Best 13" trailer tire, HELP

OKnewguy · Feb 26, 2009

I was wondering about the bias ply myself. I tow 65 miles minimum to go to the lake, it is almost entirely highway. I have also heard that the bias might not be as good for the extreme heat we get in the middle of August.
I was just researching some other forums, and alot of rv'ers are making a switch from 13" to 15" in order to open up the tire choices. I went out a glanced at the boat, and I would have to completely mess with the axles and fenders. BTW, they had a link to a 15" rim with 5 on 4.5. I did not know such a beast existed. My past boat was a 20' glastron on a single axle trailer. It had 14's but again I was right at the max with it too. I usually would get 3 years before I had a blow out, and then I would replace them all.
If I got the Tow Masters (or really any tire), would I dramatically improve longevity by lifting the tires all the time? BTW, next Tuesday our carport is being delivered, I sprung for the enclosed sides.
Thanks for replies so far!
Dave

Diamondpilot · Feb 26, 2009

I would only put the boat up on blocks when its down for the season. I keep all my trailers on blocks for the off season. For example my boat is up from November to May. It gets used every weekend during the off season.

As for the Bias I would just ask your local tire shops what they sell and have good luck with. The only trailer we have Bias on is our converted Mobile Home Trailer into a House Boat Trailer. Its 70' long and has 5 axles. The only tire we can get for it is Bias in the load range we need. It only travels 1 mile at a time and top speed is 25 mph or so.

I would not go to bigger tires. I had a customer with a camper with 14" tires that he wanted me to put new brakes on. I did that and the next year he was due for tires and wanted to go to 15" tires. We had to get 1" lift blocks made at a local machine shop, was not to expensive ($80), then place them between the springs and axle. That was no problem, what ended up being the problem was the brakes. The larger tires gave rolling mass and the brakes were much less effective and he would have ended up having to go to larger brakes but he traded for a new camper. It was something we overlooked. Simple physics. Larger tire give more leverage and more rolling mass which equals less braking.

I would just stick with the stock size, get a good tire, watch the air pressure every time you tow it, and keep it on blocks for long periods of idle use. Plan on replacing them every 4-5 years for normal use.

Chris

Renze · Feb 27, 2009

popular sizes in Holland are the 195/50 R13 or 225/55 B12 Both will carry 1800kg (3968 pounds) per axle and are about 22 inch high.

BOBBYROGERS · Mar 3, 2009

i think your right most all small trailer tires are made in china but i think the goodyear is the best i just put them on my pop up camper and have not had any blowouts yet i did tri 2 otheir brands in the last 2 years and wow i did not now that their was so many junk tires out their 1 set blew out at 45 mph the other set had a blow out at 58mph long story short when i changed them and put my spare on the belts in them were completly rusted. now the goodyear modle is also made in china now but my dealer garinteed that they are built to a higher standard and i have been able to pull my camper down the road at 65mph all last summer with no problems

Diamondpilot · Mar 3, 2009

I just ordered a 4 205/75/14 load range "c" for this boat yesterday. It need new ones last year but I wanted to wait till spring. Got them through Tire Barn. Mounted and balanced with new valve steams the total is $238. That includes tax. I shopped around 5 local stores and looked at 8 or 9 brands and went with Kona. They are a radial tire. The seem to have a good rep around here. Got to be better than the Carlisle that are coming off.

Chris

OKnewguy · Mar 5, 2009

It is funny you mention the rusted belts. The last outing of the year we had a blowout on the way home, and the metal in the belts seemed to be rusted. Chris, I agree exactly with waiting all winter to put tires on, I was definitely thinking the same thing. I got the carport installed now, and will probably be buying the tires in the next month or so. I have to take the boat to the upholstery guy, and leave it with him for a while, so I need the tires before that trip (it is around 70 miles or so).
I will let everyone know how it goes with the purchase.
Thanks for all the input!
Dave