Trailer tires - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Performance
  Trailer tires

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Trailer tires

acseatsri posted 07-31-2004 08:35 PM ET (US)
When I got home today, I noticed a bubble about the size of an egg on the sidewall of my trailer tire. It is a Carlisle ST 205/75D 14. Tires and trailer are about 5 years old. I know they need replacement, but what would the best replacement be? Air pressure is checked before every outing and maintained at the rec'd 50 psi, as well as hubs checked at the end of every long haul for excessive heat. The tires always seem to be hotter than the hubs.
Would I be better off with radial tires or stick with the bias-ply? What brand is everyone's favorite who tows any distance?
Of particular note- these tires have nylon cords and develop flat spots when the trailer sits for a brief period.... it goes away in a few miles, but it's annoying and I always stop a mile down the road to see if there's a problem.
Jarhead posted 07-31-2004 10:18 PM ET (US)
Good/Year Marathon radials are widely excepted as one of the best trailer tires on the market.
Backlash posted 07-31-2004 10:24 PM ET (US)
I agree, get the Goodyear Marathon radials. The radials will be much smoother riding than the bias-ply.
brisboats posted 07-31-2004 11:02 PM ET (US)
I also agree with the Goodyear marathon vote. I have not had much luck even with new Carlisle tires.
Brian
jimh posted 08-01-2004 09:53 AM ET (US)
When the Forum was first opened about four years ago, this same question was one of the first to be asked. The answers given are still applicable.
See:
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000003.html
Pay attention particularly to the comments from Walt Steffens, an avid Boston Whaler boater who was in the tire business for many years.
jimh posted 08-01-2004 10:00 AM ET (US)
[Moved article from GENERAL forum.]
acseatsri posted 08-01-2004 11:15 AM ET (US)
To everyone- THANKS! I guess I'll be buying Goodyear Marathons tomorrow. The Tire Rack even gave specs for rim widths. I'll be checking them to see if I can upsize one notch for slightly more load carrying ability.
Backlash posted 08-01-2004 05:04 PM ET (US)
Good choice on going with the Marathons...however I would not recommend moving up to the 215x75R14's. The 205x75R14's are the most popular trailer tire sold and consequently this is what most dealers stock. The 215x75R14's are usually not stocked by most dealers and must be ordered and, from my experience, were considerably more expensive. Just something to consider. IMO not worth the extra expense.
acseatsri posted 08-02-2004 05:32 PM ET (US)
Interestingly enough, the 215's were easier to get than the 205's and were $1 only more apiece (maybe in stock and lower cost?). The pair was $200 mounted, balanced, taxes, and new valve stems. The online price was $160 with shipping, excluding balancing and mounting, so I think the price I paid was roughly inline.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Trailer tires
acseatsri	posted 07-31-2004 08:35 PM ET (US) When I got home today, I noticed a bubble about the size of an egg on the sidewall of my trailer tire. It is a Carlisle ST 205/75D 14. Tires and trailer are about 5 years old. I know they need replacement, but what would the best replacement be? Air pressure is checked before every outing and maintained at the rec'd 50 psi, as well as hubs checked at the end of every long haul for excessive heat. The tires always seem to be hotter than the hubs. Would I be better off with radial tires or stick with the bias-ply? What brand is everyone's favorite who tows any distance? Of particular note- these tires have nylon cords and develop flat spots when the trailer sits for a brief period.... it goes away in a few miles, but it's annoying and I always stop a mile down the road to see if there's a problem.
Jarhead	posted 07-31-2004 10:18 PM ET (US) Good/Year Marathon radials are widely excepted as one of the best trailer tires on the market.
Backlash	posted 07-31-2004 10:24 PM ET (US) I agree, get the Goodyear Marathon radials. The radials will be much smoother riding than the bias-ply.
brisboats	posted 07-31-2004 11:02 PM ET (US) I also agree with the Goodyear marathon vote. I have not had much luck even with new Carlisle tires. Brian
jimh	posted 08-01-2004 09:53 AM ET (US) When the Forum was first opened about four years ago, this same question was one of the first to be asked. The answers given are still applicable. See: http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000003.html Pay attention particularly to the comments from Walt Steffens, an avid Boston Whaler boater who was in the tire business for many years.
jimh	posted 08-01-2004 10:00 AM ET (US) [Moved article from GENERAL forum.]
acseatsri	posted 08-01-2004 11:15 AM ET (US) To everyone- THANKS! I guess I'll be buying Goodyear Marathons tomorrow. The Tire Rack even gave specs for rim widths. I'll be checking them to see if I can upsize one notch for slightly more load carrying ability.
Backlash	posted 08-01-2004 05:04 PM ET (US) Good choice on going with the Marathons...however I would not recommend moving up to the 215x75R14's. The 205x75R14's are the most popular trailer tire sold and consequently this is what most dealers stock. The 215x75R14's are usually not stocked by most dealers and must be ordered and, from my experience, were considerably more expensive. Just something to consider. IMO not worth the extra expense.
acseatsri	posted 08-02-2004 05:32 PM ET (US) Interestingly enough, the 215's were easier to get than the 205's and were $1 only more apiece (maybe in stock and lower cost?). The pair was $200 mounted, balanced, taxes, and new valve stems. The online price was $160 with shipping, excluding balancing and mounting, so I think the price I paid was roughly inline.