Will the spare on my dodge minivan fit the boat trailer? Looks like the same spread on the lug nuts, about 4 1/4 center to center diagonally. Would save me carrying a spare on the trailer. I've been told all boat trailers with 5 lugs are small Ford pattern.
spare tire compatability
- Thread starter Jansen
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If the rim fits the bolt pattern,clears the fender,and all you want to do is get off the freeway and drive slowly to the nearest gas station, it should work, I personally would want a tire I could bolt on and go.That means a trailer tire rated for the load, identical to the others on the trailer. You are running trailer tires, aren't you? Tim
The problem is the tire pressure. Trailer tires are often much higher pressure under normal use than car tires. For instance, on my trailer, the tires are rated at 60 PSI, and they're a lot smaller than the tires on my truck, which are rated at only 50. I'd recommend carrying a proper spare for your trailer.
trailer spare
Jansen, The best way to answer that is to try it out. Its a simple matter to try your spare on the trailer. You might compare the load rating on the two tires but I suspect the auto spare is adequate. Incidentally I don't think I would use one of the small spares except when that's a last resort. Ray T
Jansen, The best way to answer that is to try it out. Its a simple matter to try your spare on the trailer. You might compare the load rating on the two tires but I suspect the auto spare is adequate. Incidentally I don't think I would use one of the small spares except when that's a last resort. Ray T
Get some extra Insurance - carry a fifth wheel.
How many times have you seen a trailer on the side of the road with one wheel jacked up and no car in sight? Murphy's Law says tires blow out or bearings burn up on a Sunday afternoon and everything is closed until Monday. Cheap insurance is having a spare tire and hub. Trailer tires have a stiffer sidewall than passenger car tires and are able to take more abuse, like dropping off the edge of the road, or hitting curbs. Passenger car or light truck tires are not designed to take the trailer sway and heat generated from it. As already noted trailer tires also have higher inflation pressures (50 pounds and up depending on the load rating). This results in a cooler running tire. Car tires these days are rated at 36 PSI max. They are ok on a very light load but are not recommended when the tires are loaded at or near their maximum load capacity as boat trailers and RV's typically are.
How many times have you seen a trailer on the side of the road with one wheel jacked up and no car in sight? Murphy's Law says tires blow out or bearings burn up on a Sunday afternoon and everything is closed until Monday. Cheap insurance is having a spare tire and hub. Trailer tires have a stiffer sidewall than passenger car tires and are able to take more abuse, like dropping off the edge of the road, or hitting curbs. Passenger car or light truck tires are not designed to take the trailer sway and heat generated from it. As already noted trailer tires also have higher inflation pressures (50 pounds and up depending on the load rating). This results in a cooler running tire. Car tires these days are rated at 36 PSI max. They are ok on a very light load but are not recommended when the tires are loaded at or near their maximum load capacity as boat trailers and RV's typically are.
spare
Thanks for the advice. I bought 2 new trailer tires and wheels for the trailer and will use the best of the old tires for a spare. It mounted fine on the frame. I got bias ply tires since that's what was on it, a "D" tire for a trailer and air pressure 50#s. The tires and wheels came from "The Trailer Store" here in Tuscaloosa and were reasonable priced at $85 each. Will try them out on a trip to Palm Harbor this Sunday for a week of family reunion and great sailing I hope.
Thanks for the advice. I bought 2 new trailer tires and wheels for the trailer and will use the best of the old tires for a spare. It mounted fine on the frame. I got bias ply tires since that's what was on it, a "D" tire for a trailer and air pressure 50#s. The tires and wheels came from "The Trailer Store" here in Tuscaloosa and were reasonable priced at $85 each. Will try them out on a trip to Palm Harbor this Sunday for a week of family reunion and great sailing I hope.
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