Did I buy the right tire's?

[MAXXIE]

I had an old dry rotted tire come apart the other day (never really noticed the condition before/ Ya I know stupid on my part), & I ended up running to Wal Mart because I knew they had tires mounted on nicw wagon wheels for $77.00. I was just doing a search on tire pressure I should be running & after reading a few threads t prompted me to post a question: Did I buy the correct tires? The boat is a 17' bowrider w/ o/b, trailer is an EZ Load single axle. I only looked at the size of the old tires very quick as I was in a hurry, (trailer was sitting in the launch parking lot alone), The tires I bought are: 4.80-12 5 lug (size of old tires), Load range B, side wall reads max 60 psi cold. I don't know much about the load range rating. Is this the correct tire size & Load range for towing this boat on this trailer? Also, should I have the psi at 60 psi cold all the time? Thanks. Edit: One more thing, Do trailer tires get rotated? Well not exactly rotated but switched side to side every now & then? Might sound like a stupid question to some if not all, but I just want to be safe & get the most out of the new tires.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Did I buy the right tire's?

Sounds like you got some good new trailer tires/wheels for your trailer. If it says, 60PSI on the sidewall, then it's a trailer tire and that's the correct pressure. If your tires are wearing evenly then probably not much to be gained by rotating them. Depending on how far and how fast you're towing, then maybe a good idea to check/replace trailer tires every 4 or 5 years. We do a lot of interstate towing at 75MPH and I don't want to risk a blow-out at high speeds, so I replace mine after about 4 years, just to be on the safe side. We had a couple of tire failures while towing to Florida a few years back, and it ain't fun or safe! Good Luck!

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Did I buy the right tire's?

Thanks Bob, ya, they are pretty nice looking, the old rims are galv. & I was planning on painting at some point, now no need to. I have just done a test of some "self etching primer" on the fenders & painted those black. Really looks good with the white wheels & black fenders. Gotta do the rest of the trailer black now.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Did I buy the right tire's?

I would have gotten the load c (990lbs vs the 790 Lbs) Do you have any idea what your rig weighs? I don't mean to scare you but load B 4.8-12 is designed for a 1500# load max. Most definitely run the full 60 psi in these tires!

 

[robert graham]

Re: Did I buy the right tire's?

Save those galvanized rims, so you can go back to using them at some point in time, especially if you're ever going to launch in salt water. Good Luck!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Did I buy the right tire's?

I suspect those tires are very marginal. At 1580# max load (read the side wall of the tire), they are required to tote not only the weight of the boat, but the fuel, engine, gear and any other stuff you put in it PLUS the weight of the trailer. You really need to weigh this rig as I think it is overloaded for the tires you have. Yes -- 60# is required all the time. Why would you bother deflating them as this decreases the amount of weight they can carry and increases heat.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Did I buy the right tire's?

5.30 x 12 load range C would have gotten you 2090# of capacity. Which is probably closer to what your boat weighs.

 

[Trailerguy34]

Re: Did I buy the right tire's?

Good afternoon Maxxie -

A 4.80 tire with a B load range is a 4 ply tire .

Most B range tires that are in a 4.80 in a 12 inch tire rates at 780 lbs per side .

To answer your other question on should they be rotated ?

If you are seeing even ware , I wouldnt suggest it . Most axles do have a slight bend in the middle of the axle ( due to correcting the camber ) .

First and formost , should get the rating of the trailer , off of the I.D plate . It should be tack welded to the passenger side of the axle . It should state a weight there .

If you do not have that information , I am suggesting the following ( if you have round axles )

1 3/4 " = 2000 lb axle
2 3/8 " = 3500 lb axle
3" = 6 to 7 k

Hope this information helps you with your inquiry .

Have a good day !