Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

[SeaKaye12]

So sorry to start yet another trailer tire thread...<br /><br />I just became a boat owner again after a 25 year absence. The free boat (trailer) that I just got needs tires badly. I was planning on picking up a couple of used tires that had perhaps 1/3 of their tread left. I only plan to trailer my boat to local lakes...25 miles or so away. I felt that if I got a couple of Michelin Radials (my tire size is 14" f78's...) I would be safe and the remaining tread would last me many years.<br /><br />Then I began reading here. <br /><br />Until I read here, I never even realized that there were "trailer tires"...and if I encountered any; I would have assumed that they were; if anything...inferior to a good quality auto tire. It would seem that a trailer tire is not stressed anywhere as much as a car's tire which has to deal with stresses from steering, braking and acceleration.<br /><br />So, what's the true story....Is the $129.00 tire and wheel combo sold at the boaters world store really better than a $200.00 Michelin? For a light weight boat like mine? Convince me with facts.<br /><br />Thanks, Chuck

 

[JB]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

Running auto tires is no problem, Chuck. <br /><br />It is changing those suckers on the roadside when you should be fishing that is the problem. That assumes, of course, that the tire failure did not cause an "accident".<br /><br />Trailer tires endure very different, not necessarily worse, stresses. They are designed to deal with those stresses.<br /><br />FACT: Tire and trailer manufacturers all tell you to use ST tires on your trailer.<br /><br />That is all the facts you should nee.

 

[spartanpele]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

Everything I've read in books and forums says that using car tires on your trailer are a bad idea. The trailer tires usually have 40-50psi compared to cars 28-32. <br /><br />I recently purchased a new 12inch rim (4-spoke) and tire for around $45.00 at a local Farm&Fleet, Fleet-Farm store. If your trailer tire size is similiar, for under $150 you could have brand new tires and rims, including your spare.<br /><br />Best of luck...

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

You don't need a $129 tire/wheel combo, you just need a tire, right? Assuming your wheels are OK? Just buy the tire and have them mounted on your old wheels, the price goes down from $129ish to $79ish (or less) for a brand new tire without a wheel. Get out of the boat store and into a tire store and get better advice and prices from them. How big/heavy is your boat?

 

[rwidman]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

A trailer or RV store is a good place for trailer tires. Many tire stores do not carry the "ST" trailer tires and will try to convince you that car or light truck tires are fine. It's not their boat, it's your boat. Internet vendors sell trailer tires and tire/wheel combinations.<br /><br />BTW: "Carlisle" brand trailer tires have a pretty bad reputation, I would stay away from them. "Loadstar" brand tires have worked well for me and I have a large boat and have towed several thousand miles with them.

 

[John McFarlane]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

Chuck, you ask an interesting question, far more interesting than many may think.<br />I too have debated the 'only a trailer tyre on a trailer' scenario long and hard. Here in Australia, many trailer manufacturers sell their trailers with car tryes fitted. These are reputable trailer manufacturers who have had to pass the relevant inspections and comply with appropriate local and national legislation. <br />Our RTA (Roads and Traffic Authority) can offer no guidelines beyond the tyre meeting the usual requirments for adequate tread, no damage, and of course, meeting the load requirements of the vehicle the tyres are fitted to and the load the trailer is designed for.<br />In fact the advice I received from a local (and national) tyre distributor here in Canberra when looking around for new tyres for both a boat and a garden trailer was to fit any old new radial to the garden trailer, (which is rated at 800kg), and similiar tyre, albiet steel belted to the boat trailer (15ft fibreglass runabout with 70hp Evinrude, 2.5hp Yamaha, 60 litres petrol, etc).<br />Trailer tyres were only recommended when the trailer and/or tyre was to be run at the top of it's loading capacity consistently, or rough roads/offroad were the usual.<br /><br />So guess what? I took their suggestion. Why? Because it was the same advice I received from 2 other tyre distributors as well. Maybe they make more money on ordinary tyres than on trailer tyres. Who knows? But I asked them the same questions you have asked here.

 

[Dyna]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

I dont see where it would make any difference to run car tires on a trailer. They can support the weight & demands of a 3500 lb car they can certainly handle a boat trailer. Where are the facts supporting the trailer tires only?<br /><br />As to the Carlisle tires, I have used them on many trailers over the years for hauling my motorcycles & have never had any issues. A couple people have problems with them..well maybe they were over loaded or old or whatever? Others have had blowouts on their vehicles with Bridgestones, Firestones, etc. Does this mean all the tires are bad?

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

Direct quote from Champion Trailer Supply website:<br /><br />"Trailer Tire requirements differ greatly from automotive tires. Automotive tires must maintain traction during all driving conditions: pulling, stopping, turning, or swerving. Because of this they must have more flexible sidewalls to maintain tread to road contact. Since trailers have no driving torque applied to their axles, the only time trailer tires must have traction is during the application of trailer brakes. <br />Trailers with heavy loads, high vertical sideloads (like camper trailers), or trailers with inadequate tongue weight can be affected by trailer sway problems. Automotive bias or radial tires with their more flexible sidewalls can accentuate trailer sway problems, whereas the stiffer sidewalls of the ST (special trailer) bias ply tires help to control and reduce sway problems. For this reason it is not recommended that (P) Passenger or (LT) Light Truck tires be used on trailers. Best trailer control will be achieved with (ST) Special Trailer tires." <br /><br />I'll add, from my own quick survey of tires on my property today...my ST trailer tires that are sized 205/75/15 have a load rating stamped on the side of them of max 1,860 lbs at 50 max psi. My Chevy Malibu company car has 215/75/15 passenger car tires with a load rating stamped on the side of 1,485 lbs at 44 max psi. This would seem to indicate that passenger car tires are not rated to carry nearly as much weight as a trailer tire. So in my particular case, if I were to put a pair of my Malibu tires on my boat trailer, I'd be cutting the load capacity of my boat trailer by nearly 800 lbs. Most boat trailers sold with new boat packages are just BARLELY big enough to carry the loads they're given...and this, in my opinion, is the biggest reason we see such a large percentage of tire failures on boat trailers...in the interest of saving a few hundred dollars at the time of sale, most of them are a bit too small to carry the load they're being asked to carry. Then everyone loads them up with coolers, bikes, and luggage, pushing them further over the limits, and and SURPRISE...tires go POP. So I'd personally want every pound of load capacity on my tires I can possibly get. Can't get that with a car tire.<br /><br />Not sure if this satisfies your quest for "facts",...but I feel it clearly explains the normal arguments you hear against the use of car tires on a trailer.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

One of the biggest killers of tyres is ozone degradation which will appear as cracks in the sidewall. Tyres that are often stationary (boats, yard trailer etc) suffer from this more than car tyres because a car tyre is used everyday and the rotation and heat help to bring the protective chemicals to the surface and therfore protect the tyre from degradation (sounds like a myth, but it's not!).<br /><br />Boat trailer tyres have stiffer sidewalls and increased protection against ozone degradation. So do commercial tyres (light truck). <br /><br />You can use car tyres if they are suitably rated for the weight of the boat/trailer and your maintenance regime is adequate - check for cracks regularly.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[scubatrooper]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

From trailertires.com:<br /><br />WHY SPECIAL TRAILER 'ST' TIRES? <br /><br />Eastern Marine carries a full line of nylon bias ply trailer tires. These 'Special Trailer' (ST) tires have been constructed for better high speed durability and bruise resistance under heavy loads. Trailer tire construction varies substantially from automotive tires, therefore it is essential to choose the correct tire for your towing application. In general, trailer tires have the same load range (or ply) from bead to bead and are bias ply construction. This allows for a stiffer side wall which provides safer towing by helping to reduce trailer sway problems. The use of 'Passenger Car' (P) or 'Light Truck (LT) tires a on a trailer is not recommended because their construction, usually radial or bias belted, allows for more flexible side walls. This could lead to increased trailer sway and loss of control.<br /><br />Tire 'inflation pressure' is also an important factor in proper handling as well as tire life. Maximum inflation pressure is indicated on the tire side wall and should always be checked when the tire is cold before operation.<br /><br />Finally, an important safety procedure is to apply and maintain proper 'lug torque' on trailer rims. Too little torque may cause the wheel to wobble or fall off. Wheel nuts/bolts should be torqued after each wheel removal, retorque after 50 miles and frequently thereafter. Follow the manufacturers recommended torque pattern.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Steve

 

[dakotashooter2]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

Right ,wrong or in between here is my experience. Over the years I have run both types and had mores problems with trailer tires. On the occasions I switched to automotive tires I have yet to have a problem. In my experience trailer tires have more occurances of low pressure/failure to hold air, more blowouts, more wear and less life, giving similar conditions and care. The storage facility I use has several trailers of various types nearly all with ST tires of various ages. Inevetably every spring my boat with its automotive tires is the ony one that has never had at least one flat tire when I went to retrieve it. Based on what I have experienced I will utilized auto tires till the pendulum swings the other way.

 

[JB]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

Your experience is contrary to professional advice, shooter. My experience has been that they know whereof they speak.

 

[BrettNC]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

A lot of it has to do with the weight the tires will carry. If it is a single axle trailer, then you may have a lot of weight spread across only two tires. If it is a boat over 2,500 lbs. then go with the trailer tire, especially if it is a single axle trailer. Anything under 2,000 lbs. really doesn't matter, just as long as the tire is rated to carry the weight applied to it.<br /><br />Again, just make sure that the weight applied to the tire is correct for that tire.

 

[BrettNC]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

You're right JB, but professional advice and sales talk gets blurred sometimes.

 

[tommays]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

from a Liability standpoint alone you put your self in a VERY BAD PLACE<br /><br />even if what might happen is not your fault<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[BrettNC]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

One more thing. If your trailer requires a larger tire, then how much will the price difference be between radials and trailer rated tires of the same size? Probably not a whole lot. In that case I would go with the trailer tire.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

Just thought I'd add my experience in here as well. I just replaced the tires on my boat trailer and ended up getting LT tires. Price different here was about $200 cdn between the LT tire and ST tires. LT tires were on the trailer before and lasted quite a while. The only thing that makes me feel safe with this setup is the fact that the wheels are 15" wheels (tire load is 1800lbs/tire) and the boat, trailer, max load of my boat, etc will never be above 2500lbs (just weighed it the other day). If I had the money for it or the wheels were ANY smaller ST tires would have went on.<br /><br />I don't know why but whoever built the trailer for my boat really outdid themselves in a lot of places and I'm glad the wheels were one of them.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

We went out looking at new horse trailers the other day and found that most of them are specing passenger tires for their trailers. I find that kind of odd since the trailer tire salesmen always preach trailer tire use only. I’ve also had several knowledge tire guys tell me as long as the tire meets spec it will work so who’s right. <br /><br />You don’t need ST rated tires to pass State inspection and the NTSB doesn’t mandate their use so what gives? If it was such a hazardous endeavor to use anything other than ST rated tires I would have thought there would be regulations mandating their use.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

Good thread. Now I'm really confused because my preferred brand (Michelin) doesn't even list trailer tyres on their website here in Aus. I have a single axle trailer that hits the 2500lb 'limit' mentioned above and I'm concerned the 165R13C tyres which are now two years old and have LT (light truck) and 1477lbs at 65psi stamped on them - they may let me down if I believe what the US sites say. They were new and came with the trailer which was also bought new. I only travel a few minutes to my local ramp but we have upped-sticks and travelled over 400kms in the past and hopefully will get time to bother Dunaruna and his mates on Lake Eildon after Christmas. The tyres look perfect, there's negligible wear and no cracking whatsoever in the sidewalls. Should I too be concerned as SK12 is obviously bothered by the tyre issue?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Would it be that horrible to run auto tires on trailer?

No, don't be concerned. In Aus, we don't get the 'trailer' tyre designation. They are either LT (light truck) or C (commercial). All that means is they have a minimum 6 ply tread and 4 ply sidewalls. Your tyres are good.<br /><br />Your tyres are rated at 1477Lbs EACH, muliply that by two, they are good for 2954Lbs.<br /><br />You are welcome down south anytime - bring beer.<br /><br />Aldo