Trail America bad tires

[jlongsta]

We've got about 800-900 miles on our new Suntracker 21' boat trailer. The tires are junk. We just had to purchase new tires as we are 75 miles from the dealer in Ponca City, OK. No way we would have driven on these tires on the turnpike. The dealer is ignoring us. I love how much they "love" you until after the purchase! These tires were made in China. They were manufactured in 2009 and were on our 2011 boat trailer. I'm not sure if the age is an issue. The boat has always been stored in a covered storage area.

[badmoonrising]

Looks like cupping or feathering damage. If the tires were properly inflated, then it looks like an axle alignment issue. I'd harass the hell out of the dealer until they fix it.

[jlongsta]

My husband had checked the tire pressure and it was fine. We'll have the alignment checked on the trailer.

[rancherlee]

I'm going to guess that ou have a single axle trailer under your pontoon boat. Those tires were either over loaded or under inflated to wear like that. First look to see what the axle tag says the axle is rated for then if the axles can handle the weight jump up a rim size/higher load rating if you have the room. I've seen alot of 20-22' pontoons SOLD with a single axle trailer that's over loaded from the get go, then you add gas, coolers, and other toys and they become a ticking time bomb. Worse yet is some of these trailers are coming with only 2000# rated axles!

[ronb]

I was thinking the same thing, that first picture where the center tread is still 'good' looking but the edges are worn down is usually an indicator that the tire was underflated, the tire shoulders will end up taking up all the weight and the center tread will fold/buckle back into the center.

The second picture looks like the axle is out of alignment causing the tire to sit funny and wear out.

-ron

[sgpwayne]

Never had a problem with my tracker trailer. Original tires have been on since 2005, replaced them about a month ago because of age, they still looked good. Had approximately 15/16,000 miles on them. Looks to me like an alignment problem, probably toe in/ toe out you will need to take it to a frame alignment shop if the axle needs to be bent. If you can wait to replace the tires try e-trailer.com and look at the kenda tires they are a very good tire and fairly priced. I upgraded to a load range D tire for extra safety it is actually an 8 ply tire and they have both radial and bias ply tires. Good Luck WAYNE

[HandymanHerb]

Could just be the china made tires, I know they didn't work on the front of my truck, to much weight, but my Buddie made it good, so I got the cost of the tires back, took the good one off the spare and bought one more BFG, and he gave me a good used BFG for my spare.

The two on the front separated on me, one day it was pulling hard to the right, I didn't know what was going on but moved the tires to the back as it was time to rotate them and it was all fine, then two days later it was like I had basketballs on the rear, so I drove to the tire shop, he said he stopped selling the tires a while back.

Didn't like the way the one on the back looked, and told me they wouldn't hold the load they are supposed too so we moved the other two to the back and I got another year out of them and put two more BFG Rugged Trial TA's, so now I'm back to BFG's all around.

So I'm betting the tires were crap

[playcat]

I was thinking the same thing, that first picture where the center tread is still 'good' looking but the edges are worn down is usually an indicator that the tire was underflated, the tire shoulders will end up taking up all the weight and the center tread will fold/buckle back into the center.

The second picture looks like the axle is out of alignment causing the tire to sit funny and wear out.

-ron

Agreed. Don't expect any warranty coverage for underinflated tires. But, if you can show the tires/axles were overloaded, you should have a good case. Good luck!

[ROLAND]

Been there done that.... like you, my "trail america" tires on my trailer had less than a thousand miles on them, and then earlier this summer....this is what happened.....



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Don't know if this had anything to do with it, but even though the trailer was only 2 years old, the tires on it were older... so who knows how long they "sat" there... I replaced my trailer tires with Kenda Load star tires... went with radials.... so far, so good, but then again, they've only been on the trailer 2 or 3 months...

[jlongsta]

OMG!! I think if we had run our's one more time, they would have looked like this too! I am very disappointed that Tracker Marine would skimp on tires. Skimp on a cup holder or something; not tires! We replaced our's with Greenball. Our tire dealer said they were good tires even though they are also made in China. We'll see. We will certainly keep an eye on them.

[ROLAND]

jlongsta.... I've got to be honest with you... because of the blowout on my trailer tire I've decided to change out my trailer tires after every 3 seasons..... overkill? Probably... but they're not that expensive and I'd much rather do that then have to change a tire on the side of a Louisiana highway when it's 100 degrees outside.....

[Red555]

Based on the photos, I agree with under-inflated or overloaded.

I am using 50 PSI for a 20' 90 HP single axle. Wear pattern is OK so far and tire isn't hot after a 55 MPH run in 90+ weather.

Max pressure on sidewall is 60 PSI.

[MH Hawker]

What load range are those. The reason I ask is a friend who bought a new 20 foot tracker this summer also had some tire issues and it had load range C tires when it should of had at least D range.

[ROLAND]

MH Hawker... if you're asking me, the tire that blew out was a C load tire.... when I replaced them with the kenda load star, I went with a D load radial.