new tires for my trailer

[mcaproni]

I am a 2nd yeat boat owner who trailers a lot. I have blown 3 tires this year and need 4 new ones. I have done some research but am very confused. I have a tandum axle with total trailer and boat weight at about 6,000 lbs fully loaded; any suggestions.

 

[tommays]

Re: new tires for my trailer

What size and rateing do you have now ?

A lot of new trailers come with tires that are just big enough for the load and fail if the air pressure is even a littel bit low


Tommays

 

[mcaproni]

Re: new tires for my trailer

What size and rateing do you have now ?

A lot of new trailers come with tires that are just big enough for the load and fail if the air pressure is even a littel bit low


Tommays

 

[mcaproni]

Re: new tires for my trailer

It is a used trailer and there were 3 different kinds of tires on it. I did notice that the two rear tires were TS 205 78R14 rated at 1760 lbs ea. The two forward tires were mismatched at lower ratings.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: new tires for my trailer

looking at this chart you are at the bottom of the class C range tire. i would use a higher weight tire. and you must maintain the air pressure. this is just a chart, but they are very good people to deal with for trailer parts.

http://www.championtrailers.com/tire.html

 

[mcaproni]

Re: new tires for my trailer

Thanks for the info, I will definately try them.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: new tires for my trailer

You want tires where the size begins with the letters "ST" which stands for "special trailer". Do not buy tires with "P" (passenger car) designation. You will also be looking at a Load Range "C" minimum. Tires are sort of like batteries -- there is no harm installing tires with a much higher load capacity than required. There is a problem if you install tires with a load capacity that is too low. With a load like yours, I'd install the largest tires and highest load capacity that will fit under the fenders.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: new tires for my trailer

The largest 14" tire you can get is a ST215/75-14 in either radial or bias. Each tire is rated for 1870#.

I like the towmaster radials made by Greenball. I use them on both my horse and boat trailers.

http://www.greenball.com/tires/towmaster.htm

 

[blouderback]

Re: new tires for my trailer

What was the brand name of the tires that blew? I'll bet they were Carlisle tires...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: new tires for my trailer

The most important things to know to determine the failures are:

1) age of tire
2) load on tire
3) pressure in tire
4) had the tire hit anything.

 

[SwampNut]

Re: new tires for my trailer

I just put on a new set of tires (with a 10k load, they were pricey :/) I ended up with Carlisle radials because everyone at the shop agreed they are the ones with the fewest problems they see. I hear lots of stories about that brand, but you'd think the tire shop knows what they see come back with problems, and they didn't recommend the more expensive brands.

These do ride much nicer than the old ones.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: new tires for my trailer

Another thing to consider is the tire construction. I have to use bias ply tires (versus radials) on one of my trailers due to the proximity of the fender and frame. The sidewall flex on bias plys is much less than radials. YMMV.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: new tires for my trailer

That is a strange reason since the flex of the tire is only going to be different where the tire meets the surface. Near the fender, both tires look very similar.

Another thing to consider is the tire construction. I have to use bias ply tires (versus radials) on one of my trailers due to the proximity of the fender and frame. The sidewall flex on bias plys is much less than radials. YMMV.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: new tires for my trailer

Under static conditions, you're right. But what happens to the tire when it's rolling and you take a corner? The sidewall flexes as force is applied to it. Are you suggesting that action is limited to only the road side of the tire? I believe the "top" of the tire will flex in the opposite direction by the same amount as the side in contact with the road. A stiffer sidewall limits the amount of flexing and therefore clearance needed.

Some applications need bias plys to limit sway as well.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: new tires for my trailer

Here is a good article on trailer tires.

Trailer Tire Article

 

[mkpj1]

Re: new tires for my trailer

Any recommendations for brand? I need a couple and i am leaning towards Goodyear's trailer tire the marathon.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: new tires for my trailer

I would recommend a small company called Titan. Price competitive and solid. I had a set of four put on over a year ago and they are wearing well, (I trailer alot) and zero problems. My boat is similiar to the one outlined above.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: new tires for my trailer

like the towmaster radials made by Greenball. I use them on both my horse and boat trailers.

www.greenball.com/tires/towmaster.htm

 

[Kwas]

Re: new tires for my trailer

The Carlisle bias ply tires have had a lot of failures but the Carlisle radials seem to have a good reputation. I think that I read somewhere that Titon tires are made by Carlisle. I have Carlisle bias ply tires on my trailer but I don't tow it very far and not very fast. I have only had the boat and trailer several months and have had no problems. The tires are about 8 years old. If I ever had to tow it any distance at highway speeds I would replace them.

 

[SwampNut]

Re: new tires for my trailer

At the local tire shop everyone agreed that they see less problems with the Carlisle radials ($99) than with the Goodyears ($120). They stock both, make more on the Goodyears, and recommend the Carlisles. I have no reason to disbelieve them.