Off to the Tire Store

[bhammer]

Was towing this past Saturday. Everything was great until I reached about 55 and the whole trailer began to shake badly. Looking in the side view mirror, I could see that my forward axle was bouncing like crazy. I stopped and looked at everything and all seemed normal. Thought I may have mud casuing an unbalance.

Got the trailer home that night and jacked up each side. I found two tires, one on each side, that were out of round. The tred was bulging out on the tires. Only lasted 4 years. Guess that's pretty good seeing as the last trailer, they only lasted about 3 but that was a single axle.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Off to the Tire Store

Yep, we had tread separation and blow-outs on both trailer tires on the interstate highway a few years ago(not fun!), now I just replace both trailer tires every 3 years, about $200, but well worth it. A blow-out on the interstate is just not good at all! I don't believe Michelin makes boat trailer tires(I wish they did), so all the others on the market are O.K., pretty good, maybe alright! None great that I know of! Good Luck

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Off to the Tire Store

so, why not get regular tires? I have never understood this.

 

[bobo7]

Re: Off to the Tire Store

Hi, My understanding is that the trailer tires have a lot stronger sidewalls than regular automotive tires.Hope this helps.

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Off to the Tire Store

It seems that so many are having problems with the tread bubbling or coming apart. My trailer tires are 13" and its hard to believe they are much stronger than a good quality light truck tire in that same size. Does anyone have any "proof" that trailer tires are superior to automotive tires.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Off to the Tire Store

I dare you to find a 13" LT tire.

 

[SteveRoss]

Re: Off to the Tire Store

I enjoy and always learn from the forums here, but what the heck are "regular tires" ???

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Off to the Tire Store

I dare you to find a 13" LT tire.

Ok, so perhaps not a 13" but there are trailers that have 14",15",16" etc.

My question was, Does anyone have any "proof" that trailer tires are superior to automotive tires.

 

[1fast6]

Re: Off to the Tire Store

Ok, so perhaps not a 13" but there are trailers that have 14",15",16" etc.

My question was, Does anyone have any "proof" that trailer tires are superior to automotive tires.

I would think a good quality lt radial would out last a china bias any day of the week in highway towing.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Off to the Tire Store

Ok, so perhaps not a 13" but there are trailers that have 14",15",16" etc.

My question was, Does anyone have any "proof" that trailer tires are superior to automotive tires.

Have you evere seen a LOAD RANGE E auto tire? Tire selection is not just based on size of the rim. The tire must carry the load. If you are towing a 15 foot jon boat on a trailer with 13 inch wheels, any auto tire would probable work fine since it is very under-stressed. Auto tires are also designed for cars that have shock absorbers whereas trailers generally do not so the tire needs to take the abuse hence the stiffer sidewalls and lastly, most trailer tires have inflation pressures that range from a minimum of 50 PSI to as high as 90 PSI. Try that with an auto tire and you'll have a face full of rubber. All you need to do is read the specs.

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Off to the Tire Store

thanks Silvertip. Do trailer tires have load range specs similar to automotive tires?

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Off to the Tire Store

Just had to add - two weeks ago, I pulled the boat out of the garage in prep for a trip and found the right front tire was bulged bad - looked like a football cut in half lengthwise was sticking out of the tread. Off to store, $138 later had a new Goodyear Marathon mounted. Hook up the trailer the next day, head out on our trip. About 3 hours down the road, running about 70 mph on the interstate, the right rear let go. Peeled the tread off about 90 degrees of the tire. Tire was still up, but no way was I going to make it another hour to my desination. Got out the phone and googled tire shops (mind you I'm in the middle of nowhere in Northern NY) and a shop comes up 4 miles away. Called the guy and long story short, he met me at the shop (8 pm on a Friday), mounted an old junk car tire (only thing he had) then wouldn't charge me as he said the tire wasn't worth much. I explained that I had a 3 week old daughter in the car, and he saved me untold frustration. I slipped 2 $20's under his calculator and headed out.

Point of the story - I thought Marathon's were supposed to be the best (and should be based on $$$), but had two failures in as many days. I'm not positive, but guessing these were original (2006) on the trailer.