Tire size question

[swandogg]

Lurked for a while and now I have a question. I have F78-14ST tires on my trailer now. That is a 205/75R14 right? My other question is can I use a 195/75R14 instead as I can get a set for free? TIA

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Tire size question

That depends on the load you are carrying. Check the sidewall of the tire for the maximum load the tire is capable of carrying and multiply by two if it's a single axle trailer. If the weight of the boat, motor, trailer, and all the gear, gas, adult beverages, etc is less than that number, its ok to use them. EXCEPT -- you should be using ST (special trailer designation) on a trailer. Yes -- people use regular car tires but at their maximum load they build up a great deal of head. Passenger car tires are rated at 35PSI. ST tires are rated at 50 PSI.

 

[swandogg]

Re: Tire size question

Thanks. I think anything would be better than the dry rotted tires on there now. What do you mean by "build up great deal of head"?
I was hoping that they could get me by for the rest of the season since I am off work till spring. May go out a handful of times the rest of the year only 10 minutes from house. I will calculate that info and hopefully it will manage for now.

 

[1970 Chieftain V]

Re: Tire size question

Trailer tires have a thicker sidewall than auto tires Because of the different loads on a trailer tire. The thicker sidewall also helps with sway.

Jason

 

[Wotam]

Re: Tire size question

>"build up great deal of head"?

I think he meant 'heat'.

 

[swandogg]

Re: Tire size question

>"build up great deal of head"?

I think he meant 'heat'.

*smacks self on head*

Should have known that.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Tire size question

My other question is can I use a 195/75R14 instead as I can get a set for free? TIA

Based on what I have read here, I suspect that this depends on the weight of your boat. I ran passenger tires, and cheap ones at that, for a year but I have a very light boat. Others on here seem to blow nearly every brand of ST tires on a regular basis. Couple that with some recent discussions here about dealers selling overloaded trailers in their boat/trailer packages and I think that we are back at my first sentence.

-E

 

[swandogg]

Re: Tire size question

I decided it wasnt worth the risk and picked up a set of trailer tires from discount tire today. I got 4 new ones for my wifes car too and they knocked off 100 bucks for me. Plus the 4 I got for the truck 2 weeks ago I think they are happy to give me a break.