Tires again!

[MOP]

What are the thoughts on using automobile tires on a trailer? My trailer tires are rated at 1450 at 35psi. I found same sized Michliens rated at 2050 at 35psi 600lbs per wheel higher. I love Michliens, these are bit pricy compared to the Marathons but also higher rated weight wise.

[Bryan Tuvell 33ZX]

M.O.P., keep in mind I only know what I read.
Trailer tires are constructed differently, especially the sidewalls.

See ya soon, and counting the days for 1000 Is.
Bryan

[penbroke]

My (very limited) understanding is that trailer tires have much stiffer sidewalls to reduce sway.

I have used car tires on several light trailers with no trouble BUT my trips have always been 3-5 miles or less. Now that I'm thinking of draging the 18 far greater distances I'll be looking for real trailer tires.

My neighbor a couple doors up the road is in the tire business and wants a ride... :)

Frank

[MOP]

Since I put the post up I went skulking around the net. Seems as if we were all wrong according to the only article I could find. Radial car tires are much stiffer and transmit more shock to the trailer frame, cars have sophisticated suspension trailers don't. Trailer tires are thicker walled to resist abrasion but more plyable and belted much different to protect against tread separation especially when used on tandems which get a good wrenching in hard turns.
Oh well still hunting a deal on Marathons 205/14/75D, any deals out there time getting real short.

[mattyboy]

car radials are made to have a side wall that flexes ( the noticeable bulge in the sidewall)keeping the tread planted for better riding better handling until the speed increases and the
bulge flattens but thats above 75 mph, but consider turning a trailer the wheels don't turn so any side to side motion , the brunt of which is handle by the side wall weaking the the side wall so you want it to be a strong as possible, they are car tires for a reason.
I would go with any recomendation Dr Dan Or Madpoodle give they tow a LOT every year


Matty

[Rootsy]

Phil,

i put marathons on my single axle under the 16 last summer after going through the ORIGINAL trailer tires and then cutting a sidwall on new temporary elcheapo car tires on it... best deal i could come across around here was belle tire @ about 60/ea for ST205/75R14 C rated marathons... On the Rim and Out THE DOOR...

so far so good and they made it to AOTH and back without issue and they pull really nicely... :) next Trial will be those canadian roads to 1000 islands :D

[Greg Maier]

Call Carl at Carl King Tires. His email is rustybore@worldnet.att.net He runs a little Mom and Pop tire store and does a lot of discount mail order business. I got some 14 inch Carlisle Radials from him for $71 each including the galvanized rim.

[MOP]

I have been to the local dealers $90+ really greedy buggers. There must be one dealer on Long Island thats decent.

[jr]

Try trailertire.com. The prices they have include shipping.

[MOP]

Called Tire Rack got the Marathons! Shipped to my door $141.00 not bad $40 less than the local buggers. I asked about warantee, they said any Good Year dealer must warantee so that make liars out of the locals. Thanks to everyone for your input, now my scruffy 16 will make it up to the 1000 Is Gig!

[Trueser]

Goodyear Marathons are the ticket. Just replaced mine because all 4 Carlisle's were shot.

Talked with a local boat hauler and thats all he uses.

Trueser

[riverrat]

I'm running carlisle radials on my trailer and they ride & handle good. not sure of the load rating but it's high. I run 45 psi on the single axle trailer pulling the 18. & I'm very happy.
my 2 cents.. :D

[smoothie]

Same here,I just put some carlisle radials on,class D rating and the boat seems to pull better,in fact when I lowered the jack my boat started to roll out of the garage,never had that happen before. :D

[BUIZILLA]

Smoothie, what size are your D spec readils?

J

[smoothie]

J,they are ST225/75R15,rated at 2540 lbs.max at 65 psi,mounted on a 6 lug 15" rim.I have a single axle trailer.