Trailer Tires?? I need a new set and woundered if anyone could give me a quick primer. I have a two wheeled Magic Tilt triler with 570 X 8LRC tires hauling a 1600 LBS, 1982 H19. What should I look for: 2 ply V. 4 ply, Bias V. Radials? Should I get tires that are rated to carry more wieght then my boat? What questions should I be asking? Thanks, Nicholas
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
D
Dave Condon
tires
Tires are very important on trailers as you point out. The more ply is better. Weight is a factor too. On the side of each tire, you will note the total wieght it can carry. Add the weight of the boat, trailer, motor and gear together and it should be less than the suggested total for the two tires. I have heard different ratios as to how much per tire but I usually allow up to 85-90%. Do not go with under rated tires or they will get hot and blow when trailering. Dave Condon
Tires are very important on trailers as you point out. The more ply is better. Weight is a factor too. On the side of each tire, you will note the total wieght it can carry. Add the weight of the boat, trailer, motor and gear together and it should be less than the suggested total for the two tires. I have heard different ratios as to how much per tire but I usually allow up to 85-90%. Do not go with under rated tires or they will get hot and blow when trailering. Dave Condon
T
Tom
J
John Larsen
Cheap tires
I've learned from previous experience that if you go cheap with tires you'll pay in the end, either with problems or pocket book or both. Having a blowout on any trailer can spoil your weekend in a hurry. I'd recommend a good tire dealer who can advise you of the right tire for the use. Watch out for the sales guys at some of the cheep places...anyone can sell a tire.
I've learned from previous experience that if you go cheap with tires you'll pay in the end, either with problems or pocket book or both. Having a blowout on any trailer can spoil your weekend in a hurry. I'd recommend a good tire dealer who can advise you of the right tire for the use. Watch out for the sales guys at some of the cheep places...anyone can sell a tire.
More tire tips
I never thought I would have the chance to draw on my performance driving experience (I was a car guy in a previous life) to help a fellow sailor. These general guidelines kept me from wiping out on many a weekend. Here goes... a) Radial tires are for cars...do NOT use them on your trailer. Their sidewalls flex a lot more under load than bias-ply trailer tires, which will make your trailer all squirrely. b) Resist the temptation to skimp when buying trailer tires. Get the absolute best tires you can. Go up to the next load range if you can afford it. This is especially true if you have a single axle trailer. The extra load and temperature rating may be the only thing that brings you home if the tire starts losing pressure on a hot crowded Sunday afternoon on the highway when a lesser tire will call it quits. Which brings me to... c) Pay very close attention to your tire pressures when towing. Most blowouts are caused by tire pressure that is too low. Check the tire pressure cold before you start off. All trailer tires should be inflated to the same pressure, which should be close to the maximum value molded in the sidewall. Stop and check again after the first 15 mins or so of towing when the tires have warmed up to their operating ing temperature. They should all have increased by the same amount; about 2-5 psi above the cold pressure. Note this value. When you stop every hour or so to check the wheel bearings, check the pressures again. If any tire fell by more than 2 psi, find out why and fix the problem right away. Which brings me to... d) Invest in a proper tire pressure gauge; the round dial ones are best e) do not exceed the rated speed of your tires when towing. They will overheat and become unstable. Remember that your tires are the only things keeping your pride and joy from turning into a pile of broken wood, metal, fiberglass and dreams on the road. Think how much money you invested...OK, awright...SPENT on your boat. Pavement is not forgiving to boats that it meets at highway speed. Good luck!! Peter s/v Raven
I never thought I would have the chance to draw on my performance driving experience (I was a car guy in a previous life) to help a fellow sailor. These general guidelines kept me from wiping out on many a weekend. Here goes... a) Radial tires are for cars...do NOT use them on your trailer. Their sidewalls flex a lot more under load than bias-ply trailer tires, which will make your trailer all squirrely. b) Resist the temptation to skimp when buying trailer tires. Get the absolute best tires you can. Go up to the next load range if you can afford it. This is especially true if you have a single axle trailer. The extra load and temperature rating may be the only thing that brings you home if the tire starts losing pressure on a hot crowded Sunday afternoon on the highway when a lesser tire will call it quits. Which brings me to... c) Pay very close attention to your tire pressures when towing. Most blowouts are caused by tire pressure that is too low. Check the tire pressure cold before you start off. All trailer tires should be inflated to the same pressure, which should be close to the maximum value molded in the sidewall. Stop and check again after the first 15 mins or so of towing when the tires have warmed up to their operating ing temperature. They should all have increased by the same amount; about 2-5 psi above the cold pressure. Note this value. When you stop every hour or so to check the wheel bearings, check the pressures again. If any tire fell by more than 2 psi, find out why and fix the problem right away. Which brings me to... d) Invest in a proper tire pressure gauge; the round dial ones are best e) do not exceed the rated speed of your tires when towing. They will overheat and become unstable. Remember that your tires are the only things keeping your pride and joy from turning into a pile of broken wood, metal, fiberglass and dreams on the road. Think how much money you invested...OK, awright...SPENT on your boat. Pavement is not forgiving to boats that it meets at highway speed. Good luck!! Peter s/v Raven
N
Nick Ellis
Thanks!!
A BIG THANKS goes out for all the input and advise on the trailer tires. Come to find out, my tires were B rated 2 ply when they sould have been C. I'm replacing them with 6ply C. Thanks again, NE
A BIG THANKS goes out for all the input and advise on the trailer tires. Come to find out, my tires were B rated 2 ply when they sould have been C. I'm replacing them with 6ply C. Thanks again, NE
- Status
- Not open for further replies.