Best 13" trailer tire, HELP

[OKnewguy]

Hi gang, I need to pick your brains. I have been trying to decide what tires to get on our new (to us) boat trailer. This site and other searches get so many conflicting stories and opinions, I thought I might ask you all directly.
What is the best/tuffest, long lasting tire around. The current size is 175/80 13. My trailer is a shorelander tandem, the 13 are the largest I can go with, without messing around with the fenders. My boat is 3250 pounds dry according to
Used 1998 STARCRAFT CO STARSHIP 2015 DB prices, values, specs and options at NADAguides
But this, does not include fuel or anything. I have a feeling that I am right at the limit of these c rated 13's.
Are the Goodyear Marathons good? It seems like just about all tires are made in China now.
Thanks, Dave

 

[OKnewguy]

Can a moderator move this to transportation, this is what I get for surfing will home sick.
Thanks, Dave

 

[kennyd]

Can a moderator move this to transportation, this is what I get for surfing will home sick.
Thanks, Dave

Click the triangle with the exclamation point in it on the left under your user name to directly refer it to one of the mods.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am a boat dealer and I can tell you the Marathons have gone to crap. My guess is they are cheapening them up to compete. They used to be top notch.

Your biggest issue is going to be flat spotting with that weight boat and the small trailer tire. You really need to put it on stands if not used for a month or more.

As for the tires I like the Greenball Radials and the Chinese Tow Masters also in a Radial.

Chris

 

[OKnewguy]

I hear you on flat spoting. I have always put my boat trailers up on jack stands over winter, and have been trying come of with a way to lift it all the time. I appreciate your help, I was hoping you might see this post, because I know you deal with boats (some of them much larger then this little guy).
Thanks, Dave

 

[crbr]

I am a boat dealer and I can tell you the Marathons have gone to crap. My guess is they are cheapening them up to compete. They used to be top notch.

Your biggest issue is going to be flat spotting with that weight boat and the small trailer tire. You really need to put it on stands if not used for a month or more.

As for the tires I like the Greenball Radials and the Chinese Tow Masters also in a Radial.

Chris

I am considering ditching a set of Marathons with less than 500 miles on them. Too many stories (on a boat forum) of failure at speeds of less than 60 - 70 MPH. However, I hate to haste and waste. The Marathons have not been recalled by the Feds.

Here's a popular read that (IIRC) is posted somewhere else here.

.

 

[George2615]

Instead of your 6 ply tires you can buy 8 ply trailer tires rated for 1660 lb in size 185/80-13. One brand is Duro. Here's a link. DiamondPilot may know of other brands of 13" 8 ply's that will work also.

http://durotires.bizland.com/duro_bias_trailer_tires.htm

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am considering ditching a set of Marathons with less than 500 miles on them. Too many stories (on a boat forum) of failure at speeds of less than 60 - 70 MPH. However, I hate to haste and waste. The Marathons have not been recalled by the Feds.

Here's a popular read that (IIRC) is posted somewhere else here.

.

2 years ago my first choice would have been Marathons, but not today. Like I said they have gone to crap. I have really had the best luck out of the Tow Masters from China. There is also a brand which I am sure is made by the same company called Trailer King or something like that and are just as good.

I would not ditch them till I had a problem either. The Marathons are still better than the Carlisle any day of the week. I refuse to put a trailer behind my truck with a set of these after last summer. I had had problems in the past but blowing 2 tires on a 500 mile trip last year was the end for me. Did I mention it was Sunday and no tire shop was open. I can deal with one flat but the second is a day buster with no spare. Ended up putting 2 used car tires on it at a truck stop for $40 and made it home no problem. Would have been better off with used car tires over them Carlisle.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Instead of your 6 ply tires you can buy 8 ply trailer tires rated for 1660 lb in size 185/80-13. One brand is Duro. Here's a link. DiamondPilot may know of other brands of 13" 8 ply's that will work also.

185 / 80 D 13 & C 78 - 13 Duro Trailer Tires

The problem is in 13 and 14 inch tires to get anything more than Load Range C or 6 ply you have to go to Bias in most sizes. Radials pull so much better and allow for higher speed and just seem to do a better job.

Chris

 

[George2615]

The problem is in 13 and 14 inch tires to get anything more than Load Range C or 6 ply you have to go to Bias in most sizes. Radials pull so much better and allow for higher speed and just seem to do a better job.

Chris

Chris, I got the impression from his post he's at his weight limit for his current tires. For the amount of time he'll be towing I think he would feel safer with a higher rated tire even though its not a radial.