Trailer tires

[mikeruta]

Re: Trailer tires

Went the lake today, after I launched my boat and drove my truck to the parking lot I thought to myself on the walk back, what better place to check out what kind of tires people were using than this huge parking lot full of empty boat trailers. Goodyear Marithon.... Goodyear Marithon..... Goodyear Marithon......They must not be all that bad if there on almost every trailer in the parking lot. Lake Pleasent is a 10,000 acre lake with Pro Bass Tournament Anglers, lots of ski/wakeboard people, sailboats and quite a few high end speed boats too. A wide range of boaters but most seem to be trailering with the Goodyear Marithons. It pretty much made up my mind, all those people can't be wrong. I think I will spring for the extended waranty at Discount Tire incase something does happen to them. AZ Mike over and out.....

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailer tires

Chances are those trailers have the tires they do is because the trailer manufacturer put them on and it wasn't the choice of the owner. However, for what it's worth, I run GoodYears and will have nothing else on my vehicles or trailers.

 

[NateCCIE]

Re: Trailer tires

I've got Carlisle tires as the OEM tires on both of my RVs. It seems that one set was bias plys, and they were not very good. (this was on a 7k travel trailer) They wore funny. The other set was radials and have been very good with two years use on them so far. (this is on a 12k travel trailer).<br /><br />I put radial Carlisles on my boat trailer this year and they look pretty good so far.<br /><br />Bias ply is cheaper, so I would expect them to not wear nearly as nice or last as long as radials.<br /><br />-Nate

 

[BillP]

Re: Trailer tires

Anybody know about Trail America (6 ply bias x 50lb inflation) trailer tires? I bought a set last year and they are doing ok but only have a 1000 or so miles. I'm loading them to approx 68% of max so don't expect they are working hard. <br /><br />A few years back I switched from bias to radials on a boat rig that was loaded to near max the tire limit. The rig swayed so bad I took them off and put bias back on. I won't do radials again due to that experience. Bias tires will load to max and only sway a little. Look around, high quality (higher inflation/more plys)bias trailer tires cost more than trailer radials.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Trailer tires

I agree with the negative comments about trailer tires. I can drive on an LT tire on my work truck for 60,000 miles and even when there are steel cords sticking out, they still hold up. I had two, (2!!!) tires break belts on a recent trip to Florida on my boat trailer. They were Titan ST Radials in the 14" size. I tow a 19' boat on a single axle trailer and run 50 psi at all times. The one Titan had maybe 2,000 miles on it and the other had no more than 3,000. I would up stuck in Nowhere, Georgia and bought two "Supertrailer" radials for less than $60 each, installed. We'll see how they do- can't be much worse than these POS Titans. I've known people who have had issues with Goodyears, Carlisles and whatever else is out there. <br /><br /> I don't understand. I don't drive on curbs, hit holes or otherwise abuse my trailer. I don't understand. Semi tires go thousands of miles, don't they?<br /><br /> Plus, a new Marathin 205-75-R14 tire is about $70-$80 anyway. That ain't exactly cheap...<br /><br />UFM82

 

[Quick Cal]

Re: Trailer tires

I don't mean to cut in on this thread,,,but since everyone's watching this, it might be of use. <br /><br />I have 205/75/14's. It's a pretty tight fit, and there's no moving the fender's. I found some 205/75/14's. Does anyone know what the size differance would be. I could probly get buy with taller, but not much wider. Thank's, Cal

 

[mikeruta]

Re: Trailer tires

I priced the Marathons at Discount Tire at $89.00 a piece, not including taxes and all the fees or extended waranty. The guy has a great point about the fact they make all kinds of semi trailer tires that last a long time and are put under a lot more stress but nobody seems to be able to make a decent boat trailer tire. Tire companies can design tires that can withstand the weight of a 747 falling out of the sky at over 200 mph, or even bullet proof car tires. I guess they figure people with boats have more disposable income and they can make more money selling you a cheap tire every couple of years rather than a good one that will last for a long time. They probably have the technoligy to design a tire that would last the life of the boat, but look how much money they would lose doing it.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Trailer tires

Originally posted by Quick Cal:<br /> I don't mean to cut in on this thread,,,but since everyone's watching this, it might be of use. <br /><br />I have 205/75/14's. It's a pretty tight fit, and there's no moving the fender's. I found some 205/75/14's. Does anyone know what the size differance would be. I could probly get buy with taller, but not much wider. Thank's, Cal

Many manufacturers post this information on their websites. Here is one:<br /><br /> http://www.kendausa.com/specialtytires/trailer.cfm?p=06

 

[Quick Cal]

Re: Trailer tires

Thanks for the link Ron. Look's like about 1/2" each way. Thank's again. Cal

 

[OLDSPUD]

Re: Trailer tires

I just got back from a boating trip to Lake Powell, it is about 5 hours from my home. I drive South through central Utah, into Southeastern Utah to get to Bullfrog. <br />The night before I left (last Tuesday) I was reading this thread about Carlisle Tires, and how poor they were. (I have Carlisle's on my new boat) they came with the trailer from Four Winns, So before I left, I checked the air pressure my tires and bought another lug nut key for my wheels. Four Winns puts a lug nut lock on each wheel, and I had lost the key.<br /><br />I had no problem driving down to the lake, but sure enough coming home, TWO (2) BLOWOUTS. I cursed Carlisle like no other and praised I-Boats like no other. Can you Imagine sitting along side the highway in 95 degree temps without a lug nut key?<br />I love you guys.<br />Now I have to replace the Carlisle's, and I don't know what to put on. I'll check out the tires mentioned above.<br />Thanks to you all!!!!!<br /><br />Spud

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Trailer tires

Hey spudbartlet...that suks. Details please. Were they Carlisle radials or bias plys? and what size? Just curious...thanks!

 

[OLDSPUD]

Re: Trailer tires

Sorry, I was watching the game.<br /><br />Details:<br />It was hot, so I knew I needed to slow down, probably still drove to fast, was going about 60 to 65, the boat wasn't loaded to much, but still had a half tank of gas, about 35 to 40 gallons. The boat is heavy, between 6500 to 6800 I guess.<br />After the first blowout, I slowed down to 55 to 60 mph.<br /><br />The POS tires were 4-ply radials, 205 75R14's (2 plys steel, and 2 plys polyester).<br /><br />Any suggestions for replacements?<br /><br />Spud

 

[bigNATE®]

Re: Trailer tires

I know I will get chastized for this comment but I went to walmart and bought a pair of Douglas car tires for my trailer for $70 installed with a warranty... I already have them on my tandem axle landscape trailers and they last 2-3 seasons on those so I figure they will dry rot out in storage and need to be replaced before they fail on aa single axle trailer carrying a 2500# boat

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Trailer tires

If it was 6,800 weight, you must have a dual axle, so you were at 1,700 lbs per tire, pushing the max limit which I presume is 1,760. You have absolutely zero margin for error. Throw a loaded beer cooler in your boat and you're popping tires for sure. Sounds like you may want a tri-axle or at least get an accurate weighing done at a truck scale to make sure the manufacturer didn't undersize your trailer. Also, my understanding is that radials are a bad idea on a tandem...am I wrong on this, anyone? I always understood that bias-plys were much better choices for tandems, but I'm not certain on that.<br /><br />My first step, I think, would be to weigh your rig before making a tire choice, assuming your guestimate is anywhere close to accurate. Good luck!

 

[rwidman]

Re: Trailer tires

My first step, I think, would be to weigh your rig before making a tire choice

Anyone towing a boat should weigh the rig. You need this information for tire selection, tongue weight adjustment, and tow vehicle selection.

 

[T S N]

Re: Trailer tires

How many people have car tires fail on their trailers?.<br />I had a boat trailer with passenger car tires on it for 5 years before I learned about S T tires and had no problems.

 

[BillP]

Re: Trailer tires

Originally posted by T S N:<br /> How many people have car tires fail on their trailers?.<br />I had a boat trailer with passenger car tires on it for 5 years before I learned about S T tires and had no problems.

I've towed boats 1000s of hiway miles with biased car tires on the trailers and had no problems. None of the rigs were maxed out for weight either and that probably helped. I use bias "trailer" tires now but don't think car tires are a big worry like some might think...but a good attorney would make it a big worry in a liability suit if an accident happens.

 

[Homerr]

Re: Trailer tires

NO Carlisles!!!<br /><br /><br />I just bought some GoodYear Marathon radials, 8 ply. They are good for 5080 lbs. per set (ST225/75/15)<br /><br />I also just got some RV tire protectors as well. Don't let the sun ruin your tires. It will do it fast if your boat sits in the direct sunlight.<br /><br />H.

 

[OLDSPUD]

Re: Trailer tires

I am trying to find the 8 ply in the 14 inch. Best I can find are the goodyear and cooper in a 6 ply. I'll keep looking. <br />Thanks Homerr<br /><br />Spud

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Trailer tires

Originally posted by Bob_VT:<br /> New thing around here is filling the tires with nitrogen.<br /><br />Do a search for Nitrogen filled tires on google. They heat up less, disperse heat better too and maintain better pressure.<br /><br />This might be good for tailer tires too.<br /><br />Bob

All tires are filled with about 80% nitrogen. That 20% of oxygen really doesn't make a difference unless you're driving a nascar. It's a marketing gimmick. It doesn't have any effect on the way your tire heats up, it just expands less.