upgrade from ST175/80R13 tires

[Marc H]

It's time to get new trailer tires and if possible would like to upgrade in size to provide a little piece of mind in case I am approaching max load. 

I have a 2009 tracker 175txw with stock trailer am assuming tracker went with the cheapest tire size they could get away with. Do I have to order the exact same specs as my current tires or can I go up in size?

[A-Jay]

You could consider going up in load rating while maintaining the size.

Your stock tire carries a C load rating - which has a load rating of 1,360 lbs at 50 psi.

This D rate tire is the same size but rated at 1,610 lbs at 65 psi. 

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Power+King&tireModel=Towmax+Vanguard&partnum=78NR3TMVG&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

A-Jay

[gim]

25 minutes ago, Marc H said:

Do I have to order the exact same specs as my current tires or can I go up in size?

 

I wouldn't advise going up in size.  The trailer is designed to be used with a specific size tire.  I have that exact same size tire you are talking about on my boat trailer (Ranger RT178) and I know for a fact that a bigger tire wouldn't even fit under the fender.  I just replaced my tires in early June.

 

Should you desire to, go up in load rating as @A-Jay indicated.

[Marc H]

Thanks for the information guys. Couple more questions:

1. Did you take them to a ship to get them mounted or did you mount them yourself?

2. Do you guys have your tires balanced? I've heard that it's not necessary with trailer tires.

[gim]

33 minutes ago, Marc H said:

Thanks for the information guys. Couple more questions:

1. Did you take them to a ship to get them mounted or did you mount them yourself?

2. Do you guys have your tires balanced? I've heard that it's not necessary with trailer tires.

 

This is what I did, in this order:

1 Bought replacement tires (2).  I bought Road Runners in that size with Load Rating C.

2 Made an appt at the local tire shop (Tires Plus)

 

On the day of my appointment:

3 Removed one of the old tires and put the spare on that side

4 Put the jack under the other side and took the old tire off

5 Left the jack under that side while I took the two old tires/rims to Tires Plus

6 They removed the rims off my old tires, mounted the rims on my new tires, and balanced them

7 Went back home and put one of the new balanced tires w/ rim on the side where the jack was

8 Put the jack on the other side where the spare is, remove the spare, and put the other new tire w/rim on it

9 Put the spare back

 

Initially, I wasn't sure if the new tires needed to be balanced either so I told the tire technician that if they need it to do it.  Turns out he said they needed it, so I had it done.  Tires Plus charged me about 45 bucks to balance and mount the rims on my new tires, and dispose of my old tires.  It took them 30 minutes with an appt set up.

 

If you have concrete blocks, you could use that to keep the boat trailer up instead of putting the spare on and using the jack.  I didn't have any concrete blocks.  What I did worked pretty well and the whole process took me about 2.5 hours the day of my appt at Tires Plus.

 

Some places will do the whole shebang for you and all you have to do is drop off your boat trailer (with the boat on it unless you have a dock to store your boat at).  I decided not to go that route.  The idea of my boat/trailer sitting in a parking lot unattended until the shop decides to change out the tires just didn't set very well with me.

[A-Jay]

26 minutes ago, Marc H said:

Thanks for the information guys. Couple more questions:

1. Did you take them to a ship to get them mounted or did you mount them yourself?

2. Do you guys have your tires balanced? I've heard that it's not necessary with trailer tires.

I do not have the equipment nor the expertise to mount and or  trailer balance tires.

If you do, go for it.

Otherwise, I'm perfectly fine depending on a professional to do both.

Which is what I'd recommend.

I do recognize that some folks feel that trailer tires do not require the same TLC that vehicle tires do.

I don't get that.

Are they some how immune to the same deals are tow vehicle tires ? 

These may be the same folks I see on the side of the road with trailer tire blow outs.

Just Saying.

Either way, I've had my share to trailer tire challenges even with plenty of attention.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/237761-time-for-a-new-set-of-boat-trailer-tires-~/

A-Jay

 

[Deleted account]

2 hours ago, Marc H said:

Thanks for the information guys. Couple more questions:

1. Did you take them to a ship to get them mounted or did you mount them yourself?

2. Do you guys have your tires balanced? I've heard that it's not necessary with trailer tires.

If you take it to the USS San Jacinto in Norfolk, and ask for PSC, I'll pay for the mounting if you send me a picture of his face...