What Tires To Run?

[ABit]

Hey guys/gals,

So I am about to do my annual maintenance on the Mercury 200. I want to go ahead and get new tires while I am spending the money. This will be my first time buying tires on a tandem trailer for this Nitro Z8. Any suggestions on which tires to go with? Any advice would be appreciated.

[Hi Salenity]

Not Goodyear! I went with Maxxis.

[Glenn]

Go with trailer tires. 

 

No, I'm not trying to be funny.  Some folks try to use light truck tires or even car tires.  Not a good idea.  I could write a paragraph why, but it's obvious a light truck tire is for...light trucks; and a trailer tire is for....trailers.  If a tire isn't designed for the job, don't use it.

[BKeith]

Actually, some states have passed laws making it illegal for a tire shop to mount a non trailer tire on a trailer wheel.  I know you can just take the wheel in, says it's off you Ford Falcon or something and they will mount it, but if they know it's for a trailer, it has to be a trailer tire.

 

I too have given up on Goodyear, but I don't know of a brand I would recommend.  I've just bought two, don't even know the brand, and don't know anything about them to recommend them.

[slonezp]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/165527-trailer-tires/

[rboat]

I use regular car radial tires and do not see any problems at all. I used to use trailer tires but they always wore out quickly. The radials last much longer and roll easier so you get better mileage. Some say that a regular car radial will make the trailer sway back and forth or get squirrely on the highway, but I have never had that problem. My trailer is not a tandem, so i do not know if that makes a difference. I know these work and have saved me a good chunk of cash.

[A-Jay]

I use regular car radial tires and do not see any problems at all. I used to use trailer tires but they always wore out quickly. The radials last much longer and roll easier so you get better mileage. Some say that a regular car radial will make the trailer sway back and forth or get squirrely on the highway, but I have never had that problem. My trailer is not a tandem, so i do not know if that makes a difference. I know these work and have saved me a good chunk of cash.

 

Glad to hear that works for you.

 

I would not do it nor recommend it.

 

Here's why ~

 

http://www.boatus.com/magazine/trailering/archives/what-to-know-about-trailer-tires.asp

 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=219

 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=309

 

A-Jay

[Glenn]

I would never, ever, ever use anything but trailer tires on my boat.  You're just asking for it otherwise.  It's like riding without a seatbelt.  It only takes once for a castrophe to happen.  And who knows how many people you'll take out in the process - and how many lawsuits they'll win because you're trailer wasn't properly equipped. 

 

When that happens, tell me again how much you saved.

[Bass Turd]

Also be aware there are different speed and weight ratings for different tires. You might not want to tow a $50,000 rig at 80 mph on tires rated not to exceed 55. 

[K_Mac]

After doing the research I would not use standard radials on my trailer, and it hauls an aluminum boat. A standard tire is simply not made to stand the stress put on a trailer. Bass Turd makes a good point. Weight and speed must be considered when choosing. Having had tire and bearing failures over the years, I can say with confidence trailer tires are not a place to cut corners.

[BaitMonkey1984]

I would never, ever, ever use anything but trailer tires on my boat.  You're just asking for it otherwise.  It's like riding without a seatbelt.  It only takes once for a castrophe to happen.  And who knows how many people you'll take out in the process - and how many lawsuits they'll win because you're trailer wasn't properly equipped. 

 

When that happens, tell me again how much you saved.

Agree 100%. To the OP, if you get Glenn to respond to your post 2X he is fired up and feel strong about this issue. Everyone here has lots of experience, but c'mon GLENN is telling you don't do it. So simply put, don't do it.

[rboat]

No need to get hostile, I was simply stating what works for me. The tires I put on are rated for the weight of the boat and speed I drive. My trailer is more stable and tracks better than before. If you think trailer tires are the only way to go, great, just make sure you get quality. The trailer tires I had before always wore out quickly and would get cracks in the sidewalls after one season. Driving with those was dangerous. I was looking for a better alternative that would last. This tire was recommended by a national tire company and had the specs for my single axle trailer. The tire sales person told me, a high percentage of trailer tires are being brought in from China and are poor quality and simply do not hold up under use. Those are much more dangerous than anything else. The tires I have now are on season 3 and still look new. My rig now moves on the road better and safer than before. Please don't bash people for trying something that works for them. I have worked in the safety industry before and would never endanger myself, family, or anyone else. I am just like anyone else, I just want to get out, catch a few fish, and get back home to my family safely. I have seen many work trailers with different types of tires on them and they get used daily. I am not trying to be difficult. I simply believe that saying there is only one way to do something is a bit close minded. if that were true, than why do we have so many different lures?   

[diesel51]

Also be aware there are different speed and weight ratings for different tires. You might not want to tow a $50,000 rig at 80 mph on tires rated not to exceed 55.

Where are you finding trailer size tires that aren't rated to go over 55mph?

[Hi Salenity]

Where are you finding trailer size tires that aren't rated to go over 55mph?

I think the Goodyears I had were rated at 65

It really is something that needs to be looked at when buying trailer tires.

[Cmiller]

I have had good luck with the goodyears, but it doesn't get as hot in up here as it does in the south. 

[WIGuide]

No need to get hostile, I was simply stating what works for me. The tires I put on are rated for the weight of the boat and speed I drive. My trailer is more stable and tracks better than before. If you think trailer tires are the only way to go, great, just make sure you get quality. The trailer tires I had before always wore out quickly and would get cracks in the sidewalls after one season. Driving with those was dangerous. I was looking for a better alternative that would last. This tire was recommended by a national tire company and had the specs for my single axle trailer. The tire sales person told me, a high percentage of trailer tires are being brought in from China and are poor quality and simply do not hold up under use. Those are much more dangerous than anything else. The tires I have now are on season 3 and still look new. My rig now moves on the road better and safer than before. Please don't bash people for trying something that works for them. I have worked in the safety industry before and would never endanger myself, family, or anyone else. I am just like anyone else, I just want to get out, catch a few fish, and get back home to my family safely. I have seen many work trailers with different types of tires on them and they get used daily. I am not trying to be difficult. I simply believe that saying there is only one way to do something is a bit close minded. if that were true, than why do we have so many different lures?   

You can screw in a screw with a pair of vise grips too but that's really not the way you should do it. Sure your trailer rides better with car tires, but that's because their radial tires. Radial trailer tires would do the same thing and last as long as your car tires, and would be made for that application. I just hope when your tire blows nobody is next to you on the road because your safety isn't the only one in your hands. 

[ABit]

So with all of that being said.  I have had three or four sources suggest Maxxis now.  I suppose I will taking a look into those.  I appreciate all the feedback!

[Drew03cmc]

As a tire technician training to transfer to the truck shop for Waste Management's single largest fleet, I can say that the trailer tires are designed for trailer use. If you'll post your sizes, I can give recommendations based upon my decade of experience in both retail and fleet shops. I would assume they are either ST205/75R14 or 15, but could be as large as an ST225/75R15 or as small as an ST175/80R13. My recommendations would be to get radials, don't screw with bias tires at all. As far as brands I have extensive experience with, Towmax is affordable, decently durable and is a Power King, which is made by a subsidiary of Cooper. Goodyear Marathon,  well, it's a Goodyear and I'm not a fan. Bear in mind that many ST tires are speed rated for 65mph and exceeding this may speed up wear. Also, have them balanced, road force or dynamic, not static. That will help as well.