trailer tires

[renoduckman]

OK men, its time for new tires on my trailer. What is your opinion on the radials or bias? What brands do you like and dont like? I need 205 74 14 , acording to the tag on the trailer. THanks joe

 

[cbavier]

Re: trailer tires

Carliles Radials

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: trailer tires

To me, either are fine. The main thing is to make certain they are actually trailer tires and that there is sufficient load rating for your application. How about checking those bearings while you are at it ??

 

[ebry710]

Re: trailer tires

I agree with kenmtfam. Trailers do not have the shock/spring systems that an auto does. They bounce more. They mess with belts in the tires and cause tread separation. Trailer tires are design for that.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: trailer tires

radial, carlisle and tow master.

 

[renoduckman]

Re: trailer tires

Thanks for the advice. IM going to go with the radials. Just getting some prices here now. I have a 17ft Whaler and its on a heavy duty Skeeter boat trailer. My past experience has been with those 12 inch tires on a smaller Whaler. I never had any flats or blow outs but i seemed to have tires that wore funny.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: trailer tires

My boat trailer came with 205/70/14's and thats what the 1990 VanGuard book says as well. Will going to 75 cause any interferance? I dont see my size in a trailer form.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: trailer tires

My boat trailer came with 205/70/14's and thats what the 1990 VanGuard book says as well. Will going to 75 cause any interferance? I dont see my size in a trailer form.

75's will add 5 mm to the sidewall height. Check the mudguards for clearance and add suspension movement. I would be very suprised if the 5mm made that much difference but check first.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: trailer tires

75's will add 5 mm to the sidewall height. Check the mudguards for clearance and add suspension movement. I would be very suprised if the 5mm made that much difference but check first.

Going to 75's would add 10.25 mm of sidewall height to this tire. The 75 number is the precentage of the width that determines the height. In this example, the sidewall height would be 0.75 x 205. Your previous sidewall height was 0.70 x 205.

I am surprised that a 70 series tire was spec'd. Typically don't see 70 series tires with trailer tires.

 

[Wassachu]

Re: trailer tires

I've heard that radial tires should "never" be used on trailers because the side walls are too flexible. You might want to look into that before you purchase any tires. There's less sway with belted tires.

 

[DJ]

Re: trailer tires

I've heard that radial tires should "never" be used on trailers because the side walls are too flexible. You might want to look into that before you purchase any tires. There's less sway with belted tires.

WRONG! There are plenty of Radial tires out there for trailer use.

The difference is: Sidewall construction.

Any tires, Radial or Bias, are available with the "ST" rating. Buy those.

 

[burp]

Re: trailer tires

I've heard that radial tires should "never" be used on trailers because the side walls are too flexible.

Wassachu, Do a little investigating and you will find that radial trailer tires are quite common. The sidewall flex/sway is not an issue. My preference for trailer tires, Goodyear Marathons (radials).

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: trailer tires

I am surprised that a 70 series tire was spec'd. Typically don't see 70 series tires with trailer tires.

Ditto!! Heres a copy of the booklet I scanned. Its from 1990
Mines the fist tandem VT2040

 

[ebry710]

Re: trailer tires

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire_code

Kind of an interesting brochure. It says to use a P205/70-14 for VT-2040 tandem axle. Question for the manufacture: How come you are putting passenger (p) rated tires and not special trailer (st) tires on their trailers. Bad form.

70 has to do with ratio of the sidewall height to the total width of the tire.

P = passenger
205 = width of the tire in millimeters
70 = ratio of the sidewall height to the total width of the tire
14 = diameter in inches of the rim

* P: Passenger
* LT: Light Truck
* ST: Special Trailer
* T: Temporary

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: trailer tires

It appears the origional vanguard was bought out by trail master. I emailed them with no answer. Unfortunatey when I bought the boat he had put on 4 brand new tires, but are P rated in that size. Pulls good and no sway but I can tell on a turn the sidewalls flex alot. I'll eventually move to a ST tire sometime this year probebly.

 

[ebry710]

Re: trailer tires

Good call.