Re: Blowouts
I can't say that I really agree with most of the sentiment here, although it makes for good reading. I bought my boat and trailer back in '93. Both have spent that time either sitting outside or being pulled behind my vehicle (ok, the boat gets to take a bath from time to time when it is in use on the water).
The tires on my trailer are original, and I have experienced no problems with either.
I, too, have seen motorists along side the road with flats, either on their cars (more frequently) or on their trailers.
If there is a difference between a trailer tire and an auto tire, my bet would be that more technology and better materials go into the auto tire. After all, those tires have to stand up to heavy and varied stresses, what with being driven in all types of weather over all sorts of roads, on the wheels that do the steering or those that transfer the engines energy to the road (or, in these times, both steering and transfer at the same time).
. . . and I suspect that what is being described here as a blow out, such as the truck incident or the throwing of the trailer's tread, is the result of the widespread use of re-treads by trucking concerns and rental companies.
I lease a Penske van for my company, and, during a trip to NYC with my daughter at the start of one of her college years, I hear this loud bang against some part of the truck, followed by a loud rubbing sound.
I pull over to investigate and find that the left rear tire has thrown its tread which is now wedged between the wheel and the fender of the truck. I pulled it out, and carefully proceeded to drive some twenty miles to the nearest exit of the NJ Turnpike, got off and found the nearest tire outlet.
I had them replace that tire with a new tire - not a re-tread.
You should have heard the boys at Penske complain when I presented them with the bill. "Why did you not purchase another re-tread?" they wanted to know.
It is obviously a huge cost-saving measure practiced by this otherwise pristine and well-run company.
All that left-behind rubber you have to watch for on the freeway is the result of the same practice used by most trucking companies for the tires they install on their semi-trailers.
Actual tire bodies are made very well these days. I would bet that few actually blow out.
. . . and I feel there should be consequences for truckers who allow shed treads to dangerously litter our roadways.
As for trailer tires, I'm guessing that if you install a half decent tire to begin with, avoid retreads, and pay just a little attention to the tire pressure, you should experience few of these roadside standings.
I grew up exploring America's highways with my parents who were always taking us to some far-away vacation spot in this or that station-wagon pulling some sort of trailer, either a boat loaded with camping supplies, or, in later years, a camping trailer loaded with a boat.
We did experience flats, but they generally involved tires that were brand new run at the correct pressure. In most of those situations, we either bought tires and were later reimbursed by the tire company, or, in a few instances, were able to find a dealer who could make the exchange on the spot.
I don't ever remember a tire actually blowing out, and never one that disintegrated.
I see many drivers on the freeway with flats who don't seem to realize that you can't drive a flat tire 10 more miles to the nearest exit/gas station.
That will destroy a tire, perhaps the rim as well, and may end up leaving some debris on the highway.
I'm not in the tire business, but I'd have to say that that industry is one example where one really gets his/her money's worth. It's a pretty mature industry that puts out an incredibly tough product that, for most of us, really performs reliably.
I'm not certain why auto tires are knocked as unsuitable for trailers, but it really doesn't matter to me. I don't think I could find an auto tire small enough for my trailer unless I picked up some go-cart tire somewhere.
Happy boating.
Caruso
