• RME Gear & Apparel

trailer tires

R

rholbrook

Well-Known Member
Location
Kaysville, Ut
I repack my bearings on my boat trailer every other year, of should I say, I repack one axle every other year so I only have to do 2 wheels a year and they will all get done atleast every two years. Last weekend I had a bearing burn up on the axle I repacked last year. It scored the spindle so I figured I would put a new axle on it. Well the drop on the axle is 1 1/2" and noone around here does that size of drop. I called the manufacturer in Spokane (all aluminum EZ Loader) for an axle and they wanted $385 shipped to my door. When the wheel came off it tore up my fender so I had to get a fender and a light but I was not going to spend that much on an axle when I can get an axles here for $95 a piece at Hendersons so I opted for two new axles. Now the only problem is Henderson only has a 4" drop or a straight axle so what I did was get the 4" drop and welded a 3" long piece of 2x2 3/16 tubing onto each perch of the axle. Next I had to go to AAA spring and have them bend me up some new axle U-bolts. My trailer is now 1/2" taller than before which is fine.

I got the front axle all done Monday night and took it to get brand new tires Tuesday. I never had time to get the rear axle in before I was to leave to Flaming Gorge on Wednesday so I figured that the rear axle usually carries more weight because of the motor being in the rear so I figured if the front axle was actually a 1/2" lower that it would be about right until I get back and have time to swap out the rear. The rear has the brake drums on it and I would have to deal with the surge brakes and didnt have the time to tackle it. Back to the story, this time I went with 215 75 14 ST tires. I cant remember the brand but the tire place I have spent a ton of money at suggested this brand since I have already tried the Good Years and Maxxis. The Maxxis lasted exactly 2 years before I had a tire start loosing its tread. They assured me that they have had good luck with them. I was going to go with LT tires but noone makes an LT in a 14" and I didnt want to put new wheels on the trailer so it was another set of ST tires.

Now I was ready for Flaming Gorge so tonight I loaded the boat and was literally getting ready to hook it up to the motorhome when my sons friend was looking at the tires and noticed a softball size bulge in my one day old tire. It was so big that the bead was coming out of the rim. This was at 6:45 this evening. I hurried and got on the phone and located one at Sams Club but they closed at 7 pm but they do open at 7 am and will be open in the morning on the 24th of July so it looks like I will get there but a day later.

I really really dislike trailer tires. Yes I do have a spare I could have tossed on but I do not go anywhere without a spare.

7A0387C3-FC2E-4EF7-A185-9C3B727F3963.jpg
 
flexyfool

flexyfool

GDW
Location
Boise, Idaho
The 14" rims are the limiting issue. You may want to simply install bigger axles and get into the 16" rim size. Trailer axles are surprisingly cheap. You'll spend more on the new rims and tires than the axles. Of course, you'll have to dip the trailer deeper into the water to float the boat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top