Your Trailer Needs a Certain Type
It may be tempting to put any tire that fits on your boat trailer, but there are specifications in place for trailer tires. Special Trailer (ST) tires are the only type you should use on your boat trailer unless you’re willing to risk damage or potentially an accident.
What size tire goes on a boat trailer?
8 – 9 – 10 – 12 – Inch Trailer Tire Sizing
Older Size |
Tire Size |
Overall Diameter |
– |
4.80/4.00-8 |
16.1 inches |
– |
5.70-8 |
18.1 inches |
16.5 x 6.5 – 8 |
165/65-8 |
16.5 inches |
18.5 x 8.5 – 8 |
215/60-8 |
18.3 inches |
Are boat trailer tires different from car tires?
A tire made for a boat trailer is going to have “ST” on the sidewall, or the words “Trailer Use Only.” Unlike tires on your car, trailer tires have strengthened sidewalls to handle the weight of a boat, especially when rounding corners. Trailer tires are either bias ply or radial.
Can you put regular car tires on a boat trailer?
They aren’t built to handle the weight of a boat and its contents, and their load capacity is typically lower than that of trailer tires, which can cause tread separation or other failure as the tire struggles to support the combined weight of the vehicle and its cargo.
Do boat trailers require special tires? – Related Questions
How often should you change boat trailer tires?
After a few years, the laminates rot from within, and that can lead to blowouts. So you can’t really judge an old trailer tire by its looks. That’s why it is a good idea to replace your trailer tires every five to six years, no matter what they look like. This applies to spare tires as well.
Why do trailer tires wear out so fast?
That said, rapid or significantly uneven trailer tire wear can be caused by: Riding with the wrong tire pressure. Exceeding your tires’ load capacity. Trailer misalignment or bent wheels from hitting curbs, potholes or debris.
Is it okay to use car tires on a trailer?
Never use passenger tires on a trailer. They are usually rated Load Range B, a 4-ply equivalent, because their sidewalls are flexible for a smooth ride—far too flexible for trailer duty. They are not engineered to stabilize heavy loads or to handle the temperatures that build with them.
Can you put car wheels on a trailer?
As long as you find the right wheel with the right weight rating, you are good. However, the taller you get in rim, the wider you get in rim, and then you are going to get into width clearance issues. I run LT E-rated truck tires on my dually AND my boat trailer.
Can radial tires be used on a boat trailer?
For a boat trailer, or any other trailer used on pavement a radial tire is preferable. A radial tire will have a more flexible sidewall, which provides better tread contact with the pavement. Radial tires also do a better job of shedding heat.
Can you put drive tires on a trailer?
If they are the same size, yes you may. However if the tires are specifically designed for trailer position, they will not last long on the drive axle of the truck. They will wear out very quickly.
Why do you put wood under trailer tires?
The wood acts as a barrier between the tires and the ground surface they are being stored on. The proper storage steps would be to clean the tires, cover them to protect them from harmful sunlight and UV rays and inflate them to the pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tires.
Should trailer tires be off the ground?
Protect Your Trailer Tires from the Ground, When Parked
Long-term contact with the ground can cause dry rot. One method to avoid the heat and delay the occurrence of dry rot is to jack up your trailer tires when they are not in use to keep them from the ground.
Should you put Max PSI in trailer tires?
When it comes to trailer tires you always want to have them inflated to their max psi when cold. Not only do you get the full capacity at the max psi, you also will generate less heat in the tire since there won’t be as much flex in the sidewall, you’ll get better wear and better fuel mileage.
What is the proper tire pressure for a boat trailer?
Boat-trailer tires require a lot of air pressure — in most cases, between 50 and 65 psi. In fact, the correct tire pressure for your boat trailer is almost always the maximum-rated pressure for that tire, which is molded right on the sidewall. Maintaining that trailer tire PSI is critically important to towing safety.
What is the standard psi for trailer tires?
Boat trailer tires demand a high level of air pressure. When inflating your tire, the pressure gauge should show between 50 and 65 psi.
Is 90 psi too high for trailer tires?
The 90 psi rating is actually normal for that size tire. For example, the Taskmaster 4.80-12 Bias Trailer Tire # TTWSF48012C has a Load Range of C which means 990 lbs at 90 psi.
Why do my trailer tires get hot?
Bearing issues can frequently cause over heating and ruin a trailer hub and spindle. This would cause the hub, wheel and tires to heat up. If you see any gouges, discoloration or cuts on the bearings or spindles, then that could be the cause of your problem and the affected parts should be replaced.
What happens if you go over Max PSI?
Tire Damage and Wear
Like an overfilled balloon, tires filled to their maximum capacity are more stiff and inflexible, which makes them more susceptible to damage from potholes, curbs, or debris. Plus, as a driver or passenger, you’ll feel every bump and dip in the road, and that doesn’t make for a pleasant ride.
Why do dealers overinflate tires?
Tires are overinflated during the shipping process, so as to help prevent the flat spot from forming in the tire as it sits for days on in during the shipping process. It is supposed to be part of the delivery check process that the service department deflates the tires to the proper pressure.
What is the max psi a human can survive?
What is the highest pressure a human can withstand? Using normal atmosphere, people can function at 2.5 times atmospheric pressure, or 2.5 bar. At 2,5 bar, a person inhales enough oxygen molecules to equal a lungful of pure oxygen at normal atmospheric pressure.