Car Tires on a Trailer?

[wifisher]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

O.K. why am I not seeing the law being referred to here? It is illegal to run non-trailer rated tires on a trailer. Granted, only a over-zelous cop would look at them and write you up but if you were in an accident while towing, you can rest assured that someone will bring the tires into the picture.

Everybody wants a boat but few of us consider all the costs that go along with making boating a safe and fun activity.

OK, so you want to reference laws? Please reference the law that states, "It is illegal to run non-trailer rated tires on a trailer."

BTW, I have been certified to do vehicle inspections for years, and never heard of this.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

I think based on the OP's original question, yes, in this type of situation, you can run car tires and not have a problem, your not carrying a load that would damage the tires...go for it..

I use trailer tires for trailers and use car tires for cars, but a good amount of my usage is off road.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

OK, so you want to reference laws? Please reference the law that states, "It is illegal to run non-trailer rated tires on a trailer."

BTW, I have been certified to do vehicle inspections for years, and never heard of this.

As sschefer says, until there's a failure most won't look at it. It falls under the guise of improper equipment. If it fails and you cause harm you get nailed. Do what you want, but in my state anything carrying over 3000 lbs is specifically stated that it must comply with all manufacturers specification regarding brake capacity, load and tires as per it's original DOT certification. Why be attorney bait and screw it up?

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

I took the car tires off of my tandem and put trailer tires on "just in case".

 

[blacksmith04]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

I don't want to hijack this thread but, My trailer is rated to 1000lbs with a 16ft alum hull on it. The combo and my gear weigh much less then a geo metro or any other light car. So why wouldn't it be safe? I much rather pay for tires that last then someting thats over kill.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

As long as the tire is not overloaded or under inflated it is fine to use car tires, light truck tires, or trailer tires on your trailer.
They are round and can handle the load.
I have 6 ply tires on my 5,000lb camp trailer that are all season light truck tires, works great.

 

[blacksmith04]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

Just looked up a set that I was thinking about for mine. Here are the specs. good for up to 100mph and max load of 1047lbs. I don't ever plan on towing my boat faster then 55mph more like 40ish and just one tire is able to take the weight of trailer and boat. Just how much beer I mean gear are the rest of you takeing? I know that my small ice chest with some soda and ice won't add on an other 1000lbs.

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

I haven't see a post by "Ironhill" since #3, guess he got all he needed about 24 posts back

I like the car tire idea myself. But, run trailer tires anyway - my boat isn't much heavier than the originator... a 16' aluminum V equipped like a bass boat, I'd guess the total weight under 1000 pounds.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

Okay,

I called our Game and Fish dept here in Montana, they are the agency in charge of boat and trailer inspections, they told me, there is no law against using car tires on a trailer, but if there is an incident and the Hwy patrol notes that they were not trailer tires on your trailer, you could be charged with a misdemeanor for operation with unsafe equipment installed on your trailer..

In other words, they will not ticket you until such time as something happens. They can't tell you not to use them, but they don't recommend using them.

 

[ironhill]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

I haven't see a post by "Ironhill" since #3, guess he got all he needed about 24 posts back

WOW - I checked the thread a day ago and there was a couple of posts that were helpful and then saw it sink down the page on the forum so I thought that may be it.

I check in tonight to say thanks to the original replies and holy moly........

I didn't mean to touch off a debate - perhaps this is a touchy subject.

I know the importance of choosing the right equipement for the job. My desire was not so much as to save money but to get better quality and the bonus was that it came at a lower price. I thought rather than what looked to be pretty basic Carlisle trailer tires the radial car tires would offer a great margin of safety and durabilty. They rated for loads well in excess of what I had planned.

I did not want to imply that this was an option for all trailering circumstances obviously if I was pulling a tandem with a 5000lb load I would get the best trailer tire available.

My situation is a 200 lb tinner, the trailer, an 80 lb motor and 150 lbs of gear - pretty light duty stuff.

Now having enough experience in the legal field from my filed of work I know that should something happen lawyers will look to any element to strengthen their case. I will check my jurisdiction on the legal requirements.

But if I was to look at the condition of a 2 year old radial car tire and the trailer tire I looked at I cannot imagine how the trailer tire could be construed as offering better margins of performance or safety for light duty.

I want to be safe for my own regard as well as those with whom I share the highway. I thought barring something I wasn't aware of (which is why I asked), the perceived superior quality of the radial car tire for my specific application was the safer choice.

I appreciate all the posts and they contain much food for thought. I guess whatever the highway act lays out will govern my decision.

 

[ProudTuffyOwner]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

Ironhill, If your trailer tires seem to be rotting away as you mentioned. Use some old floor mats, or even an old cardboard box to cover them up when not in use. This will provide shade from the sun. The sun WILL cause the tires to crack very quick compared to car tires. IMHO trailer tires are safer for a trailer regardless of the amount of weight you now are hauling. What happens when you want to go on vacation and need to throw a bunch of heavier items in the boat? I tried saving some cash and put car tires on my 12 foot enclosed trailer. Everything was fine, UNTIL I loaded it up close to its limits. That trailer started to bounce side to side with almost every bump I drove over. Put trailer tires on it right away, same load, same road, and it followed the tow vehicle with ease with the trailer tires on. It costed a bit more for the tires, yet I know firsthand that I am towing safely and I am one less hazard on the road for others, at least as far as my tires are concerned..lol.

Matt

 

[444]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

I don't want to hijack this thread but, My trailer is rated to 1000lbs with a 16ft alum hull on it. The combo and my gear weigh much less then a geo metro or any other light car. So why wouldn't it be safe? I much rather pay for tires that last then someting thats over kill.

The way I've heard it is the sidewall construction is different for trailer tires versus car tires. Trailer tires are designed with a stiff sidewall meant to take the abuse of the axle being forced to pivot on a dime. Supposedly doing that puts a high load on the sidewall and passenger cars just do not experience that same kind of turning, weighted twisting dragging force. Now on a 1-2000 pound boat/trailer rig I wouldn't be too worried about it either way. On something 3000 pounds and up I would just spring for the proper tires.

I think it's more critical on a dual axle trailer because when you pivot that trailer the sidewalls do take a very strange loading as they drag and grab as you pull the trailer sideways, where with a single axle the tires just roll forward and backward instead of 1/2 way dragging.

I know around here, tire shops won't sell you car tires on trailer rims if you tell them it's for a trailer. Tell them it's for a car and bolt them on yourself at home and you're in business.

 

[ironhill]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

As a follow-up, I checked the Highway Act in the jurisdiction where this trailer will be operated (Ontario) there does not seem (from what I have been able to find so far) a requirement as to what specific type of tire should be used.

Only that they need to be in good condition and appropriately rated for the loads they are carrying (Section 69).

Here is a paraphrase from another website:

69.(1) Requirements as to tires On ?self propelled? vehicles and trailers over 1,820 kg (4000 lbs) you must have air filled tires in good condition that won?t damage or ?pound? the highway. If you?re trailer is under 1,820 kg it can have solid rubber tires (no air fill) but there must be at least 31.5mm (1.25?) of rubber between the rim and the road.

I will also ask a couple of buddies who are LEO's, one having done traffic enforcement, to see their responses.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

I think you can probably trust this source for your answer:

http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/trailer_tires.asp

This is pretty clearly defines why, although there is no specific law mandating the use of trailer tires on vehicles, (my original post was incorrect and based on heresay, I apologize.), there are several other unsafe vehicle codes that can be inforced to cover your failure to use a proper tire on your trailer.

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

I think you can probably trust this source for your answer:

http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/trailer_tires.asp

This is pretty clearly defines why, although there is no specific law mandating the use of trailer tires on vehicles, (my original post was incorrect and based on heresay, I apologize.), there are several other unsafe vehicle codes that can be inforced to cover your failure to use a proper tire on your trailer.

Wow, very informative!! Thank you...this article should clear up ANY questions brought up in this thread.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

I don't want to hijack this thread but, My trailer is rated to 1000lbs with a 16ft alum hull on it. The combo and my gear weigh much less then a geo metro or any other light car. So why wouldn't it be safe? I much rather pay for tires that last then someting thats over kill.

Trailers tend to sway back and forth much more than cars. That's where the increased sidewall stiffness of trailer tires comes in.

 

[ironhill]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

I think you can probably trust this source for your answer:

http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/trailer_tires.asp

Thanks that is a very informative post!!

Trailers tend to sway back and forth much more than cars. That's where the increased sidewall stiffness of trailer tires comes in.

That makes sense - especially for a really light application like mine.

I think although car radials may perform adequately for my circumstances, all things considered I will just get the trailer tires be done with it.

I really do appreciate the thought and advice that went in to all the posts!!!!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

ironhill, what happens here, is that people discuss a much broader subject than the original post--and all that extra information (although often contradictory!) can be useful and informative. For example, I run three trailers, from a light one for a 13' to a dual axle with brakes for a 21', and I'm glad to have all the insight.

The answer to your direct question was easy--with a boat that light, it doesn't matter. All the rest is for other circumstances than your own. So don't apologize for stirring up a bull session; it's mighty easy to do.

 

[dahogman]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

I bought a set of 530-12-C's on the white wagon 8 spoke rims for about $130 at Wally world. I think this is being overthought, shop around and you'll find trailer tires and rims cheaper than what you listed. At any rate at the prices you are referring to you are going to save maybe $30. Lets say the tires last you 2 years, going the cheap way is going to save you a mind staggering 80 cents a month. I think that I'd just spend the money and forget about it, but I'm a wild man.

 

[ironhill]

Re: Car Tires on a Trailer?

I may have not communicated clearly enough - cost differential was not my primary issue. As you say it's isn't enough to make any significant (to me at least) difference.

The main issue was that I perceived that the radial tire was a much higher quality option than the bias ply trailer tires - it was just an added bonus that they were cheaper.