TRAILER TIRES: Effect of Increasing Diameter

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Author Topic:   TRAILER TIRES: Effect of Increasing Diameter

bben posted 03-06-2006 09:39 PM ET (US)
I have read a lot about trailer tires and determined that the larger [the diameter of the tire] the better in some circumstances and that a radial like the Goodyear MARATHON TRAILER RADIAL TIRE seems to be the best way to go for continual long trailering.
Can I increase the size of my standard 12-inch wheel and bias ply tires for my new 150 Montauk without creating problems? Should I go up to 13-inch or 14inch wheels?
I would then go with a radial tire.
I will be trailering at least twice a year back and forth to Florida from Pennsylvania, about 2,400 miles round trip each time. Thank you for any thoughts orrecommendations.
Buckda posted 03-06-2006 09:45 PM ET (US)
First, ensure that your hubs and then the fenders on the trailer can take it.
Next, you need to prepare that the 14 inch tires keeps the boat about 2 inches taller for launching...not that the 150 is difficult to launch, however it will make a difference.
I agree that the Goodyear Marathon radials are the best bet for long-distance trailering, but I'm not sure I'd worry about it until you wear out your current tires, and focus on preparing the trailer for that long of a trip...spare tire, spare hub kit, etc.
Dave
davej14 posted 03-08-2006 09:30 AM ET (US)
If you keep the pressure in your bias ply tires at the recommended maximum cold inflation pressure you should not have any problems, at least that has been my experience.
It is more important that you have a spare, a jack, a lug wrench that will fir the trailer lugs and a pump. I would install a set of bearing buddies on the hubs and grease them up with high temp marine grade bearing grease before the trip.
A good idea from someone else on this site was to mount the spare tire on the passenger side of the trailer. This way you are out of harms way when you are accessing it on the side of the highway.
Jerry Townsend posted 03-08-2006 11:10 AM ET (US)
The benefits of a larger wheel/tire include:
1) lower RPM of the trailer wheels, and
2) larger wheel/tires use hubs designed and built for higher loads.
Calculate the trailer wheel RPM as:
RPM_t = RPM_v * dia_v / dia_t
where the "t" refers to the trailer
and the "v" refers to the tow vehicle
and the "dia" refers to the diameter of the mounted and inflated tire.
You don't mention your tow vehicle - but it would be a good idea to have the same tire type (radial/radial : bias/bias)on the tow vehicle and the trailer - but with a relatively long distance from the tow vehicle to the trailer axle, this affect is minimal. This affect is important on the front and rear axles of a relatively short wheel-base vehicle.
And in my opinion, having radials on the trailer is not a requisite - the bias ply tires do the job nicely. ---- Jerry/Idaho
bben posted 03-08-2006 06:33 PM ET (US)
Thank you all. The tow vehicle is an 2005 Honda Odyssey with radials. If I make the switch, I will wait until the bias tires wear out and then check the clearance on the fender prior to moving up a size.
skookum point posted 03-09-2006 02:04 AM ET (US)
I switched from 12 inch to 13 inch wheels/tires and it made a big difference in the amount of heat that could be felt on the tread when I would stop for gas on long distance (1,000 mile) non-stop 70mph trips.
It was easy enough to space the fenders higher using some galvanized trailer parts(intended for different purpose)I found at Boaters World. However, when I bolted on the new 13 wheel/tire they rubbed on the frame - different offsets at the hub. I had to replace the axle with a new one that was about 3 or 4 inches wider and then everything worked out great. I would definately recommend going to 13 inch tires but don't think 14 inchers are really necessary.

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Author	Topic: TRAILER TIRES: Effect of Increasing Diameter
bben	posted 03-06-2006 09:39 PM ET (US) I have read a lot about trailer tires and determined that the larger [the diameter of the tire] the better in some circumstances and that a radial like the Goodyear MARATHON TRAILER RADIAL TIRE seems to be the best way to go for continual long trailering. Can I increase the size of my standard 12-inch wheel and bias ply tires for my new 150 Montauk without creating problems? Should I go up to 13-inch or 14inch wheels? I would then go with a radial tire. I will be trailering at least twice a year back and forth to Florida from Pennsylvania, about 2,400 miles round trip each time. Thank you for any thoughts orrecommendations.
Buckda	posted 03-06-2006 09:45 PM ET (US) First, ensure that your hubs and then the fenders on the trailer can take it. Next, you need to prepare that the 14 inch tires keeps the boat about 2 inches taller for launching...not that the 150 is difficult to launch, however it will make a difference. I agree that the Goodyear Marathon radials are the best bet for long-distance trailering, but I'm not sure I'd worry about it until you wear out your current tires, and focus on preparing the trailer for that long of a trip...spare tire, spare hub kit, etc. Dave
davej14	posted 03-08-2006 09:30 AM ET (US) If you keep the pressure in your bias ply tires at the recommended maximum cold inflation pressure you should not have any problems, at least that has been my experience. It is more important that you have a spare, a jack, a lug wrench that will fir the trailer lugs and a pump. I would install a set of bearing buddies on the hubs and grease them up with high temp marine grade bearing grease before the trip. A good idea from someone else on this site was to mount the spare tire on the passenger side of the trailer. This way you are out of harms way when you are accessing it on the side of the highway.
Jerry Townsend	posted 03-08-2006 11:10 AM ET (US) The benefits of a larger wheel/tire include: 1) lower RPM of the trailer wheels, and 2) larger wheel/tires use hubs designed and built for higher loads. Calculate the trailer wheel RPM as: RPM_t = RPM_v * dia_v / dia_t where the "t" refers to the trailer and the "v" refers to the tow vehicle and the "dia" refers to the diameter of the mounted and inflated tire. You don't mention your tow vehicle - but it would be a good idea to have the same tire type (radial/radial : bias/bias)on the tow vehicle and the trailer - but with a relatively long distance from the tow vehicle to the trailer axle, this affect is minimal. This affect is important on the front and rear axles of a relatively short wheel-base vehicle. And in my opinion, having radials on the trailer is not a requisite - the bias ply tires do the job nicely. ---- Jerry/Idaho
bben	posted 03-08-2006 06:33 PM ET (US) Thank you all. The tow vehicle is an 2005 Honda Odyssey with radials. If I make the switch, I will wait until the bias tires wear out and then check the clearance on the fender prior to moving up a size.
skookum point	posted 03-09-2006 02:04 AM ET (US) I switched from 12 inch to 13 inch wheels/tires and it made a big difference in the amount of heat that could be felt on the tread when I would stop for gas on long distance (1,000 mile) non-stop 70mph trips. It was easy enough to space the fenders higher using some galvanized trailer parts(intended for different purpose)I found at Boaters World. However, when I bolted on the new 13 wheel/tire they rubbed on the frame - different offsets at the hub. I had to replace the axle with a new one that was about 3 or 4 inches wider and then everything worked out great. I would definately recommend going to 13 inch tires but don't think 14 inchers are really necessary.