tire question

[whogotz]

I currently have 155-80-13 Bridgestone Roadhandlers (are those regular car tires?) on my trailer. I dont know when the last owner put them on but I am ready to change them.<br />I am working on a budget, any tire suggestions?

 

[burp]

Re: tire question

Make sure the tires that you buy are rated to carry the weight that you are towing. Bias vs radial should be considered as the bias ply tires will be cheaper. Personally, Goodyear Marathons are my choice, good service and very reliable.

 

[rwidman]

Re: tire question

Buy trailer tires (type ST), not passenger or light truck tires. <br /><br />There have been lots of complaints on boating and RV forums on "Carlisle" brand tires. I have no personal experience with them.<br /><br />My trailer came with "Loadstar" brand bias ply trailer tires and they have been very reliable. You'll likely find them to be less expensive than the Gooodyear radials.

 

[whogotz]

Re: tire question

Thanks for the suggestions. I am guessing boat and trailer are probably between 2700- 3000?<br />A coworker just told me that for many years he used regular car tires on his boat trailer. <br />Being a newbie, is there THAT much difference? I wont be going any further than 1 hour to the water, average speed around 50.

 

[RobG]

Re: tire question

It seems like the sidewall on the standard car tires are not made to withstand the bounce and pressure a trailer creates and you risk getting a blow out sooner.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: tire question

155 80x13 tires are pretty small tires for a boat that size. Check the sidewall for their maximum capacity. If they are marked with the ST (Special Trailer) designator before the 155 they are trailer tires. Yes -- there is a difference. It doesn't matter how far you trailer, an overloaded or improper tire does not pick a certain distance or speed to come apart. Trailer tires have nearly double the maximum inflation pressure than passenger car tires so as was mentioned, they flex much less, track better, and build less heat.

 

[whogotz]

Re: tire question

Unfortunately the previous owner seems to have liked to cut corners. I will buy trailer tires. Should I stick with the same size? 155-80-13? Walmart had 175-80-13s but I am calling around to tire dealers also, I have read good things about Denman tires.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: tire question

You first need to determine what size "should" be on the trailer to carry the load. If youj don't know how much the boat weighs you need to find out. Guessing won't cut it because most people guess light -- forgetting about fuel, gear, and even the motor. 175-80-13 is not a radial tire. The 80R designates radial. If you have a Farm store in the area check there. They often carry trailer parts/wheel/tires etc. There is so little difference in the pricing between tire sizes its really silly to try and get by with a tire rated too close to the maximum limit.

 

[BillP]

Re: tire question

championtrailers.com/tire_art.html<br /><br />edit: Referrals are fine, Bill, but not direct links to commercial operations.

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: tire question

i have towed 3700 pd racecar single axle with car tires. the last set lasted 3 yrs never had a blowout.we towed that thig all over the place.i would say that you might not need trailer tires.but thats just my opinion.

 

[jlinder]

Re: tire question

Can you give us details? <br />What size boat? <br />What model? <br />How much do you think it weighs? <br />Is this an estimate or did you get it weighted? <br />If an estimate, how did you arrive at it?<br />What make, model, year trailer?<br /><br />All this will get you better answers.<br /><br />Regarding tires, trailer tires will probably sway less and have better handling. Go cheap, or cheat with passenger tires and you will probably be OK - unless you need to stop suddenly, or swerve, or hit a pothole, etc.<br /><br />Ask yourself - is the price worth the risk? You need to decide.

 

[BillP]

Re: tire question

Here's my 02 on car tires. I used to use them without issues but not any longer. I would worry about liability if using car tires and you had a "trailer" accident. Any decent lawyer is going to check your trailer for safety standards. He is going to look hard at nailing you to the wall for neglence with any and all real or made up reasons. Reasonable standards are trailer tires on trailers, not car tires.

 

[JB]

Re: tire question

Using car tires on a trailer is skating on very thin ice, particularly if they are even in the ballpark of the weight.<br /><br />Some people get away with it, but many do not.<br /><br />Been there, done that and spent the time on the side of the Interstate at night. Sometimes the most expensive lessons are those best learned.<br /><br />Go with the highest weight rated 13" ST tire that will fit under the fenders.

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: tire question

the tire size 175 etc. depends on the width of the wheel, too wide or too narrow is as bad as the car tires