I THOUGHT they were the same tires!?!?

[ski1559]

So I got a small starcraft 14 ft aluminum boat this spring and I'm finally getting to replacing the tires. I took a tire to Tractor supply and bought "what i thought" was the same tire. I got it home and this is what I found. Both the old and new rims are 5 bolt 8x3.75.

The old tire is a 4.80x8 2 ply Carlisle tire rated for 590 lbs at 60psi.

The new tire is a High Run 4.80x8 4 plytire rated for 590 lbs at 60psi.

These tires are very different!!!!!!!!!!!!
width and height are not the same! I took it to a tire shop and they had no clue. Give me some answers guys!
PS- this is for a little 14ft aluminum boat.
I'm an idiot, please help.

 

[dragginanchor]

Re: I THOUGHT they were the same tires!?!?

Hey there Ski-

Don't worry about it. They are the same tires as far as safety and load handling, the difference is cosmetic. If they fit and wont rub on the fender wells go for it.

Dragginanchor..

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: I THOUGHT they were the same tires!?!?

The tire that you purchased is a better tire with less flex due to the 4 ply side wall, and is rated to be towed at a higher speed.

If it was me I would purchase 2 of the new tires and keep the old tires for a spare.

 

[Dkrager]

Re: I THOUGHT they were the same tires!?!?

If they are the same size tire, then the width of the rim itself is the difference.

The old tires have a wider rim, so that makes them look fatter and shorter.

The new ones have a narrow rim, so that makes the tire stand up taller.

Nevermind!!! I looked at the pic closer, it's just the opposite of what I just said. LOL!

Only thing I can think of is that they are made in China and they forgot to measure that day.

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: I THOUGHT they were the same tires!?!?

I agree about the Chinese new vs old. I would also say to purchase one more and use the old as a spare. The difference in the shapes could cause tracking issues.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: I THOUGHT they were the same tires!?!?

Definately looks like two different tire sizes, almost like the old tire is a retread tire.

 

[BF]

Re: I THOUGHT they were the same tires!?!?

I had this when I bought car tires some years back. I bought a set of 4, but after getting them put on, they were a lot narrower than the old ones even though they were listed as the same size. Went back to the tire shop and it turns out that the "size" isn't really the size. The brand that I bought (Bridgestone I think?) are all narrower than other brands in each size. Said it's how they increase profit margin b/c less rubber is used. I remember a stack of 8 or 9 of the tires I bought was 1 full tire shorter than a stack of the same number of michelin tires (of the same "size") stacked next to them. Seemed scamish on the part of the tire manufactorer to me. I debated about having them yanked off, but in the end decided to leave them b/c the car was gonna move to someone else anyway... but it bugged me. Diameter wise, that was the same.

 

[J JACKSON]

Re: I THOUGHT they were the same tires!?!?

we run into this all the time at work different tire brands are different sizes I have seen them as much a 5 inches in height and 5 inches in width. it doesn't really mater as long as they are replaced as a set and don't rub

 

[Mark42]

Re: I THOUGHT they were the same tires!?!?

As long as they have the correct sizing and load capacity for the trailer and load, they are good to use.

 

[ski1559]

Re: I THOUGHT they were the same tires!?!?

Thanks for the advice guys.
I bought two of the new tires and have put them on. I sould get the boat out on its trial run during the next week.

ski