Trailer Tires quality.

[agallant80]

To my surprise my trailer did not come with the highest quality tires(shocker). I need to replace 3 of the 4 tires on my trailer so I am going to just go ahead and replace them all. What is the best trailer tire I can get? My trailer takes St 225/75D 15 LRD 6H

For the record I am very annoyed that I have to replace the tires on a new trailer. The thing is not even a year old yet.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

What is the date code on the tires. What happened to them?

I like the TowMaster radials if you can find them. Problem is the latest ones are made in China so the jury is out on them so far. I am going to keep the weight off them this year to help them out.

You currently have D rated tires. For a little more weight margin, you can bump up to E next time.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

I have had good luck with Goodyear trailer tires.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

Michelin doesn't make boat trailer tires and I believe most tires available are fair to mediocre quality....My last set was made by Carlisle and they're O.K., at best. All you can do is buy the tires, check the date of manufacture on the sidewall, check the ties often, keep them pumped up to recommended pressure, plan on replacing them every 3 or 4 years regardless of tread wear. If you don't trailer your boat often it may help to set your boat/trailer up on blocks to try and prevent flat spots and tread separation. Of course if you only trailer a few miles and slow speed to your ramp then the tires are no big deal, but we tow 500 miles on I-95 at 75 MPH and a tire failure is not fun on the interstate!...

 

[agallant80]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

No idea. I went down to the boat yesterday to clean it and I noticed one was flat and two has the tread on the corner seperating. Perhaps I did not check tire pressure as often as I should have, though I did check it almost every trip. Could be my fault. I know after I replace them I will be checking the pressure before every trip.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

My last set were Goodyear Marathon trailer tires. The sidewall's were starting to crack on them and because they came on the trailer I have no idea how old they were. I wish I knew why tires used to lase 10 years without cracking and now it seems like 5 years is a dream.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

I had a trailer tire separate a few 100 miles after I hit a huge pot hole. Also, If you have ever hit the side of the tires on a curb(same as a car), that is death to them too.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

I've had many different sets and types of trailer tires, both car, boat and utility. Use to use nothing but radials and some of the types mentioned above. Most all the tires over long periods came down with the same issue and most caused from sitting. Good tread but sidewalls showing problems. I started going back to bias ply tires several years ago on most all my trailers. Only trailers which still have radials are the very light ones (seadoo and utility) because the tires have not shown any signs of needing to be replaced. Yes, they give me a bit of a thump, thump when there cold but after many years still no signs or issue as yet.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

Do you think it could have something to do with them being D rated? Its what came with the trailer. If I bought E rated would that help them last longer?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

Look at the weight rating. I think you actually have margin now but not positive of the total weight of your boat.

You have regular axles right? If you had torsion axles and didn't have your trailer perfectly level, you could have more force on one tire than the other. Main reason I would never have a torsion axle trailer.

If you think you were under inflated at all, that is probably your main problem.

What is the date code on the side of your tires?

 

[agallant80]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

I don't know the date code. I would have to go look the next time I am down there. I don't have tortion axels I have this camber thing between the two axels that seams to balance the weight out. I am concerned about the excessave ware on the outside of the rear tires. Is there a way to adjust camber on a trailer axle?

I am starting to think this one may be a bit out of my league and considering I don't have a machine to remove and put the tires on the rim I am thinking of bring it to one of the many loal RV places and telling them to "fix it what ever it is" They would know way more about this stuff then me.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

I am concerned about the excessave ware on the outside of the rear tires. Is there a way to adjust camber on a trailer axle?

I am starting to think this one may be a bit out of my league and considering I don't have a machine to remove and put the tires on the rim I am thinking of bring it to one of the many loal RV places and telling them to "fix it what ever it is" They would know way more about this stuff then me.

With the tires wearing on the outside edge this would be toe-in, and it is set by the axle and not adjustable. Check the bolts, equalizers and pivot points on the trailer. Maybe ask the place where you bought the boat for suggestions and if there is a warranty or at least anything they could do to help.

If the axle is bent and with the proper equipment it could be straightened. A new axle could run you around 200 unless you picked it up local and didn't pay for shipping.

Edit: Local truck and auto shops may have the ability to set the axle straight. If it can do big trucks they have the tools to do about anything

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

do you do a lot of tight turns? I normally cord out a set of tires on my tandem axle trailer because one axle is constantly scrubbing in tight turns, especially backing into my driveway.

todays tires from china have a lot of fillers because virgin natural rubber is getting harder to come by. in a prior life, we would reject about a quarter the tires we received back to carlisle or kenda because they did not hold air on the trip over from china in the iso containers

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

I cover my tires all summer when it's parked with the canvas covers to keep the sun off of it unless I am pulling it. In the winter it is inside on jack stands. So far, So good.

LK

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

In the winter it is inside on jack stands. So far, So good.

That is what I am doing from now on. I believe my tread separation failures occurred in the exact spot where the tire sat all winter.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

To my surprise my trailer did not come with the highest quality tires(shocker). I need to replace 3 of the 4 tires on my trailer so I am going to just go ahead and replace them all. What is the best trailer tire I can get? My trailer takes St 225/75D 15 LRD 6H

For the record I am very annoyed that I have to replace the tires on a new trailer. The thing is not even a year old yet.

I'm wondering how much you have trailered this year (in terms of miles, approx.) I guess you could wear out a set of tires, if you trailer often and for long distances. As mentioned, if the tires are not inflated properly, then they will wear out pretty quickly.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

The whole trick to trailer tires is to replace them Before the treads separate and they blow out on the highway......same trick with water pump impellers and several other items....roll the dice and take your chances!!.....

 

[alldodge]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

Gee-wiz this isn't even a full year and the tires are shot

 

[agallant80]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

Gee-wiz this isn't even a full year and the tires are shot

Dont ever buy a venture trailer. The thimg is total junk. I wish I put more thought in to the trailer before I bought it. I bought the trailer new in February2013 and so far

Broken wheel stud resulting in a trashed rim and tire
Three tires are bad due to what I am thinking is bad alignment. I will take it in and have a trailer pro tell me why
Tail light fell off going to replace with LED trailer lights
The wheel studs on all of the tires are rusted up good . Im assuming I will be replacing the hubs with higher quality

From what I can tell venture welds the frames togeather in the USA then bolts on every northern tool bargain bucket Chinese trailer part.

I miss my Wesco.......

 

[oldandintheway]

Re: Trailer Tires quality.

I'm to the point that I question the logic of buying top quality tires for a boat trailer. And also buying "ST" tires.
Seems to me that boat trailer tires rot long before they wear out. They also suffer from sun, being parked in dirt/mud as well the lack of suspension like a car for example. Also, the "ST" tires are (much) more expensive.
I good friend with lots of trailering experience suggested just buying decent radial tires that are rated for the given load and plan to replace them every two years.
I'm sure this will meet with disagreement on this board, but that's where I am.
From my reading I found that there are a lot of horror stories about the Carlisle tire and other love them.
I also found mostly positive comments on the GY Marathon tires.
Just my two cents.