Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

[Captain Gecko]

Hi all,

New to boating this season, forum has been great helping with my boat. Just bought a used, old but sturdy tandem Calkins roller trailer. 24', 7080 lbs rating. I've been doing some work on it and it towed my boat home today, performed well.

The tires however, have served their duty. They are 235/75-15.

I'm looking around for replacements and haven't found any specific trailer tires. I did find these truck tires, which are on sale and seem to fit the bill. They have a good load index and rating I believe?

TIA.
Chris

Motomaster Total Terrain A/P

Product Number:0052332
Manufacturer Part #:WL1-31A-V956
Size:235/75R15 109/S
Category: Light Truck Tires
Availability: Limited Stock

Designed for CUVs, SUVs and light trucks
Four wide circumferential grooves and centre rib - resist hydroplaning while traction in snow

Mileage Rating:NA
Sidewall Style:OWL
Load Index:109 (2271 lbs)
Load Range:XL (41 psi)
Speed Rating:S
UTQG:520 B A

Mud + Snow Rated

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

I have always had better luck with "Trailer tires" My Dad liked auto tires on his tandem axle but he had an awful lot of blow outs. He swore they towed better at high speeds. He was a bit of a lead foot. Opinions vary. I didn't see that exact size but there are a few that are close.
Good luck!

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fi...TR3&rcz=76126&tp=Trailer&tpc=CARTR3&rc=TCSINT

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fi...TR1&rcz=76126&tp=Trailer&tpc=GDYTR1&rc=TCSINT

 

[Captain Gecko]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

Thanks for the reply! Part of the issue is I'm in Canada and the best online tire sites all seem to be in the US, with shipping to the US...sigh. Which is partly why I'm considering the truck tires. I mostly tow locally and avoid the highways, so speed isn't really an issue. Just want safety and strong sidewalls.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

On that tire size, I'd use truck tires in a heartbeat. I used to use my P/U takeoffs on all my trailers and only thing that annoyed me was the fact that they were P rated (P235....) and the sidewalls were soft causing a lot of sidewall flexing in the tandem installation. A single axle application or if tandem, an LT rated tire should do just fine for you. Have since replaced tires on that trailer with bias ply tires and the flexing annoyance disappeared.....but I never had a failure on a tire used in trailer service.

HTH,

Mark

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

My car trailers have always used D rated truck tires, they came that way from the dealer.

 

[skyking897]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

I know a lot of people use the LT truck tires on their travel trailers and have no problems. If your really concerned why not use the ST225's. They are trailer rated and not that much smaller than the P235's. For what it's worth, I wouldn't hesitate to use the LT truck tires but would stay away from the P rated tires, they are for passenger cars and designed for a smooth ride.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

Lt tires ARE generally rated for trailer service at a reduced weight capacity.... But st's are better.... As suggested above just change to st225's

Might throw the boat's spedometer off

 

[Captain Gecko]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

Thanks all. I'm learning fast and furious here...a lot to know about this here boating world it seems. Step 1 is getting my banker on speed dial...

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

I have been running a 6ply (50 psi) LT tire 235/15 on my 5,000lb camp trailer for many years with no tire wear issues or blow outs. I run them at about 40 psi since I am only loading them about 1300lbs per tire.

 

[Failproof]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

The only draw back to a "truck" tire in that size will be in tread squirm, sidewall deflection, and a tendency to "track" grooves in the road. But none of its a real concern for short distances. You could probably get by with any size tire that carried more than the weight of the boat (combined), for short jaunts. Its heat build up that will cause issues.

 

[oops!]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

Thanks for the reply! Part of the issue is I'm in Canada and the best online tire sites all seem to be in the US, with shipping to the US...sigh. Which is partly why I'm considering the truck tires. I mostly tow locally and avoid the highways, so speed isn't really an issue. Just want safety and strong sidewalls.

princess auto bud

 

[Captain Gecko]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

princess auto bud

Good call, hadn't even considered them. Will check it out, thanks.

 

[Sabbath]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

After my weekend away, i cant stress enough the benefits of a) A Quality Tyre and B)Carrying a spare.

300km from home, doing 100km/h (60ish mph) Had a tyre blowout on the trailer:

Leaving me stranded, on a public holiday, with no spare. Luckily, after a 200km round trip, i managed to source a tyre and get it fitted.

Then on the way back went through the same tyre shop and picked up two new tyres and wheels. So i now have a spare >.< 6 ply truck tyres for those playing at home.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

I didn't read all the posts because I already knew the correct answer.

1. Check with the correct highway authorities where you plan to tow the boat. They may or may not require trailer rated tires.
2. Check with your insurance company, they may or may not require trailer rated tires.
3. Run only trailer rated tires, save yourself the worry and a bunch of useless phone calls. Odds are pretty good that if you are involved an accident caused by a tire failure, you will be found at fault just because trailer rated tires are available and common sense say's you should have had them. Sorry, don't mean to sound rude, it's just what my insurance company told me and the local Highway Patrol.

 

[skyking897]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

sschefer... just have to ask you a question about your statements. First off, I agree with you completely. ST trailer tires are the way to go. But when you say your insurance company says so, was it your insurance agent or do you actually have something in writing from you insurance company? Reason I ask is because if it was your agent, it carries about as much weight as anyones comments in this thread. If its in writing from you insurance company, then everyone should sit up and pay attention, you have been warned. Gives them grounds to nullify your coverage in the event of an accident.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

I didn't read all the posts because I already knew the correct answer.

^^^^^^
Well that's no fun !

Agree with your answer though. Big believer in "trailer rated tires"

 

[sam60]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

Get yourself some goodyear HMG 2020. They are load range D trailer tires and are made for U-Haul. (you think U-Haul wants frequent tire problems?) I like mine very much. Many independent tire stores can get them.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Light truck tires ok for trailer? Specs in thread.

I didn't read all the posts because I already knew the correct answer.

1. Check with the correct highway authorities where you plan to tow the boat. They may or may not require trailer rated tires.
2. Check with your insurance company, they may or may not require trailer rated tires.
3. Run only trailer rated tires, save yourself the worry and a bunch of useless phone calls. Odds are pretty good that if you are involved an accident caused by a tire failure, you will be found at fault just because trailer rated tires are available and common sense say's you should have had them. Sorry, don't mean to sound rude, it's just what my insurance company told me and the local Highway Patrol.

My boat trailer came from the factory with 13" bias ply auto tires. I have the original manufacturer's catalog that clearly shows all 42 trailer models and the type of tire on each. About 1/3 of them were equipped with auto tires, the rest STs. Depended upon the load rating the trailer had.

So, is your "law" a new one, or was my trailer manufacturer prohibited from selling their product in Kalifornia? Its a TeeNee btw, and yes they don't make them any more.

I'm not debating or arguing which type is better.....just pointing out that ST tires were not universally mandated.