Bias ply to radial

[mraz72]

Seems like a dumb question, but I am having trouble locating a place to swap my trailer tires. I've tried a performance place near me (I plan on using them for other stuff) and their distributor doesn't have the tire size, so they balked at the job.

I then went to tire rack, I have my 5, goodyear endurace 215/75 -14's in my cart (~$720) and during checkout I can send the tires directly to a tirerack mechanic. The choices are pep-boys and firestone. I called firestone, they want me to bring them the wheels to see if they can do the work. Not on the trailer, I have to bring them a wheel!

I haven't called pep boys yet, but I hesitate to get anything done at pep boys. Really getting work at firestone doesn't seem that thrilling either, but they should know tires.

So, do I just get the tires and stop by local mechanics and ask them to do it? i am thinking it's going to be 20 a tire. thoughts?

 

[2kwik4u]

I just did it "both ways".

Bought tires from TireRack and had them shipped to an installer. Local Big-O installed them for $30/tire (285/40/21's on the Q7) that included mounting and road force balancing.

I also just moved my AR190 over to Radials from BiasPly. The same Big-O got all 3 of my tires for me, and mounted/balanced them for around $180 or so. That's tires and labor. I took them (3) loose tires off the trailer, however he said next time, just drag the boat down to him, and he'll swap them around in the parking lot for me.

I would call your local tire store, and order direct through them. Was the cheapest/easiest for me. Local Big-O is super easy to work with, and does good quality work for a reasonable price.

 

[Mrhdvrod]

I just had mine done at Discount Tire, but i also ordered new wheels (moved to 15”) and good year endurance radials as well. Brought the boat on the trailer they took care of all of it off to the side of the building with floor jacks.

 

[Richard Bares]

I also went to Discount Tire. I ordered the radial tires then scheduled an appt to come in. They had me back up to one of the larger stalls with the boat on the trailer and switched them out no problem. I did that with my 2012 AR190 and plan to do it soon with my 2019 SX210.

 

[lowd77]

If you have a discount tire they take care of everything. I got those endurance tires as well. I didn't bring the trailer to them though I jacked it up and took all the wheels off and just brought the wheels in. Firestone should be able to do the work just fine... The wheels are no different than any other.

 

[mraz72]

We don't have discount tire near me, I'll either use a local tire shop (mr tire) or firestone. I'll bring them the wheels...

@Mrhdvrod, Did you notice anything from moving from 14" to 15" wheels?

 

[Mrhdvrod]

seems a little smoother ride wise, but honestly the longest drive I’ve taken since they were put on was 25 miles. This weekend i head to the keys for a week so it will be the better test. I will say though i personally didn’t change them for any reason other than i got a nail in 2 tires and decided it was a lot easier to find replacements in the middle of nowhere (which is where these things always happen) for 15” radials over 14” bias ply tires

 

[adrianp89]

Support your local tire shop. Mine is about 6 blocks away and they blow the doors off Firestone and PepBoys, both of which are also right down the street.

 

[Babin Farms]

I went with these from a local tire shop for around $60 each. He didn't have them in stock but it only took one day for him to get them. I've had no issues and have 1.5 seasons on them trailering a majority of the time since we decided to not wet slip anymore. Been to FL twice this year, once to northern MI last year and all over within a few hours of home almost every weekend. My guess is that I've got close to 8k miles on them and they still look new.

 

[biffdotorg]

I put Goodyear Marathons on two boat trailers over the years. (predecessor to the Endurance) The first two a local tire shop would put them on my trailer, but had to do it in the parking lot.

The second set of four, I purchased through Sam's club. They had the best price by far, but would not work on my trailer. But since I had a spare, I was able to pull two at a time and use a jack stand, while I would take two into Sams to have them mounted and balanced. Kind of a pain, but at the price and cheap install, it was worth the hassle.

After owning two trailers with these tires, I cannot recommend them more highly. I took my advice from the fishing forums, as those guys put more miles on boat trailers than anyone I knew. And the overwhelming recommendation were Goodyear Marathon, and now the Endurance tires.

 

[Rodder77]

Trailer Parts Superstore - Official Site

Trailer Parts Superstore sells trailer parts and accessories for all sizes of recreational and commercial trailers at discount pricing! Trailer Axles, Brakes, Tires, Fenders & more!

www.easternmarine.com

 

[mraz72]

I think I'm going with Monroe Muffler, they have ~1200 stores nationwide BUT are headquartered right here in Rochester NY!

As a side project my wheel look like crap, different colors etc. I bought some primer and matt black spray paint, I'm going to work on the spare and see how it comes out.

These are galvanized steel wheels right?



I did a quick search on painting galvanized steel and it seems the process is pretty easy
1. steel brush to remove debris
2. wash with dish soap
3. wipe with white vinegar
4. let dry
5. I bought rustoleum auto primer AND automotive matt black

now that I look at the pic, I need new lug nuts as well, not sure what size.

 

[Troy JK]

Ive seen so many radials come apart on trailers that I’ll never but another. Ran my last set of bias plies so long they had no tread left. Replaced them with another set of the same. kenda load range D.
it doesn’t matter to me if radials ride smoother, I don’t ride in the boat until its in the water.

 

[biffdotorg]

Ive seen so many radials come apart on trailers that I’ll never but another. Ran my last set of bias plies so long they had no tread left. Replaced them with another set of the same. kenda load range D.
it doesn’t matter to me if radials ride smoother, I don’t ride in the boat until its in the water.

I’m glad you shared that. As you are the first I have ever heard that from. It’s interesting to note other folks’ experience, especially when it is weighted so heavily in the opposite direction.

 

[viper15]

Ive seen so many radials come apart on trailers that I’ll never but another. Ran my last set of bias plies so long they had no tread left. Replaced them with another set of the same. kenda load range D.
it doesn’t matter to me if radials ride smoother, I don’t ride in the boat until its in the water.

I also have had zero issues with my bias ply tires. There was a bit of vibration when we bought the boat brand new. But for $10 I had the trailer wheels balanced and ever since they run super smooth.

 

[Matt Phillips]

If you're going to do tires, think about wheels too. I got alloy wheels for about $75 delivered from recstuff.com. They made a huge improvement in the looks of the trailer. I then was able to sell my new (less than 10 miles on them) bias ply set up for enough to cover the cost of the wheels. I then bought the tires from America's Tire and had them mounted onto the recstuff wheels.

You'll notice the difference between the bias ply and radial tires in an instant.

 

[mraz72]

Not sure painting the wheels is working out. I tried steel brush, wash, vinegar, rustoleum primer and then rustoleum paint. I can rub the primer off with my finger after 24 hours of drying.

not sure how I can tell which wheels fit, will this fit? (15" wheel as opposed to the 14" that come stock.)

Kenda Karrier ST205/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire with 15" Black Mod Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - LR C Kenda Trailer Tires and Wheels AM32238B (etrailer.com)

 

[mraz72]

coated with primer. Probably ~60% humidity, not sure that's helping.



Dried overnight, hit with two coats of matt black. Less humid but the sun is very hot.



After about 4 hours of sitting in the sun, the wheels where painted feel sandy. Meaning they have grit to them, almost like you are wiping off paint and it's rolling up.

My guess is almost ZERO adhesion of the paint to the steel.

 

[Wayloncle]

coated with primer. Probably ~60% humidity, not sure that's helping.

View attachment 157152

Dried overnight, hit with two coats of matt black. Less humid but the sun is very hot.

View attachment 157153

After about 4 hours of sitting in the sun, the wheels where painted feel sandy. Meaning they have grit to them, almost like you are wiping off paint and it's rolling up.

My guess is almost ZERO adhesion of the paint to the steel.

I’ve never heard of using vinegar before painting something, I’d wipe them down with some Acetone before spraying and see what happens.

 

[Troy JK]

I’m glad you shared that. As you are the first I have ever heard that from. It’s interesting to note other folks’ experience, especially when it is weighted so heavily in the opposite direction.

yep, most of what you find on the net is the “experts“ claiming that radials last longer because they ride smoother and cooler, but I’ll go with personal experience. I’ve seen too many times where the steel belts separate from the rest of the tire And sometimes take Out the fender. A buddy had his tear the whole fender support off at the weld. My guess is it’s because steel doesn’t adhere to rubber very well. trailers also don’t have the suspension that cars have And really take a beating.
anyway, I’m sure this debate will go on as long as ”what oil is best”. ?