trailer tires vs automobile tires

[manitoba1]

I've got a boat trailer that is in need of new tires with 12 inch rims. Boat and motor combo is in the 1200-1400lb range. The tires I've purchased in the past have worn quickly and are twice as expensive as 12 inch automobile radials which can be purchased from Walmart. Has anyone ever used car radials on there boat trailer? I've heard that trailer tires have much stiffer sidewalls and seem to have higher inflation pressure. Most of the trailer tires seem to be made in taiwan and are crappy. Even new trailer tires have a small amount of tread compared to car tires. Anyone have any comments?

 

[revertmastec]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

Automotive tires just are not made to handle the wieght. The last thing anyone wants is a sidewall blowout at 65mph. Stay with the trailer tires for piece of mind. Just my thoughts

 

[22WRF]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

Car tires have soft sidewalls for "Softer ride"<br />When on a trailer they flex which builds up heat and then blowout.

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

I had poor luck with trailer tires and bought cheap car radials for the boat trailer; the radials were rated well above the weight of the boat/trailer.<br /><br />Those cheap car radials took my trailer over 15,000 miles before I sold the rig, and they're still on it going strong. The cheap car radials wear better and give the boat an easier ride than the regular trailer tires. The only thing that worried me about the cheap car radials was cutting corners while pulling the trailer and having curbs, rocks, etc. threatening the thinner sidewalls.<br /><br />When I replace the tires on my current trailer, it will be with car radials if I can find them at the same or better price than trailer tires.<br /><br />YMMV

 

[marty_scher]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

Go for it!<br /><br />Having the proper tire is all about load ratings and not necessarily about bias verses radial. <br /><br />Bias ply tires are only manufacutured anymore IMO, because they are cheaper to do so.<br /><br />The per-axle weight of many radial-bound vehicles, can be much higher than many boat-axle weights.<br /><br />Radial tires are also on many semi-tractors, as they are both sturdy and improve fuel mileage.<br /><br />Bias ply tires are a thing of the past.

 

[chris in va]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

I was gonna say...on a 1200# rig car tires will work just fine. Even with a 12" rim the rating should be well over 700#, which is what you need.<br /><br />Now on a 3500# setup like mine, that's another story.

 

[dingbat]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

Let me understand this. An automotive tire rated for 1750 lbs. will not carry as much weight as a trailer tire rated at 1750#? <br /><br />It's the flexing of the side walls when making sharp turns that can cause a problem. If stressed hard enough, you may break a cord in the side wall that may lead to a tire failure. With the advent of the new radial designs, this is quickly becoming a non-issue<br />I've been runnng car tires under a 5300# boat for years and have never broke down a sidewall yet.

 

[JerseyJim]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

i dont know about you boys - but I'm not in the habit of taking sharp turns while dragging my boat trailer.<br /><br />perhaps now that I have torsion suspension on my new tandem axle I can run the daytona 500? Anyone try pulling their boat with a top fuel dragster these days?<br /><br />on a lighter trailer i wouldn't hesitate getting the cheaper car tires... If you put it in perspective: a 12" tire was probably meant for lets say an 80s buick regal, weighing in at like 3200lbs... He should be able to handle 1200# on a single axle no problems!<br /><br /> who needs the stiffer sidewalls - i dont make it a habit of trying to run a 300ft skidpad with a boat trailer. that being said i'd only put trailer tires on my tandem rig...

 

[dakotashooter2]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

I have run bias ply auto tires (Sears) on my trailers for years. They wear much better, seem to track better and have a bigger footprint which helps in sand,mud and rough ramps but probably provides a little more drag on the road. I have never had one blow yet.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

Unless you're pulling a really heavy boat, I don't see any problem with using radials as long as they're at least 25% over-rated for the weight they have to carry. I like the bigger footprint in the sand around ramps, too.

 

[Mikevn1500]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

As luck would have it, the rims on my tow vehicle(Mercury Grand marquis) have the same bolt pattern as my trailer. When I bought the car slightly used, the previous owner had 6 full size spare tires on rims in the trunk. I now have a never ending supply of Rims,Tires,Spares.As a bonus 15" rim size makes the hole package handle much better.

 

[BassMan283]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

The stiffer sidewalls are there because trailers don't usually have shock absorbers. This keeps the tread from contacting the rim on hard bumps.

 

[RomanRegal]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

One thing to consider. In some states itis illegal to run automobile tires on a trailer. <br />Roman

 

[Fergulus]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

Ok. here are my two cents.<br /> <br /> The first boat trailer that I ever saw was a homade trailer that my grandfather made. It consisted of the front half of a Ford Model A. He welded the front axles together so that they wouldn't change directions, and either had the original tires, or some other tires that he could buy cheap.<br /> The second trailer that I have an intimate knowledge of is my jon boat trailer. BassMan, i hate to break it to you, but it has leaf springs on both sides of the axle. This trailer was made about five years ago at a trailer dealer.<br /> The final trailer that i have seen up close is the replacement trailer for my grandfather's. It was probably made in the 80's, and it has leaf springs on it as well. That trailer has some old Volkwagon rims and tires on it(which I have to replace to make it run).<br /><br /> It is my opinion that they put bias ply tires on.. actually, i dont know why they put bias-ply tires on trailers.<br /><br />Am I rambling?

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

hate to break it to ya ferg, but bassman said they didnt have shock absorbers (and some dont)<br /><br />Ive run auto tires in a heavy duty trailer for 20 years, and they work fine <br /><br />I do max them on air pressure, 36 pounds, to make sure they dont flex as much<br /><br />other than that, the only reason they still make em is cause its simple technology, and the tire molds dont go bad ... they aint gonna fix what aint brke, FUGGETABOUTIT<br /><br />

 

[bomar76]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

Counter to most advice, I run car radials on my boat trailer(s) and have drug them all over creation down some pretty crappy roads and never had a problem.<br />I buy cheapo car radials that are rated well and above the actual loaded weight of my rigs, and they ride fine and don't overheat.<br />I think the problem some users encounter is the tires they buy are too small for the load.<br />Again, beaucoupe miles and not one blowout, tread seperation, etc with car radials.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: trailer tires vs automobile tires

Whats the big deal, if you dont want to run bias tires and want radials buy radial trailer tires thats what I run. All trailer tires are not bias ply.