Replacing Trailer Tires

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Trailer Tires
The debate on Bias tires verses Radials tires. I'm replacing the tires on my dual axles trailer. This trailer has a 22’ Pro-Line sport sitting on top.
The total weight is around 3 to 4 thousand pounds I think? This boat and trailer will travel about 10 to 150 miles one way to the water. I heard good and bad about both tires. What do you all think about this two tires? 

[Hugh]

Here's an article or two:

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoSeparationAnxiety.dos

http://blog.easternmarine.com/trailer-tires-bias-ply-vs-radial/

I have bias ply on both my boat trailers and my Jeep, and am very happy with them...even for infrequent, extended highway runs. 

[a7ewizard]

Don't waste your money buying Carlisles. See below.... after about 5000 miles, I had tread separation, blowout. Replaced with Denmans based on the recommendation of my independent tire guy.

[sandflea]

Everybody has an opinion, I won't say that I am 100% right, but is is what I sell in my shop and what I do with my 3 Trailers.  I am third generation in tire business. You have to be crazy to own a tire store, but it is like the boat business, if your love it, you love it.   (1) radial is only way to go.  If you look at 99% of the big rigs on the road, they are radial trailer tires.   (2)  there are always exceptions, but there are very few issues seen with radial tires 4 years old or less.  I would never run a tire more than this age.  (3) run nitrogen in the tires.  Several reasons,  (a) molecules are larger and loose less pressure over time.  (b) expansion and contraction are less and maintain better pressures in your tires.  (4) your can always use regular air in your tires if needed.  (5) yearly pull your bearings (even if you have buddy bearings) clean and repack.  A bearing that doesn't spin easily will cause more stress on the tire.  Same goes with the brake system.  Flush your brake fluid out yearly.  Lube slide pins yearly.   Easy to do and makes claipers last longer.
If the tire shown in the pictures is less than 4 years old with no signs of heat on the inside or impact, Carlisle will adjust the tire based on the tread depth.  

Good luck,
Sandlfea

[a7ewizard]

If the tire shown in the pictures is less than 4 years old with no signs of heat on the inside or impact, Carlisle will adjust the tire based on the tread depth.  

Good luck,
Sandlfea

Additional info: I did contact Carlisle. Without the tires to inspect, they denied my claim. Although they did get some pictures! I suppose if I had thought about this at the time I could have hauled them up from lower Baha. The tires had a 2 year warranty (not 4) and were about 18 months old (Pacific Trailer OEM).

I had a blow-out/shredded tire that did some damage to the fender and trailer wiring. Back at the tire dealer, they found 2 other tires with the bubble/tread separation as shown in the picture. I was forced to replace 2 pairs on my trailer with similiar sized passenger tires as they don't sell ST trailer rated tires in Baja! At this point, I was more concerned with the question of whether or not these tires would be overloaded and survive the drive back to the US and that I was now a day behind schedule then fighting some later claim with Carlisle.

Carlisle's warranty is to replace the defective tire. After this experience, I wouldn't want to take another chance with their POS anyway!!!

[sandflea]

Sorry for your issues.  Given those circumstances, I would feel the same way.  Good luck in the future fwith your tires.  Hopefully you will have smooth rides from here on.    Had you pulled your boat down to Baja to fishing??  If so, where and how did you do?
Thanks,
Sandflea

[a7ewizard]

I've made 3 pulls into Baha. Two were with my 251. I leave my 24SS in La Paz!

I have fished twice out of S. Quintin (pac coast about 5 hours south of Ensenada). The first was in my 251 and I had my young sons with me...good rockfishing, sand bass and a Yellowtail. We didn't press too far offshore. The 2nd was in my 24SS...outstanding day for YFT to 30 pounds...fishing over a pod of dolphin. We left them biting and had over 20 fish!

That trip, we also fished out of Mag Bay. Pretty cool running out to Thetis Bank in your own trailer boat! We had a very nice wahoo and dorado. We didn't do as well as I expected.

I know the La Paz waters....marlin and dorado represent the best fishing in the summer months. Some smaller YFT, lots of Mex skipjacks and bonita, some sails also. Winter catch are snapper, pargo, and yellowtail. Wahoo is hit and miss, only caught a few in November and July.

There is a very good book by Zack Thomas. http://www.amazon.com/Anglers-Guide-Trailer-Boating-Baja/dp/061518846X This is a must read before you go...

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Sandflea
Thank you for all the good info on both tires Bias tires and Radials tires it is very good to hear from someone in the business. This form is priceless it save me time and money all the time.
 Thanks guys

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