On trailer tire life...

[Kelly Hanson East]

This has been hashed on before, but Im still a bit curious about these numbers.

Tire companies report typical trailer life as 1500 miles/3 years....but the intellectual in me argues that a typical car weighing 3500 pounds will have tire life of 30000 miles easily. The argument about rot etc seems fallacious as car tires live in the same environment as trailer tires most of their life.

Even allowing for a quadratic wear function, and thus saying putting the 3500 boat/trailer weight on 2, rather than 4 tires would result in a 30000/4 = 7500 mile life.

So wheres that factor of 5x less life coming from??

[kmclemore]

Osmosis.

But it's true, trailer tires wear out about 10x faster than car tires, in my experience.

[Kelly Hanson East]

I dont dispute that Kevin...but the curious George in me wants to figure it out...

It is even more strange when you consider auto tires have driving force friction on top of just rolling friction.....

[Retcoastie]

Stephen,

I was once told by a young, snot-nosed, tire salesman that my RV van tires were failing because I didn't use them often enough. I wanted to slap his face. However, in investigating, he was apparently right and if I could find him now I would apologize.

His point was that there are lubricants in the rubber that, as the tire flexes, keeps the tire running smoothly, much like oil in an engine. A tire that sits for long periods, as my RV van and I suspect lots of trailers, does not have that benefit. The lubricant dries out and the tire starts developing friction and heat when it is used.

I don't know of any comparison charts of tire life on trailers that are used everyday and ones like we have that sit most of the time. I bought my 02X after it had sat four four years. Both tires looked like new but failed within a year.

Ken

[raycarlson]

Some truth to the lack of use thought,especially when trailer is parked in the sun.Sidewall dry rot and cracking are big problem in AZ but a little Aurmor All protectant will take care of that as well as supporting trailer on jack stands when parked for long periods.My Goodyear Marathons have almost 5000 miles on them now(1year) and the little injection tits where the rubber is squrited into the mold are just now worn off,tread looks like new, I would be terribly disappointed if I don't get at least 25,000 miles out of this set.My last boat a 20ft ski boat 150 O/B single axle was seven years old with radial tires and 20,000 miles on them when I sold it, tires looked to be good for another 20 at that time.

[Hardcrab]

I will second what Retcoastie says.
From what I've read at various tire makers sites, the two major differences in "trailer" tires are beefed-up sidewalls and increased amounts of chemical "stuff" in the tires used to slowdown the UV generated dryrot.
This "stuff" is what causes tires to get a greyish or brownish tint when left unwashed.
Rolling the tires, with the resulting flexing, is the motive force needed to leach the stuff to the surface.
Makers know that trailer tires will sit unmoved more than car tires, hence the additional amounts over car tires is added.

I've not seen the reference about the 1,500 miles/3 years.
I wouldn't believe that either.

It can't hurt to keep trailer tires covered out of sunlight, no matter what.

[SkiDeep2001]

If you are concerned about UV damage to any of your tires, cars, trailers, RV's etc... this is the best product out there, bar none. http://www.303-products.com/shop303/index.cfm Try it, you'll like it Rob

[Kelly Hanson East]

I hadnt heard the 'distribution of lubricants' theory but I will say its the best explanation Ive heard to date!!

[jim nolan]

I have had my 99X since 1998 December. It was delivered to me from a distance of 150 miles.My dealer towed it with a small ford ranger, with his wife and 2 teenagers. That's like a taurus isn't it. Its gone back and forth to the lake, 10 times. Total 1000 miles. The tires gook great, no cracks, and never had a flat. I guess I maybe pushing things, but so far so good. Jim

[Kelly Hanson East]

Jim - you have hit the nail on the head...trailer tires, imhe, tend to have somewhat 'stochastic' lifetimes...I actually have my 2002 trailer tires on and one is in new condition, and the other is completely dry rotted.

[c130king]

...'stochastic'...

Stephen,

You shure do use purty words...

Sometimes I think you are too "cerebral" (good word huh??) for this board.



Cheers,
Jim

[Kelly Hanson East]

Im just a regular guy, as opposed to unleaded...

[Kelly Hanson East]

Bumping this thread up to the other one for a 'butchers'