Light truck industrial tyres generally have a higher load rating and last well according to many trailer boat forums.
I have not actually got to the trailer yet as the boat only lives 20 meters from he ramp, hope to get it sone soonish rather than have to replace the whole thing due to neglect
Trailer tires for 26X?
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sailboatmike
- Admiral
- Posts: 1597
- Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2015 10:17 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Australia
Re: Trailer tires for 26X?
I have been in tire h--- more times than I would like to admit. Over the years I have learned a lot from my mistakes on car, RV, utility and boat trailer tires. I have trailed boats and cars from Minnesota to Florida and back so many times I have lost count.
First of all, have fresh tires. Changing every 3 years is reasonable. I never go over 5 years on a serious road/vacation trip, assuming the tread is reasonable. The cost of a tire(s) is money well spent vs. being on the side of the road with a flat/blowout due to old/weathered tires.
Secondly inflate the tires to the appropriate pressure. This is very important and I can't stress this enough --- I always inflate my tires to the maximum rated pressure on the side of the tire for the MAXIMUM load carrying capacity of the tires (sometimes 5-10% over the stated pressure if I have a heavy load). The only exception to this is on the front tires of an RV for handling reasons. Doing this will also yield better gas mileage --- somewhat. I check tire pressure daily on a road-trip before I start the day in the morning, and have invested in a TPMS to keep an eye on my tires even while driving. I will inflate or deflate tires on a trip in winter when the temperature dictates pressure changes.
Third, I always get the maximum load carrying capacity tire that will fit in the wheelwell. Regarding the Mac 26 --- I have a 2006 26M with the single axle steel trailer. The original tires where 225/75/15 load range C (6 ply) bias tires. When I purchased the boat used (9 years old), even before I moved it off of the lot at the marina, I changed the tires to 225/75/15 load range D (8 ply) LoadStar tires that I purchased off of ebay (including rims) for $112 each, including shipping. These are BIAS tires that have a capacity of 2540 lbs each at 65 PSI. That is 5080 lbs total for the boat and trailer, and is above the load recommendations from Macgregor for my steel trailer on the capacity plate. I agree with a previous post to use bias tires on a trailer, at least single axle, as the sidewalls are stronger to help with the sway of the trailer (I have blown out radial tires on boat trailers in the past until I learned this lesson). Duel axle trailers are a different story.
Fourth, I replace the rubber valve stems with steel as I have had the rubber varieties blow out of the rim in high temperatures/pressure conditions, again leaving me on the side of the road.
Fifth, as I am an expert at being on the side of the road due to operator error, make sure you have a spare (I carry two) and the tools and means to change the tire on your own if need be.
I realize this may appear overly cautious, but learn from my mistakes and have an have a great trip to wherever you are going to splash your Mac.
First of all, have fresh tires. Changing every 3 years is reasonable. I never go over 5 years on a serious road/vacation trip, assuming the tread is reasonable. The cost of a tire(s) is money well spent vs. being on the side of the road with a flat/blowout due to old/weathered tires.
Secondly inflate the tires to the appropriate pressure. This is very important and I can't stress this enough --- I always inflate my tires to the maximum rated pressure on the side of the tire for the MAXIMUM load carrying capacity of the tires (sometimes 5-10% over the stated pressure if I have a heavy load). The only exception to this is on the front tires of an RV for handling reasons. Doing this will also yield better gas mileage --- somewhat. I check tire pressure daily on a road-trip before I start the day in the morning, and have invested in a TPMS to keep an eye on my tires even while driving. I will inflate or deflate tires on a trip in winter when the temperature dictates pressure changes.
Third, I always get the maximum load carrying capacity tire that will fit in the wheelwell. Regarding the Mac 26 --- I have a 2006 26M with the single axle steel trailer. The original tires where 225/75/15 load range C (6 ply) bias tires. When I purchased the boat used (9 years old), even before I moved it off of the lot at the marina, I changed the tires to 225/75/15 load range D (8 ply) LoadStar tires that I purchased off of ebay (including rims) for $112 each, including shipping. These are BIAS tires that have a capacity of 2540 lbs each at 65 PSI. That is 5080 lbs total for the boat and trailer, and is above the load recommendations from Macgregor for my steel trailer on the capacity plate. I agree with a previous post to use bias tires on a trailer, at least single axle, as the sidewalls are stronger to help with the sway of the trailer (I have blown out radial tires on boat trailers in the past until I learned this lesson). Duel axle trailers are a different story.
Fourth, I replace the rubber valve stems with steel as I have had the rubber varieties blow out of the rim in high temperatures/pressure conditions, again leaving me on the side of the road.
Fifth, as I am an expert at being on the side of the road due to operator error, make sure you have a spare (I carry two) and the tools and means to change the tire on your own if need be.
I realize this may appear overly cautious, but learn from my mistakes and have an have a great trip to wherever you are going to splash your Mac.