Vintage Tire Issues

[mtboatin]

So first endeavor on bring back my new to me 1958 Crestliner Vagabond and Gator tandem trailer has been to source tires for my tandem Gator trailer. A word of WARNING to those thinking about buying a vintage boat trailer! Who would have thought it would be so difficult? I would also welcome any input from those that have already done this research and purchase.

Sticker on trailer shows largest optional tire of the time recommended as a 6.00-12 6ply. My trailer has 6.25-12 tires on it. I wouldn't want to go any larger. Even these may rub slightly in extreme articulation circumstances but I have no proof of this and as old as they are they must have worked.

After calling Miller Tire in Ohio, Coker Tire, combed the internet, and calling my local shops, it looks like a 145r12 10ply may be my only option. Not terrible at $60 a tire. Will be slightly shorter by about 1.5" compared to the 6.25 tire on there now according to internet. This well may be closer to 6.00 tire listed on the sticker.

For those interested, they are still offering bias ply tires but I'm not finding it in these sizes and would rather have the radials at this point. Oh, and forget about white walls..........

Not looking forward to sourcing hydraulic brake parts for this old girl. Any info on the brake parts and wheel bearings (I hear they may be odd as well) would be appreciated.

 

[matt167]

Ditto on the trailer. My boat came on a rickity old Holesclaw trailer that I figured I could fix up. Once I totalled up the parts cost and straightining the bent tongue, I was at a marine dealer snagging a brand new Venture trailer for about $500 under MSRP. This was late march 2020 so I was pretty lucky.
IIRC 6.00x12 converts to 145R12 or 145/80R12... If you want a cheaper tire since you have a very light boat you could use a 145/80R12 passanger car tire, which was common 25 years ago due to the Geo Metro but a few in that size still exist.

However, your size list includes 5.30x12 which you can get on a 4 bolt rim off the shelf almost anywhere, even your nearest blue superstore

 

[mtboatin]

Thanks for the info. I believe the 5.30-12 is 21.9". The 6.00-12 is 22". 145r12 is 21.3" I think I may be ahead of the game to go with a radial over a bias ply even though it's not quite as tall.

The factory info in the picture is confusing. My trailer is stamped as a 552 showing max weight 2600 lbs. The brochure shows the 552 max weight rated a 1900 lbs. with 4.80-12 tires (which is 20.5"). It also show the 556 is the only trailer long enough for a 22' boat. My boat is 22'.

Looks like bare boat weighs around 1300 lbs. With all the adds, motors, fuel, gear, etc. I'd bet she'll be close to 2500-3000 lbs. Outboards and fuel alone are around 700 lbs. Still probably 500-1000 lbs. more weight then a small car.

I am leaning toward the 145r12 because I also think the 10 ply may help make the tire a little stiffer when turning.

 

[matt167]

145R12 is right about 22" almost on the dot when inflated..

I did just check the sectional width of the 145R12 Carlisle Radial Trail RH LRE, the tire I would probably buy, and it is listed as 6.0", so it really does convert to 6.00-12. They rate 1,500 lbs each so that gives you plenty of headroom.


I forgot to mention that I bought my new trailer for close to what it was going to cost to to rebuild the old one and I had not even considered paint costs. But being an old coil sprung Holesclaw, some of those parts are specialized and spendy

 

[bruceb58]

I forgot to mention that I bought my new trailer for close to what it was going to cost to to rebuild the old one and I had not even considered paint costs. But being an old coil sprung Holesclaw, some of those parts are specialized and spendy

I agree...I would buy a new trailer unless the old trailer adds to the total package of being a vintage trailer with the vintage boat.

 

[mtboatin]

I do like the vintage package and don't usually mind a challenge if it's not too extreme or overly expensive.

This trailer seems pretty sound no damage or rust other than surface here and there. All the optional tilt and bunk drop work other than a little stiff from lack of use. Has old style hitch and jack ( steel wheel) and spare with carrier.

I would redo the bunks which should be simple on this one. Some of rollers should be replaced. Tires, bearings/ seals, and make sure brakes function which I think I felt a little on it's trip home. It was painted blue to match the boat a long time ago. If I end up keeping her she'll stay blue. Not a fan of the original color especially a trailer of this size.

 

[mtboatin]

145R12 is right about 22" almost on the dot when inflated..

I did just check the sectional width of the 145R12 Carlisle Radial Trail RH LRE, the tire I would probably buy, and it is listed as 6.0", so it really does convert to 6.00-12. They rate 1,500 lbs each so that gives you plenty of headroom.


I forgot to mention that I bought my new trailer for close to what it was going to cost to to rebuild the old one and I had not even considered paint costs. But being an old coil sprung Holesclaw, some of those parts are specialized and spendy

The 6.25-12 on the trailer now are roughly 23 tall and the tread is 4 wide.

 

[matt167]

The 6.25-12 on the trailer now are roughly 23 tall and the tread is 4 wide.

Right, and the metric equal would be 155/80R12 and you won't find that in a trailer tire