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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/18/2006 : 13:07:14

Does your life feel like it's purpose is to serve as a warning for others? Do you see things that in your heart you know should be done, but you simply continue to stare at them. I have four new Goodyear Marathon "D" 225-75-15 tires on my trailer today. One I got to put on in a farmers driveway myself at 7:30 this morning. It was 40 degrees & blowing 20+ with heavy mist. Actually I took the shredded tire and rim off at 7:30 and returned an hour later with the new tire, the mist stopped; yea. I had them balanced but the Goodyear store wasn't sure I should bother, is that odd?

So, as you look at your 20 something tires and admire the tread depth while marveling at the dried side-walls that look like National Geographic photos of a dried mud flat, make the call, find the new tires, get it done now. Ever tried to get a floor jack under a drop axle in a gravel driveway? Jack trailer frame, set jack stands under frame, put floor jack under axle that is now high enough to clear. When you get back jack it up a lot more because the flat tire was ... flat!

Will I get a spare? Probably not but if I were a real trailer sailor I would. A jobber box at the front of the trailer with jacks and stuff? Same answer.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 10/18/2006 13:08:36

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2006 : 13:20:46

Last year when I had a flat tire, I was fortunate enough to have it infront of a very kindly marine store called 'The Marina' in Sicamous BC.
I was out front their store trying to use my 1.5ton floor jack. It did not lift the trailer. A former trucker, employed by the Marina, came out with his big shop floor jack and changed the tire for me.
He told me that trailer owners should be more aware of their sidewalls than the rest of their tires.

Any shop that doesn't insist on balancing a tire is negligent.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2006 : 14:20:10

Hopper, get the spare. My spare wheel and heavy duty trailer tire cost less than $70 together. Plus, you know how it works, if you have a spare you'll never get a flat.

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2006 : 18:17:46

I put four new tires on my Trailrite trailer last year and kept the tire and rim that looked the best for the spare, also some one on this forum stated you could use a 2x4 under the good tire to raise/change out the other flat one. Also when not in use I cover my trailer tires with black leaf bags.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2006 : 18:37:52

and another thing:

Did you know that valve stems are rated for different pressures?
Don't ask me how I found this out on my boat trailer.

For example, if you have load Range D tires on your trailer, (you do have that don't you), you need a high pressure valve stem. A standard duty stem may blow out, as did two of mine.
So when I got back from the Keys last winter I went to the first tire shop and was told there was no such thing. I left. Went to Sears of all places, and the service guy said that they did in fact have them, and that they install them on all higher pressure truck and trailer tires. So rather than losing another tire to a blown out valve stem, to say nothing of losing a tire while on a trip, I had all tires fitted with high pressure stems, and balanced too. So they had to remove the tires to do that, as there is some kind of nut on the inside of the rim. 130 bucks later, I have a safer trailer.

Edited by - on

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
859 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2006 : 19:43:11

This brings up a related topic.
What tire pressure should you use?
I think mine are rated for 50psi max.
That seems pretty high so I used 40psi cold.
Russ (C250WB #793)

Edited by - on

John P
Captain

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USA
324 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2006 : 07:42:36

Tires, Rims, Axles, Springs, Nuts, Bolts, all should be inspected every season. Especially in the salt air/water climate.

I had a horrible experience trailer a run-about from Daytona, back to New York state back in '01. The trailer was new to me and inspected, yet the axle was rusted out from the inside. Using as many McGiver tricks that I could muster, I limped to Rocky Mount, NC, where I stopped at a marina and 2 weeks later (and $850 lighter in the pocket), I had a trailer with two new wheels/tires, new springs, axles, etc. The entire rig looked good to start, but was very rusted in reality. The fact that the axle did not fall apart on I-95 and cause a huge accident is unbelievable!

Inspect your trailers, and maintain them.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.