I need to replace my trailer tires and rims. I will stick with the galvanized rims, but was curious on bias or radial tires? Bias are a bit cheaper but was curious if radial was worth extra. Any ■■■■■■■■ would be appreciated. Thanks,
The big thing with tires for trailers IMO around the saltwater ramps is the number of plies in the sidewalls because of oyster shells. On the boats I’ve had for using exclusively for freshwater, plain radial car tires have worked beautifully, lasted longer, stayed in balance better, and were less expensive than trailer tires. Trailer tires usually have more plies (4-6) on the sidewall, but definitely won’t last 10,000 miles or more like a cheap radial car tire. If the ramp where you put in is clean, don’t waste your money on “trailer” tires. Think about it, how many miles are actually put on most boat trailer tires? The manufacturers know it is FAR less than what people put on passenger car tires, so they add a few side plies, make it as cheap as possible, jack up the price, and sell it as a trailer tire.
I started using radials about 2.5 years ago at the suggestion of a tire guy. I have towed my boat to the Keys twice and to Tampa once since then. They definitely tow better. You will seldom wear a trailer tire out from towing. Usually what does trailer tires in is sun damage/dry rot. When I replaced my old tires with the current radials, the tread looked brand new but you could see small cracking on the sidewalls. The hardest thing to get used to is they always look a little under-inflated because they ride a bit softer than bias ply tires.
Adding to my response earlier, I was assuming tires for a trailer holding a typical inshore boat (jon boat, CC, flats boat, etc.) where the load placed on the tire won’t exceed that of a regular car passenger tire or light truck tire. I have worn out, yes, WORN OUT, 4 sets of trailer tires on my jon boat, CC, and Ranger Cayman combined in the last 7 years. I replaced my jon boat tires with cheap Kuhmo passenger tires 5 years ago and it’s only 3 ply tread, 1 ply sidewall. I’ve got over 10,000 miles on them and they look brand new. Ranger tires are Carlisle steel belted radial 6-ply trailer tires (twin axle), 5,000 miles, and showing considerable wear. There is no advantage to bias ply tires as they create more heat and have greatler rolling resistances causing worse gas mileage for your tow vehicle. Before making a decision, I would ask a lot of questions about your specific load vs. use before paying a premium for radial trailer tires.
Thanks for the input guys. I went for the bias. That is what I had before. They lasted almost exactly three years.
I’ve got a 16’ Jon boat with 40hp Merc. 4 stroke on it. Don’t usually pull it far maybe 20 miles one way. Are y’all saying the radial tires would probably be better? I usually just fish lakes with concrete boat ramps and no hidden obstacles to contend with.
