Trailer rolls MUCH easier with new radial tires

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Author Topic:   Trailer rolls MUCH easier with new radial tires

Marsh posted 12-10-2004 07:45 PM ET (US)
The OE tires on my Karavan trailer (2004 Montauk 170)exhibited a disturbing wear pattern after only 2,000 miles or so, so I replaced them yesterday with Goodyear Marathon radial trailer tires. I tried moving the rig around in my garage tonight, and was VERY surprised to find that what had previously been a two-handed struggle, was now done with relative ease, using only one hand. I can now grab my bow rail, or winch handle, or even the trailer jack handle, and literally lead the rig around anywhere I want it to go. This was almost impossible before, with the old bias tires. Moving the rig only a couple of inches for hook up to trailer hitch was a struggle before, requiring a two-handed tug, and swift kicks of the trailer jack wheel for momentum. Now it's easy. It's worth the new tires, just for ease of hitching. I can't wait to get her out on the highway to see what it's like. I am convinced that the upgrade to radial trailer tires is a worthwhile performance improvement.
Marsh

Joe Kriz posted 12-10-2004 08:12 PM ET (US)
Marsh,
I just replaced my bias tires on my trailer with Radials also. The biased tires used to bounce and vibrate the trailer more then I liked. They started wearing funny, but then these were old, original bias tires.
Now, going down the road, the trailer no longer bounces and vibrates like it used to. It is very smooth..
I hope neither one of us get anymore weird wear patterns..
Marsh posted 12-11-2004 07:05 PM ET (US)
If you do as I did, and replace the OEM tires, please note that the Goodyear Marathons (radials) are considerably larger tires than the OE Carlisle (bias-ply) of the same stated size: ST185-13. I took mine for a road test today, and found that there was insufficient fender clearance when bumps are encountered. Fortunately, the Karavan trailer fenders are designed to be easily adjusted, to eliminate rubbing of the new, larger tires.
Later,
Marsh
Marsh posted 12-12-2004 08:10 AM ET (US)
Correction:
The tire size is: ST175-80D-13
Regrets,
Marsh

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Author	Topic: Trailer rolls MUCH easier with new radial tires
Marsh	posted 12-10-2004 07:45 PM ET (US) The OE tires on my Karavan trailer (2004 Montauk 170)exhibited a disturbing wear pattern after only 2,000 miles or so, so I replaced them yesterday with Goodyear Marathon radial trailer tires. I tried moving the rig around in my garage tonight, and was VERY surprised to find that what had previously been a two-handed struggle, was now done with relative ease, using only one hand. I can now grab my bow rail, or winch handle, or even the trailer jack handle, and literally lead the rig around anywhere I want it to go. This was almost impossible before, with the old bias tires. Moving the rig only a couple of inches for hook up to trailer hitch was a struggle before, requiring a two-handed tug, and swift kicks of the trailer jack wheel for momentum. Now it's easy. It's worth the new tires, just for ease of hitching. I can't wait to get her out on the highway to see what it's like. I am convinced that the upgrade to radial trailer tires is a worthwhile performance improvement. Marsh
Joe Kriz	posted 12-10-2004 08:12 PM ET (US) Marsh, I just replaced my bias tires on my trailer with Radials also. The biased tires used to bounce and vibrate the trailer more then I liked. They started wearing funny, but then these were old, original bias tires. Now, going down the road, the trailer no longer bounces and vibrates like it used to. It is very smooth.. I hope neither one of us get anymore weird wear patterns..
Marsh	posted 12-11-2004 07:05 PM ET (US) If you do as I did, and replace the OEM tires, please note that the Goodyear Marathons (radials) are considerably larger tires than the OE Carlisle (bias-ply) of the same stated size: ST185-13. I took mine for a road test today, and found that there was insufficient fender clearance when bumps are encountered. Fortunately, the Karavan trailer fenders are designed to be easily adjusted, to eliminate rubbing of the new, larger tires. Later, Marsh
Marsh	posted 12-12-2004 08:10 AM ET (US) Correction: The tire size is: ST175-80D-13 Regrets, Marsh