Hey y’all!! I’m in the market for new tires for my boat trailer. It’s the start of the third season on these and to be honest, they aren’t wearing well, so I want to get them replaced before I’m sitting on the side of the road.
I’ve got 13″ 175/80(i think) tires on the trailer now.
What should I be looking for when it comes to trailer tires?? What questions should I be asking the tire stores? Does it matter, just get a set of medium priced radials and go??
Thanks!!
John 
Hey Kooty
Probably don’t want to skimp on trailer tires if you are putting a lot of miles on.
I put new Goodyears on mine. The dealer installed them for free and I did not have to have the boat off the trailer.
JB
PS….Aren’t you supposed to be working??? 
John I have always had good luck with trailer tires from Northern Tool + Equipment
Most guys will tell you to go with radials, the tires that came on my trailer are radials. I bought a Bias Ply for my spare as I figure I will not go that far on the spare.
Here is an ARTICLE I found from a quick google search. I have went with Bias Ply tires for my boat trailers in the past and have not had any problems.
Typical “I drive a Ranger” attitude. Spend the most you can!! 
Sorry buddy, didn’t mean to jump down your throat. I really had no idea where to start. I don’t want cheap, but I don’t think I need to break the bank if I’m going to need to replace them every 2 years. I was thinking about it this morning, my trailer doesn’t have that many miles for the tires to be worn like they are. I just put on 2000 going to Erie, but I bet in 2 years I only had another 3000 total. So, 5000 miles just isn’t that much for a set of tires in my opinion.
Thanks for the article Steve, I’ll read it tonight, when I’m not at work!!! 
On “most” boat trailers, the only difference between a trailer rated for 2000 lbs and one that is rated for say 2800 lbs is the tires that are on the trailer. You should first do a little research to find out if your trailer has tires that maximize the total gross weight rating. Many times, the dealer put on the wrong tires or the tires that maximize their bottom line. Most often, the trailer rating is close to maxing out with a new “Dry” boat. No equipment, no gas, no tackle, etc. There is probably good reason your tires did not last long.
I am on my 5th season with a set of Goodyear. They look to be in very good condition.
Good luck.
-J.
Thanks Jon!! What your saying doesn’t surprise me at all knowing how most businesses are run now days. Ask Stickboy how happy he is with our dealer.
John,
If you get yourself a good set of radials, you’ll be much happier. Both Cabela’s and Bass Pro offer Titan and Goodyear. You can buy the tire only or the whole shebang.
Tire only will run you 80 to 90 bucks each. But then you’ll have to have them mounted and balanced. Buckshot’s suggestion was a good one (though I hate to admit it 
) You should be able to get a tire shop to mount and balance either free or at a reduced rate if you buy the tires there.
Also, keep a very close eye on tire pressure too. It makes a big difference on wear, especially on a trailer. I’m also careful to trailer my boat with the lightest load possible and avoid pulling around a full tank of fuel. If you’re pulling a Ranger with 2 axles and 4 tires, it’s not a big deal, but on a small single axle trailer, it will make a huge difference.
Jon,
I assume then that your Goodyears are radials?
Quote:
On “most” boat trailers, the only difference between a trailer rated for 2000 lbs and one that is rated for say 2800 lbs is the tires that are on the trailer. You should first do a little research to find out if your trailer has tires that maximize the total gross weight rating. Many times, the dealer put on the wrong tires or the tires that maximize their bottom line. Most often, the trailer rating is close to maxing out with a new “Dry” boat. No equipment, no gas, no tackle, etc. There is probably good reason your tires did not last long.
I am on my 5th season with a set of Goodyear. They look to be in very good condition.
Good luck.
-J.
I just got off the phone with Goodyear here in Maple Grove. They will mount and balance an E class load rated tire for $69.00 + tax. That’s as good of a deal as I’ve found.
Yes, Goodyear radials.
I don’t know anything about “Load Class” and which class is better.
The ones in Cabela’s are “C class”. I know that what Jon J. said about the only difference in weight ratings on trailers are the load ratings on the tires is true. Do some more homework before you run out and buy something.
If you have a Tiremaxx near you, call them and tell them you need a good trailer tire. You will want a good radial or they will wear uneven. The tires that come with most boats trailers are junk to say the least. I used to wear them out in one year. Trailer tires is not the spot you want to cut corners if you are looking to save money, especially if you have a single axel trailer.
Kooty, How did your tire situation work out?
Tuesday of this week I blew out a tire on my way back from Mille Lacs on 169. It bent up my fender and knocked out a running light on my Eagle trailer. The trailer came with a 205-75-R14 made by Carlisle(sp?). I took it to Fleet Farm that sells this brand and the 2 year warranty from the date code on the tire expired mid April of 2005, of course. I am debating to buy another set of the Carlisle again ($75 each w/mounting) or buy the Goodyear Marathon at $89 each.
Anyones advise would be appreciated 
.
I found a set of used tires, rims and a spare for a heck of a deal. The tires(marathon’s) have been great so far. I have trailered to Devils and back so far. I can’t see any wear. If you have any other questions, let me know.
Quote:
Kooty, How did your tire situation work out?
Tuesday of this week I blew out a tire on my way back from Mille Lacs on 169. It bent up my fender and knocked out a running light on my Eagle trailer. The trailer came with a 205-75-R14 made by Carlisle(sp?). I took it to Fleet Farm that sells this brand and the 2 year warranty from the date code on the tire expired mid April of 2005, of course. I am debating to buy another set of the Carlisle again ($75 each w/mounting) or buy the Goodyear Marathon at $89 each.
Anyones advise would be appreciated
I have blown 3 of these tires of this brand. One was my fault. I’m not very good at checking my tire pressure which could play a part too but I am not running this brand anymore. Anyone else have any problems with this brand? I would go with radials too. Much better tire and ride. My spare is not a radial as someplace told me they had one when I needed it and a few months later I noticed it wasn’t. 
Its my spare now.
Thanks, Bill
a quick little note….The construction company I work for has about a dozen trailers, some tandems, some single axles, and we’ve found that it never pays to go cheap. We actually have started using Cooper tires on every trailer as the tires wear out, and we have one trailer that has a hub meter on it…The tires have over 25,000 miles on them and still look really good, and I believe we put the tires on about 5 years ago.
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