Trailor Tires

[Cray]

zeepo, trailer tires have a higher load range due to higher ply rating and higher pressure capability. Trailer tires normally start at 50psi or greater for max pressure. A trailer tire the same size as a passenger car tire often has 50% or more load capacity. I'm not an expert but that's at least some of the difference as I understand it and after researching online for trailer tires recently. There's likely other differences too that someone may point out for us.

Another difference is the tread pattern is designed to be run on what is refered to as a free rolling axle ( never in a pulling situation as in drive axle of a car) thus better tread life if proper air pressure is maintained. Also sidewalls are a lot heaver for load carrying and most have a extra rib built in just above tread as a curb protector to keep from blowing out sidewall. Most trailer tires take a lot of abuse in everyday situations that car tires can't take.

[crappiedoc]

Another difference is the tread pattern is designed to be run on what is refered to as a free rolling axle ( never in a pulling situation as in drive axle of a car) thus better tread life if proper air pressure is maintained. Also sidewalls are a lot heaver for load carrying and most have a extra rib built in just above tread as a curb protector to keep from blowing out sidewall. Most trailer tires take a lot of abuse in everyday situations that car tires can't take.

Good point Cray, that also protects against tread separation or flap. If you have fiberglass fenders or one with lightweight metal this flap will slap your fenders right off, or at least it has the potential to do some serious damages.

[tdinges]

I think I met a couple guys from CDC Saturday at the sailboat ramp at Eldo. They had some bad luck with their trailer (luckily not on Turnpike). Wish I could have helped guys. You weren't there when I loaded at 10:00, so you must have gotten it take care of.

[fishingtim]

Hey, tdinges, that was me!, nice meeting you, still sick from it, but saw your picture from Saturday and looks like the fish were biting. Ragnar was there also.

Month or so ago before a big trip I did checked things over and everything was good. Got to the boat ramp on Saturday morning and the tire was leaning badly. Lost the hub cap, bearings, and castle nut some where on the road. Jacked the trailer up and the tire practically fell off. Got lucky I didn't loose the tire on the turnpike doing 65, that would of been bad I don't push it faster than that. Truck is happy pulling my boat from 60-65mph, otherwise it sucks down the gas. Did some calling around and go a tow truck to take it back into Wichita, insurance covered that. Shane came out and hung out for a while and see if he could help also. Currently boat is getting a new spindle and hub, then i'll be back in business. Did have a hard encounter with a curb on the way out of town dodging another vehicle, don't know if that's what started things falling apart, or a bad bearing, or castle nut came loose or how long I drove with the tire barely hanging on. ...but thank God that the tire stayed on till i got to the lake.

Tim.

[fishingtim]

tdinges - Re-read my post, and to clarify, i'm sick from my trailer breaking down, not from meeting you.

[springhillwantabe]

Hey, tdinges, that was me!, nice meeting you, still sick from it, but saw your picture from Saturday and looks like the fish were biting. Ragnar was there also.

Month or so ago before a big trip I did checked things over and everything was good. Got to the boat ramp on Saturday morning and the tire was leaning badly. Lost the hub cap, bearings, and castle nut some where on the road. Jacked the trailer up and the tire practically fell off. Got lucky I didn't loose the tire on the turnpike doing 65, that would of been bad I don't push it faster than that. Truck is happy pulling my boat from 60-65mph, otherwise it sucks down the gas. Did some calling around and go a tow truck to take it back into Wichita, insurance covered that. Shane came out and hung out for a while and see if he could help also. Currently boat is getting a new spindle and hub, then i'll be back in business. Did have a hard encounter with a curb on the way out of town dodging another vehicle, don't know if that's what started things falling apart, or a bad bearing, or castle nut came loose or how long I drove with the tire barely hanging on. ...but thank God that the tire stayed on till i got to the lake.

Tim.

aLWAYS SAID SOMETIMES BETTER TO BE LUCKY THAN GOOD

[tdinges]

Tim, nice meeting you as well. Maybe next time we'll be on the water in a better situation.

X2 on the 65 mph max. If I'm in that big of a hurry, I try to leave 5 minutes earlier. I learned my lesson on tires last summer. Blew 2 out on interstate on the way back from Wilson. Luckily my 2nd one I was just outside of McPherson and limped into the Wal-Mart. Had them throw a car tire on right before they closed and was able to limp back to Wichita with a spare and a car tire. Made for a nice 6 hour trip that usually takes 2. Not sure what would have happened if I would have been doing 80 when that 1st tire went. I saw chunks of rubber flying in my mirror and slowed down right away.

[fishingtim]

Got my boat back on Wednesday, but it was ready Tuesday afternoon. This was my fastest experience with getting my boat worked on and working with insurance. Ended up getting a whole new hub, bearings, and spindle. Insurance covered the tow and about half the shop bill. Didn't know how much they would cover but turned out being worth the claim. I forget exactly how it was worded but the bearings were not covered because they are considered wear and tear, but they covered what was damaged as a result of the bearings failing. Usually grease the hubs several times a year, early spring, summer, then again in the fall, guess it wasn't enough or just had a bad bearing. The guy at the shop recommended at least once a year taking the bearings out and repacking them with grease. Anybody else do this?

[CrappieCole]

The guy at the shop recommended at least once a year taking the bearings out and repacking them with grease. Anybody else do this?

Yes! It's not very hard to do...plenty of instructional videos on YouTube for those that haven't taken bearings apart and re-packed before (etrailer is my favorite). You can also inspect the bearings for signs of wear or heat-scarring and usually prevent a bearing failure before it happens. Just adding grease to the hubs really only serves to increase pressure inside the hub to prevent water from rushing in when hub is submerged and cooled. This is important to do occasionally, but not nearly as important as a yearly re-pack and inspection.

[crappieslinger]

Usually grease the hubs several times a year, early spring, summer, then again in the fall, guess it wasn't enough or just had a bad bearing. The guy at the shop recommended at least once a year taking the bearings out and repacking them with grease. Anybody else do this?

Absolutely! I pull the bearings out of mine every fall and inspect the bearings and put new seals in. Even if you replace the bearings each year it isnt terribly expensive. I think it was around $35 a wheel to put bearings and seals in mine. You can pick up bearings as a kit at Bass Pro but I dont use those. I normally go to an Auto parts store and get Timken bearings and a National seal for just a little more money.
I do this in the fall as any water in the bearings will cause pitting over the winter while the trailer sits still.
Even if you replace them every year, $70 is pretty cheap insurance to keep me on the road. Having a bearing go out at highway speed is no fun at all! And even if it doesnt tear something up when it goes out it seems to happen at the worst times and the worst places. It seems to always be after hours on a weekend.