Trailer Advice

  • fishhunter
    Stillwater, Minnesota
    Posts: 181
    #1265013

    I am looking to buy a 4×8 or 5×8 utility trailer for hauling my 4 wheeler around. Most of the time it will be local only, but once in a while I would like to pull it up north to the hunting cabin.

    Anyway, I have been looking at a lot of trailers and I found one I liked but it has 8 inch tires on it. Has anyone or is anyone running 8 inch tires on a trailer? I know they spin faster and that can cause problems, but was wondering if that is a real problem?

    thanks for any input.

    jerry b
    western WI
    Posts: 1506
    #818115

    If you have your heart set on’m, the only thing I would really recommend is to pay very close attention to the grease and seals. Todays lubricants are engineered for that type of application and will handle the pressure but you gotta make sure it’s in there and clean. jerr

    Hot Runr Guy
    West Chicago, IL
    Posts: 1933
    #818132

    I bought a Featherlite 1683 a few years ago, mainly since it’s so light, it is easy to drag around with the lawn tractor for yard work too. All aluminum, so no rust issues.
    Here’s the current model, mine has the smaller/wider “snowmobile trailer” tires on it.
    http://www.fthr.com/atv_recreational-trailer/model1683atv/

    HRG

    smithkeith
    Waterloo, Iowa
    Posts: 889
    #810506

    I know Waterloo might be a little bit of a drive but there is a company here that makes trailers and will even make any size you want. Bought one years ago when I had a lawn service. Used it when we went to Sturgis a couple of years ago. These trailers are very well made. Here is their web site and it might be worth a call. Feather lites are also an excellant trailer, I thnk they are just a little $$$$ IMO.

    http://tourniertrailers.com/default.asp

    northstar42
    west central Minnesotsa
    Posts: 921
    #818138

    Eight inch tires spin at about 3,000 rpm if you are going fast enough. If you have been following the thread on tire issues, multiply that X2 for eight inch tires because of the high speed. Any difficulty is multiplied. I have run them for 45 years on one of my trailers and have been all over the country but not with as heavy a load as you are talking about. I would really recommend something with bigger tires. You are really pushing the limit I think.

    Richard V.
    Somewhere over the rainbow
    Posts: 2596
    #818234

    I took my small boat to pool 4 this spring, 530 miles one way if I remember correctly. It is a 16′ boat that is pretty much basic with a 30 hp motor two batteries 40lb bow mount trilling motor not really a lot of weight. The trailer is 18′ and has 12″ tires, on the trip up I did not have any problems however when coming home I had one tire get low on air. I do not know how long it was low since it is so small it does not hold much air, I did check the tires every time I stopped for food, fuel and bath room. When I noticed it I stopped at the next station filled it and came home since I was only about 60 miles from home. The tire did not give me any issues all summmer but if I were to go on an extended trip again I would buy some new tires since these are 4 years old.

    Two things I want to convey
    1) Small tires don’t hold much air so when they get low on air it does not take long for them to heat up and blow.
    2) Small tires spin faster so you will not get the mileage out of them that you would with a larger tire. Remember my boat trailer has 12″ tires not 8″ like the ones you are looking at.

    Good luck with your choice fishhunter
    Oh, I almost forgot to mention those Alumalite trailers are VERY nice.

    rgoi812
    Good hour from whitewater
    Posts: 468
    #818290

    I went with the heavier trailer with 15″ wheels for hauling the wheeler with a plow on it as it did weigh 800lbs set up this way.I would look at something with at least 13″ or bigger wheels.The day may come when you want to haul more stuff along with the wheeler and you will be set up already.

    northstar42
    west central Minnesotsa
    Posts: 921
    #818304

    Quote:


    1) Small tires don’t hold much air so when they get low on air it does not take long for them to heat up and blow.
    2) Small tires spin faster so you will not get the mileage out of them that you would with a larger tire. Remember my boat trailer has 12″ tires not 8″ like the ones you are looking at.


    You said it better than I did. I have both 8″ & 12″ and you have to be really careful about the air pressure. You can also get heavy duty 8″ that will last a lot longer but even then, they will not make it as long as 14″ or 15″.

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