Trailer Tire Recommendations

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Had a tire blowout and are shopping news ones. What do you all like?

I am kind of leaning towards these just because of convenience. Anyone have anything to say about these.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=1PIHYVXKGLT0NLAQBBJCCNNMCAEFAIWE?id=0064194020418a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=trailer+tires&sort=all&Go.y=0&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=0

I am all ears!!!

Thanks

[KansasBassin]

The Cabelas tires look good, did you check Tractor Supply on 119 and I35?  They have good deals usually. 

That is quite a blow, hope it didn't cause any damage to the new boat.

 

 

[slonezp]

Do you need the rims too? Would be cheaper to just buy the tires and have them mounted. I had a blowout early this year while on the road in Florida. I think I paid $99 out the door. I got home and replaced the other one. Ordered the tire online for $60, had it shipped to my local NTB and paid $10 to mount it. Not sure what brand the tires are off hand but they are radials not bias ply.

[George Welcome]

If you tow locally only then take a look at what Wal-Mart offers - (wheel and tire).

If you tow all over the place like I do then Goodyear Marathons.

[Sam]

KU, also remember to check and replace the grease each year.

One of my friends had the bearings burn up as he had never checked or changed the grease on his trailer hubs.

Go figure???? 

[Jig Man]

Buy trailer tires not car tires.

[NBR]

Jig Man is spot on. Buy traiiler tires.

[Sfritr]

There have been many threads here on BR regarding trailer tires and brands.  Many comments have been very negative regarding Goodyear Marathons. 

Carlisle have always gotten decent reviews here on the site.  They are what I recently purchased for my trailer.  I have only had them on a few months but so far so good.

[Glenn]

I chucked my Marathons for the Les Schwab tires.  Not only are they better, but there's a Les Schwab everywhere, just in case something happens.

Also note - if your tires are more than 6 or 7 years old, replace them regardless of how much tread is left!  Treadwear is NOT an indication of a tire's condition on a trailer.  The rubber breaks down over time, and weakens.  Thus a blowout WILL occur!

Also, as mentioned above, only get trailer tires for your trailer.  They are more flexible, which not only "cushions" your boat, but also makes it much safer for towing.  Regular car tires can make your trailer bounce all over the place.

[urp]

Disagree on car tires. Been using them for 30 years. They're cheaper and last longer. Never had a blow-out. The "bounce" factor sounds like a sales pitch. But then my rig comes in at under a ton.

[Fishing Rhino]

Rarely do trailer tires wear out the tread.  They get "dry rot".  It's actually damage caused by UV rays from the sun that is commonly known as dry rot.

Get two new tires, and wheels as needed.  Put them on the trailer and keep the surviving tire as a spare.

If you keep your rig stored outside, cover the tires to protect them from the sun.  They will last longer.

[fishhook11]

Fishing Rhino is spot on.  Dry Rot is the issue before tread in most cases.  Getting 2 new tires/wheels as needed while keeping the survivor as a spare is a great way to do it.

I've purchased from recstuff.com before. They carry Kenda tires and they've had some real good prices when I bought.

Looks like they have both the 13" and the 14" in stock.

recstuff.com/13-Inch-Radial-Trailer-Tires.aspx

recstuff.com/14-Inch-Radial-Trailer-Tires.aspx

Also...trailer tires are the way to go before car tires in my opinion.  Hope this helps...don't forget to wet a line.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

For whatever is worth I ended up getting Maxxis tires.  Whole situation was totally my fault.  I just bought this boat earlier this spring.  Noticed trip before last the tires were starting to show some small "flakes".  Told myself they could last a couple more weeks of short trips.  Wouldnt be surprised if they were the original tires circa 1995.  The previous original owner basically lived right down the street from the lake.

Lesson learned.

[buzzjet2]

I have had all kinds of trailer tires.  The goodyear marathons are way over-rated.  I have a 10 month old boat with carlisle's now and they are worn out.  The trailer is a dual axle and they are not wearing in spots.  The wear is even and they are just about gone.  The truth of the matter is that "ST" tires (trailer tires) are fine in most situations.  Guys that pull their boats alot will not get great life out of trailer tires.  They will last 10,000 miles or less.  If the tires on your truck went 10,000 miles, you would all be screaming.  My next set is going to be michelin car tires rated for 80,000 miles.  Load is not an issue switching between ST and car tires for boats.  I am tired of buying four new ones each year.  Maybe the car tires will last longer.

[Fishing Rhino]

I have had all kinds of trailer tires. The goodyear marathons are way over-rated. I have a 10 month old boat with carlisle's now and they are worn out. The trailer is a dual axle and they are not wearing in spots. The wear is even and they are just about gone. The truth of the matter is that "ST" tires (trailer tires) are fine in most situations. Guys that pull their boats alot will not get great life out of trailer tires. They will last 10,000 miles or less. If the tires on your truck went 10,000 miles, you would all be screaming. My next set is going to be michelin car tires rated for 80,000 miles. Load is not an issue switching between ST and car tires for boats. I am tired of buying four new ones each year. Maybe the car tires will last longer.

10,000 miles?  Can something be wrong with the alignment on the trailer, making the tires scrub or scuff rather than rolling.

Here's a quick easy way to check the alignment.  String the wheels. 

It takes two people.  Take a piece of string long enough to extend beyond the four bulges of the sidewalls of the tires at axle height.

Stretch the string tight, then bring it up to the tires on each side of the trailer.

It should make contact with the front and rear sidewall of both tires at the same time.  If there is a gap, or bulge at any of the four places, the axles are not in alignment.

I have a single axle trailer with my Nitro Z7, over 5000 miles on it (most of them on the road trip), and no significant sign of wear.  But, if a single axle is out of alignment the trailer will "crab" to one side or the other, but will not scrub the tires as seriously as a double axle trailer where the tires are "fighting" each other.

Dual axle trailers of any type will wear out tires quicker than a single axle.  Every time it makes a turn the tires scrub the pavement.

If there is no problem, alignment or tire pressure, I agree that 10,000 miles is not acceptable.  I'd go with light truck or car tires as well.

[buzzjet2]

The trailer is not out of alignment.  The tires are just crap.  The wear is even on all four tires.  The tires are simply so soft that they wear out quickly.  I get a new boat every few years and I always have this issue.  I don't believe that ST tires are made to last mileage wise like car tires.  I am going to make the switch and see if it helps.

[Fishing Rhino]

Some interesting articles on the topic. Light truck tires can be used on trailers, at least according to some articles.  As a side note, if the axles on a multi-axle trailer are not parallel, and perpendicular to the centerline of the trailer, they will scuff the tires evenly, and they will show no irregular wear.  It is not like a car alignment which has caster, camber and toe settings.

http://www.taskmasterproducts.com/acatalog/whybuytrailertires.pdf

http://www.ehow.com/about_5552521_trailer-tires-vs-car-tires.html

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5764475_trailer-tire-vs_-passenger-tire.html

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5764475_trailer-tire-vs_-passenger-tire.html

[Skeet22]

Single Axle = Trailer tires

Double Axle= Car tires as long as the total weight of your rig/4 does not exceed the max load capacity of each tire you are fine. Car tires will actually last longer and provide a smoother ride. Trailer tires are made with a harder compound and with stronger sidewalls to help with sway. Sway should not be an issue with double axle boat trailer being the load is positioned correctly and is always the same unlike a car or utility trailer.

Bass Cat uses car tires on their rigs from the factory...