can small trailer make long trip?

[oldbird]

While on temporary work assignment, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I bought a used 14? aluminum semi-v boat with Merc 200 outboard. The trailer has the small 4.80 x 8 rims and tires with the 4 on 4 lug pattern. I plan to clean and repack all bearings and put 5.70 x 12 tires and rims on the trailer. I will be pulling the boat and trailer 630 miles to home when I leave Tulsa. Will the trailer be up too this kind of trip? I will be running about 55 to 60 mph.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: can small trailer make long trip?

You should be fine. You might look in to a temporay license plate so the man does not bother you.

 

[oldbird]

Re: can small trailer make long trip?

Tags are not required on small boat trailers in my home state of Alabama so I never thought of this. Good idea. I will have the papers but never know how Arkansas and Tennessee will be about no tag.

Thanks,

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: can small trailer make long trip?

I towed my small trailer probably 5000 miles over the past 3 years, most of it at that speed without serious problems on 4.8x8 tires. Make sure your bearing stay in good shape and well greased. Ensure your tires are in good condition (no sidewall cracks) and keep them inflated near the max. Low pressure will cause heat buildup and you know the rest.
Always have a spare tire and bearing and the tools to change them.

 

[oldbird]

Re: can small trailer make long trip?

Thanks Jeep Man
I have pulled a lot of trailers over the years but never one with tires and wheels this small. I think that's what is giving me so much concern. But you and lckstckn2mknbrls have made me feel much better about the trip home. Think I need to just follow your common sense suggestions and enjoy the trip.

Thanks

oldbird

 

[Silvertip]

Re: can small trailer make long trip?

Those little tires will be spinning pretty fast at freeway speeds so by all means keep them aired up to max sidewall spec (normally 50 PSI). Keep your speed reasonable and by all means -- don't leave town without a spare. If you don't have one, visit any farm store as they generally have very reasonable prices on this size wheel and tire.

 

[oldbird]

Re: can small trailer make long trip?

That?s kind of what worries me and is my motivation for going to a 6 ply
5.30 x 12 size wheel and tire. ( I stated 5.70 x 12 in error in the original post). I know these are still small. But they seem to be as big as I can find
for a hub with a 4 on 4 pattern.

Thanks

 

[cr2k]

Re: can small trailer make long trip?

I would be cautious of "Farm Store" tires as they are probably not DOT rated or made for speed (not too many farm implements go over 30) . Besides being illegal they would not be rated for any kind of speed like you are planning.

As long as you have a DOT rated tire and good bearings I would not be concerned, but DO take a spare.

 

[oldbird]

Re: can small trailer make long trip?

I was thinking of ordering the wheels and tires from Eastern Marine or one of the other suppliers. I am looking at tires with a DOT load range ?C? rating. Thanks for the advice. You know the old adage ?If it can go wrong it probably will go wrong?.

Thanks

 

[steelespike]

Re: can small trailer make long trip?

I have a full set of 4 bolt 520 X 12 tires and rims from wallmart on my electric car. Excellent quality.4 summers outside all summer central new york never washed.Still excellent brilliant white paint with fine red and blue stripe.
Had 2 Central tractor tires didn't fit just right,turned yellow started to rust and peel after one summer.Wallmart were 5 or 10 dollars more but worth every penny.I think C/T were 29 and W/M 35 or 39.These will really save your bearings and the tires will run lots cooler.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: can small trailer make long trip?

I would be cautious of "Farm Store" tires as they are probably not DOT rated or made for speed (not too many farm implements go over 30) . Besides being illegal they would not be rated for any kind of speed like you are planning.

As long as you have a DOT rated tire and good bearings I would not be concerned, but DO take a spare.

I think what he means is a place like Tractor Supply which carries everything from utility trailers to birdfeeders

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: can small trailer make long trip?

I have an old trailer and put new 4.80x12 tires/wheels on them last year. Last summer, went on a 400+ mile trip one way and this spring went on a nearly 700 mile trip. I repacked the wheels last year and put bearing buddies on them. The trailer towed my boat like a champ without issue. I checked every time I stopped (about 4 times each way this last trip), and the wheels and tires still looked good, no overheating or anything. I've probably put on about 3000 miles on the tires since I bought them, and they still look good.

I don't know much about the 8" wheels, but if you plan to go with the 12 inch, my guess is that it should be no problem. I got my tires at a local Menards. As everyone else says, just be sure to carry a spare and personally, I'd check the tires at each stop.

 

[leserz]

Re: can small trailer make long trip?

in tenn. a trailer with no title needs NO license plate/tags. i moved to AR from TN. in AR it cost $26.00 for a tag that never expires on a trailer. good deal there.
if your home state does not require tags. i don't think another state can say much of anything.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: can small trailer make long trip?

Farm Store = Tractor Supply, Fleet Farm, Farm & Fleet, Agri Supply and the list goes on. Next time you pass one, don't be ashamed to stop in and browse. You will likely be surprised to find the Mayor or Governor shopping there. They have everything from toothpaste to teat dip. Unless you've ever spent more than 15 minutes on a dairy farm you probably wouldn't know what the latter item was for. But they also have trailers, trailer parts, auto supplies and related items at better prices than most auto/tire stores and a whole bunch cheaper than marine dealers.

 

[oldbird]

Re: can small trailer make long trip?

Actually I am very familiar with Tractor Supply Company, The local CO-OP and similar type stores. Have spent time in most all of them.
I have another small aluminum 14 footer at home. It is an old Arkansas Traveler that was in pretty rough shape when I got it. I had to replace all the wood around the gunnels, transom, and seats. But I enjoyed every minute of it. The boat also came with a trailer that had to be completely rebuilt. It had the 4.80 x 8 one piece wheel and hub assemblies which were rotted away. I put new hubs, wheels, and tires on that trailer. Got the hubs from Eastern Marine and the wheels and tires from Walmart. When I was through it made a great little boat. I never had to pull it more than a few miles from the house to the water. So the tire size never concerned me. But starting out 630 miles?..well that gave me some worry. Still; You guy?s have been fantastic and have really put me at ease with the idea of the trip. I feel confident with it now. Just need to follow every ones advice and plan ahead.

So why two boats so much alike? Why else. Two grandsons.

Thanks every one.