What tires to get ugh!

[Matt Phillips]

One of the first things I did in 2012 when I got my boat was remove the cheap bias ply tires that came with it. It cost about $400 to install them at my local Americs's Tire and I went with the Maxxi's (the Goodyears were second on the list but the local guy recommended these). I tow about 2000-2500 miles per year and in fours seasons have about 8k miles on them and they still look great. I do rotate them every two years which helps as the front tires will scrub more than the rears on a dual axel trailer.

For me, the immediate change was that the trailer tracked straighter and pulled much quieter going down the road. Out here in CA, we can only tow at 55 legally so I'm not as familiar with the higher speeds others tow at. Regardless, one of the fastest killers of trailer tires is running them too low air pressure. I run mine at the max 50 pounds and tow in 100+ weather with no problems.

My advice is to go with a good tire regardless...I see it as insurance against being "one of those boat trailers with a flat tire on a Sunday afternoon."

For me, I won't go back to radials.

 

[ncnmra]

This may be an unpopular answer but I had my local tire shop install Greenball Tow Master tires at the beginning of summer 2013.

Costco in the US sells these. I had a bad experience. Bought new (to me) boat, towed from MI to ON, took it out the first week and had a massive bulge in rear right tire. Previous owner claimed they were all changed the prior year (and they still had the nibs on them so I believe it). Couldn't find them anywhere in Canada, so said "screw-it" and put on 5 x Goodyear Marathons (including spare) that are widely available here.

Big thing to consider, is if you DO have to replace a tire, that you can still get them in the future. The Goodyear's seem to be a staple item. Been using them for many years on my Dad's boat trailer. I don't like the idea of mixing tire models.

One thing for sure: STAY FAR AWAY from "Carlise".

 

[KXCam22]

I am considering going to an LT tire like the BFG all terrain TA KO. That's what many put on industrial trailers since they handle the abuse. Cam.

 

[motorboater]

Bias-ply tires are probably good for the farm, or for lighter duty trailers, but are a liability on the highway for a trailer this size. I can tell you with 100% certainty that there is less rolling resistance and less heat buildup with a radial tire. The difference you can literally feel from the drivers seat. Your trailer will tow easier, you'll use less fuel, with have a smoother ride and less driver's fatigue. My personal favorite are Goodyear Marathons, however any radial is superior to a bias ply in this application regardless of trip length.

 

[Wayloncle]

I am considering going to an LT tire like the BFG all terrain TA KO. That's what many put on industrial trailers since they handle the abuse. Cam.

I love these tires on my truck, I've had them on my last 3 trucks. But I've always thought they were overkill on a trailer, unless it was a heavy trailer being pulled a lot on rough roads or something.

 

[ACrews]

Does anyone know the wheel bolt pattern on the 2015 model trailers?

 

[john94si]

I replaced mine with new rims and radials.. it is SO much better.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/new-shorelander-trailer-falling-apart.5789/page-3#post-116750

 

[ACrews]

I replaced mine with new rims and radials.. it is SO much better.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/new-shorelander-trailer-falling-apart.5789/page-3#post-116750

@john94si That looks sharp. I'm probably gonna update wheels and tires on mine well but wondering if you remember the bolt pattern size on wheels. I could have sworn it is written someone in paperwork to trailer, but not 100% on that.

 

[john94si]

I think they are basic 5x1.25

I got mine form recstuff






Hello xxxxxxx,

This email has been sent to inform you that your order from RecStuff.com, #3xxx has been updated to a status of Shipped.

Order Details
Order Number: 3xxxx

Order Date: 6/24/2015 10:03 AM

Shipping Method: Free Shipping

Tracking Number(s):

Payment Method: Credit card payment

Product Information
Product Name

Part No.

Quantity

Item Price

Total Price

ST215/75R14 Load Range C Radial Trailer Tire - Kenda Loadstar
TR402

4

$99.95

$399.80

Balance Your Trailer Tire and Wheel Assembly
Balance

4

$7.50

$30.00

14X5.5 5 Bolt on 4.5" Aluminum T08 Trailer Wheel Silver
WA4T83

4

$65.09

$260.36


Subtotal:

$690.16

Discounts:

-$34.51

Shipping & Handling:

$0.00

Tax:

$0.00

Order Total:

$655.65

 

[rkluck]

I just put tires on my trailer as well (see A Quick Trailer Wheel Question). I got the radials with rims and shipping for $308 on Amazon. I have pictures of the tires as well.

 

[OCMD]

Any thoughts? I have narrowed my choice down to these:

$126 with galvanized rims, Good Year Marathons BUT ONLY A C LOAD RATING!

http://www.easternmarine.com/goodyear-marathon-st205-75r-14-radial-tire-galv-rim-lr-c

OR WHAT SEEMS TO BE A BETTER TIRE as the load rating is D, as opposed to C above. (Does the load rating make a difference for our boats?)

LoadStars with a D rating for $88.50 but I put them on my current wheels.

http://www.easternmarine.com/loadstar-st205-75r-14-radial-tire-load-range-d-1

The sales guy at Eastern Marine who could have sold me the more expensive but C load rating with a tire for more, said the Loadstars are fine and just stick 'em on my current wheels.

Any and all comments welcome, I am leaning towards the D rated LoadStar Radials.

Thanks!

 

[Matt Phillips]

I've never heard of the LoadStar Radials. Most people tend to use either the Goodyear or Maxxi's. I have the Maxxi's on my trailer and like them a lot. Mounted and balanced on the stock wheels they were about $100 each at America's Tire (that was in 2012 though).

As for C vs. D load rating, check what the max is? with a tandem trailer, you may not need the D rating.

 

[Bruce]

@OCMD, the C load rated tires match the axle capacity of our trailers. I do not see any harm in stepping up to the D rated tires but the Cs are sufficient.

 

[robert843]

Any thoughts? I have narrowed my choice down to these:

$126 with galvanized rims, Good Year Marathons BUT ONLY A C LOAD RATING!

http://www.easternmarine.com/goodyear-marathon-st205-75r-14-radial-tire-galv-rim-lr-c

OR WHAT SEEMS TO BE A BETTER TIRE as the load rating is D, as opposed to C above. (Does the load rating make a difference for our boats?)

LoadStars with a D rating for $88.50 but I put them on my current wheels.

http://www.easternmarine.com/loadstar-st205-75r-14-radial-tire-load-range-d-1

The sales guy at Eastern Marine who could have sold me the more expensive but C load rating with a tire for more, said the Loadstars are fine and just stick 'em on my current wheels.

Any and all comments welcome, I am leaning towards the D rated LoadStar Radials.

Thanks!

Load Stars are one of the most durable trailer tires made. I wouldn't hesitate to go with either. Below is a review from another site on the Loadstar.

Only load range D available Review by Pete
Rating


I had a bad tire failure on by boat trailer. The tires were Goodyear Marathon load range C. I looked at many sources, the Loadstar appears to be the only load range D tire available for a 14" wheel.

The price paid was very fair, delivery was quick, so my purchase experience was great. As for the tires, only time will tell. Yes they are made in China, but what isn't these days. The company seems to have a good reputation.

(Posted on 3/3/2015)

 

[OCMD]

Holy Crap! (@Bruce maybe you want to move this thread to the "Post a bargain" thread)
So I narrowed down my trailer tires to Goodyears or Maxxis. I called 2 vendors and both recommended the Maxxis over the Goodyears. The price difference was insignificant, $1.00 and I don't even know which tire was $91 and which tire was $92. The kicker?
At Discount Tire, on line, apply for their credit card and get a $60 visa gift card rebate mailed to you, and buy 4 tires? Get another visa gift card, for $100. This is $160 bucks off the price of $368. Throw in FREE SHIPPING and NO STATE TAX and I am getting 4 radial Maxxi tires for my trailer (C rated) for $308 or $77 each. For those thinking they can find a better price, I did check with another online place, where they were advertised at $65.99. Then, you had to play $23 shipping for a cost of $89 plus your state tax. So I am going with the below link, I think the coupons for $160 off total expire on Feb. 15. If you are looking for radial trailer tires, this is the place to go this week, but hurry.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findPromotions.do?pgid=2103

 

[robert843]

Holy Crap! (@Bruce maybe you want to move this thread to the "Post a bargain" thread)
So I narrowed down my trailer tires to Goodyears or Maxxis. I called 2 vendors and both recommended the Maxxis over the Goodyears. The price difference was insignificant, $1.00 and I don't even know which tire was $91 and which tire was $92. The kicker?
At Discount Tire, on line, apply for their credit card and get a $60 visa gift card rebate mailed to you, and buy 4 tires? Get another visa gift card, for $100. This is $160 bucks off the price of $368. Throw in FREE SHIPPING and NO STATE TAX and I am getting 4 radial Maxxi tires for my trailer (C rated) for $308 or $77 each. For those thinking they can find a better price, I did check with another online place, where they were advertised at $65.99. Then, you had to play $23 shipping for a cost of $89 plus your state tax. So I am going with the below link, I think the coupons for $160 off total expire on Feb. 15. If you are looking for radial trailer tires, this is the place to go this week, but hurry.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findPromotions.do?pgid=2103

Is this including new rims or just the tires?

 

[Wayloncle]

Wow, I wasn't planning on getting tired for a couple more months but that deal might do it for me.
How much is it to get a tire mounted and balanced?

I put new Maxxis on my camper in May last year before moving from FL to TX, I have no complaints about them.

Edit: auto corrected to tired instead of tires, that's funny cause I wish I wasn't going to be tired for a couple months.

 

[OCMD]

That was for tires only. My rims (and yours I'm sure) will be fine. I'm just taking them to my auto mechanic to mount and balance them. I called around a few places and most were very helpful. One actually said to avoid the Goodyears if I could, and get Maxxis. Another said avoid Carlisles and Goodyears. No idea why, one said something about returns coming back on 'em. I will add avoid Kumhos as I had them on my Benz and they were pure garbage.

I'm glad I decided to take a look today, as I was expecting about 90-100 bucks per tire and now with 160 off? Much better deal but you have to act fast.

For future reference, avoid buying tires at Costco. One of my experts said they buy crap at a discount that has been sitting in warehouses for years, then sell them to members. There is some truth to this, and the ones I bought from them years ago had dry rot quicker than they should have. I bought my kid a nice GoPro for Christmas at a decent price, but it was an older model, not the current model which they did not sell....must have bought a "lot" of old Go Pros and sold them to members. No problem with an older model GoPro at a fair price but I will never buy "early dry rot" Michelins from Costco ever again.

 

[scokill]

You will see good and bad stories for all brands. Trailer tires really need to be replaced every 3-4 years regardless of mileage or tread wear...obviously sooner if there is tread wear. Some may get more than 3-4 years depending on storage, etc., but this has been my experience. We are starting 9th season and I'm on 3rd set of tires that I just put on because my last set literally rotted. They were installed in 2012 and the boat is stored outside....had plenty of tread. I got 4 seasons out of original Bias, and 4 seasons out of Carslile Radial. I went back with cheaper bias tire. I do need to replace bearings this year, but when they had the tires off there was no grease blowout and the hub rolled easily and smoothly. Brakes were also fine. Good time to check when you are replacing tires.

 

[SCP1]

I replaced mine with new rims and radials.. it is SO much better.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/new-shorelander-trailer-falling-apart.5789/page-3#post-116750

Looks sweet. I was thinking of getting a spare, however after seeing this I might have 2 spares!