Tires

[Itsabouttime]

I ordered two 20.5x8x10 load range E tires that should be at trailer store here in town around 25th. This will give me the two coming off as spares. I plan to replace all the bearings as new tires go on ground. Now for a jack.

http://www.easternmarine.com/easy-lift- ... k-50080578

Does anyone have opinion on this trailer jack that you appear to set and it just rolls up in place to get the flat tire off ground. It looks good and easy but does it work?

[Texoma Toon]

I would be concerned if your trailer was not on level ground when you used it.

[ROLAND]

I would be concerned if your trailer was not on level ground when you used it.

It may indeed work, but curious how "tall" it is.... depending on where you are when you have to change the tire, would you have enough clearance to put in place... I read the reviews on the link you provided... they all seemed to love it.... I noticed someone said to make sure you carry a block of wood with you when using this trailer jack to make sure you have enough ground clearance when putting on the "aired up" spare.... let us know how you like it.. I would much rather carry that around in the back of the suv as opposed to a 2.5 ton hydraulic jack.

[Bamaman]

If I was going very far, I'd either take my floor jack or get a small hydraulic bottle jack to put under the axle--in case of a flat.

[trktrd]

Don't mean to sidetrack, but I was curious as to how much usage you got out of the old tires before they needed to be replaced. I have the same tires and just by their small size, it doesn't appear they would last very long.

[Itsabouttime]

I have no idea on life of the little "lawnmower" tires. I bought the boat and trailer used late last year. Since I know nothing about the tires or bearings I decided $200 +/- for tires and bearings was good insurance. I do know about being broke down on side of road with flat or burned out bearing. Not a good start or end of day of boating or anything else.

[lakerunner]

Don't mean to sidetrack, but I was curious as to how much usage you got out of the old tires before they needed to be replaced. I have the same tires and just by their small size, it doesn't appear they would last very long.

Sun kills more tires than wear.
Keep inflation at cold pressure for max life. If not abused little tires last as long as bib ones.

[bassn386]

Re tkr's question about tires: I read somewhere (several places) that tires should be replaced every 6 years if they don't wear out. It's usually not a problem with car/truck tires because they usually wear out before 6 years unless the vehicle is lightly used. Something about UV rays deteriorating the rubber, I believe.
This past fall I was going to load up the bass boat to take it in for some service. When I went to air up the tires, the valves just pulled right out on both tires. I was going to air up the spare and found out some SOB had taken the valve core right out of the stem. I had to take all three to the local tire guy for new valves and I asked him about the condition of the tires (they're 2006). He said they looked okay but he wouldn't recommend pulling the boat long distances. I think I'll be looking at some new trailer tires this year even though I very seldom pull the boat more than about 80-100 miles a year.

[MH Hawker]

Their is a manufactures date code branded into the side wall of all tires and most last 5 to 6 years depending on use and how strong the sun is in your area. Watch out for buying brand new 3 year old tires it happens a lot.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/ ... ?techid=11

Personally I replace ever 4 to 5 years or is I see any cracking at all, have changed one by the side of the interstate once and I sure do not want to ever do that again. When I bought my new trailer I made sure it has the safety lube hubs I rejected a bunch of trailers because those didn't have those. For that those who don't know what that is its a system that allows you to completely flush and repack a hub in 5 minutes with out having to take it apart.

[HandymanHerb]

Their is a manufactures date code branded into the side wall of all tires and most last 5 to 6 years depending on use and how strong the sun is in your area. Watch out for buying brand new 3 year old tires it happens a lot.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/ ... ?techid=11

Personally I replace ever 4 to 5 years or is I see any cracking at all, have changed one by the side of the interstate once and I sure do not want to ever do that again. When I bought my new trailer I made sure it has the safety lube hubs I rejected a bunch of trailers because those didn't have those. For that those who don't know what that is its a system that allows you to completely flush and repack a hub in 5 minutes with out having to take it apart.

YEP I like em too, a fast grease change and your gone

[ROLAND]

Don't mean to sidetrack, but I was curious as to how much usage you got out of the old tires before they needed to be replaced. I have the same tires and just by their small size, it doesn't appear they would last very long.

Good question... I had a blow out early last summer on one of trailer tires... they were on the trailer when I bought it new 2 years previous so I really didn't expect any trouble from them.. Kept them inflated properly and kept my boat and trailer stored in an indoor facility out of the sun.... as you can see, didn't seem to matter too much..



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The tires that were on the trailer were trail america... I replaced them with kenda load star radials.... I plan on replacing them every three years, would rather be out the expense of a couple of tires every 3 years or so than to be broke down on the side of the hiway in 100 degree louisiana heat.... I don't mind sweating out on the boat, but on the side of the road... that's another animal altogether...

[cleatus]

Roland, what was the load rating on the tire that blew? That could have been nasty if it went into a side to side fishtailing at high speed.
I've got the E rated Loadstars on our trailer, hope to get 4-5 yrs out of them.

[margaritaman]

The advantage of a tandem trailer is if you blow one tire you can still make it home. I had two tires from the same side get flat together so I had to take one tire off the other side and got home with two tires left. My flat on the 10" tires were caused by under inflation and sun rot.

[MH Hawker]

I don't mean to go on and on about this but I feel it is important from a safety aspect. I am very sure it depends on where your are at but around here toon tires don't exactly fly off of the shelf so you really have to watch the date coding very very close. Last year when it was time for a new set I talked to the local tire shop about a set and was offered a good deal, and when the tires came in I went by to have them changed and I asked to look at them first and saw their were brand new 3 year old tires.

The DOT recommends no longer than 6 years so hafe of their life expectancy was gone, and I refused them on those grounds and the tire shop guy went on to explain that didn't really matter and so on. Now the thing is I wont pretend to be any sort of a expert on tires but I do know they start to degrade the second they come out of the mold and I don't mind paying for what ever I buy but I do want what I pay for.

I ended up ordering a set of kendras on line and when delivered those were 4 mounhs old and still in use with no problems what so ever.

I tow on I 64 across WV and the thought of having a flat is a damm dangerous we have semi trucks hauling 60 ton loads running 80 mph, so I am not going to take that risk. I think herb runs across it every now and the locals call it the interstate 500 with good reason.

[HandymanHerb]

Well I was 64 this year for sure, when you said 64 I thought oh no and your right not the place to be having trouble.