

"" Who lost their trailer ? That is my boat passing me. ""
Seen that one in Pennsylvania. What hydroplaning on the lightly loaded tires?
Single axles have no problem compared to multi axles.

 

[JimS123]

Re: how to rotate tandem pontoon tires on trailer

Back in the day when the standard was a bias ply tire, the criss-cross rotation was recommended. When they first came out with radial tires they advised against changing the rotation, so front to back only was the norm. Later they (the tire manufactuires) said cross rotation was OK. The first time I did that I had 3 tires slip belts and had to throw the set away.

My 2012 Chevy owner's manual says front to back only. My other car has new Goodyear Assurance tires, which have a directional specific tread, so they MUST stay on the same side.

OK what does this have to do with a trailer? If they are radial tires, rotate them front to back and you'll be safe. Switching sides may work, but it won't get you any more tire life, but it could shorten it.

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: how to rotate tandem pontoon tires on trailer

Some X pattern, some move forward and reverse. I would check the tire manufacture and see what they advise. I have done all of the above with bias and radial except directional which only stay on the same side hence the word "directional." Some times people will start with movement from front to rear and cross them. Others say doing this will weaken the belts within the tire itself... I do not know. So ask the maker of the tire and see.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: how to rotate tandem pontoon tires on trailer

If the tires are steel belted radials, don't go the x pattern. Just to front to back and back to front.

Boat trailer tires seldom wear out due to relatively low miles on them. They are left out in the sun, and the weathering and sunlight will cause quick deterioration. Trailer authorities say to use only ST trailer tires, and to keep them pumped up to high pressures. Car tires don't have sufficient side wall strength to be good for trailers.

Best thing to do with a boat trailer is to put the trailer on jack stands for the winter, and bring the tires inside a garage--spraying them with silicone to protect the rubber tires. They'll last much longer, and it's not much of a job to remove them.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: how to rotate tandem pontoon tires on trailer

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Best thing to do with a boat trailer is to put the trailer on jack stands for the winter, and bring the tires inside a garage--spraying them with silicone to protect the rubber tires. They'll last much longer, and it's not much of a job to remove them.

Make sure you read the ingredients on the silicone spray. Most of the time, silicone sprays also contain a solvent, and you are actually shortening the life of the tire. It strips the top layer of oxidized rubber off and dries it out. There are a couple decent silicone sprays meant for tires that do not have any solvents, they are generally advertised as water based silicone tire dressing.