How long do boat trailer tires typically last?
 

We just bought a 2001 Lund Mr. Pike a couple weeks ago. We went on
vacation last week, and of course had to take the boat with us. About
40 miles from home, the driver's side trailer tire blew out while on
the freeway going almost 70mph. Then, about 100 miles later, the OTHER
trailer tire blew out - this time we were only going 60mph, as we were
paranoid after the first blow-out.

These were 14" tires that, yes, were original, so were 6 years old.
They looked good, though. No obvious wear or cracking. I ended up
having to get 15" tires from TSC as they didn't carry 14" ones. Being
that it was 6:00 on a Saturday in a small town, there wasn't really
any choice - either get the 15" tires or get nothing at that point.
The guy at TSC said the 15's are better tires anyway, and would fit,
which they did. He also told me that this happens quite often, and a
lot of people get new trailer tires ~every 4 years, whether they look
like they need replacing or not, as many times trailer tires will go
without any warning, like they did with us. He also told me that 14"
tires are not commonly carried. Another guy that this happened to had
14's and he had to get 15's to put on the trailer, which he changed
out in the TSC parking lot. So if all these boat trailer have 14"
tires, why don't retailers commonly carry them??

How long do boat trailer tires typically last?
 

"M. Baker" wrote in message
ups.com...
We just bought a 2001 Lund Mr. Pike a couple weeks ago. We went on
vacation last week, and of course had to take the boat with us. About
40 miles from home, the driver's side trailer tire blew out while on
the freeway going almost 70mph. Then, about 100 miles later, the OTHER
trailer tire blew out - this time we were only going 60mph, as we were
paranoid after the first blow-out.

These were 14" tires that, yes, were original, so were 6 years old.
They looked good, though. No obvious wear or cracking. I ended up
having to get 15" tires from TSC as they didn't carry 14" ones. Being
that it was 6:00 on a Saturday in a small town, there wasn't really
any choice - either get the 15" tires or get nothing at that point.
The guy at TSC said the 15's are better tires anyway, and would fit,
which they did. He also told me that this happens quite often, and a
lot of people get new trailer tires ~every 4 years, whether they look
like they need replacing or not, as many times trailer tires will go
without any warning, like they did with us. He also told me that 14"
tires are not commonly carried. Another guy that this happened to had
14's and he had to get 15's to put on the trailer, which he changed
out in the TSC parking lot. So if all these boat trailer have 14"
tires, why don't retailers commonly carry them??


For boats in the 1500-2000 pound range... 13" tires seem to be the norm
here. That's what I had on my new boat trailer.

How long do boat trailer tires typically last?
 

M. Baker wrote:
We just bought a 2001 Lund Mr. Pike a couple weeks ago. We went on
vacation last week, and of course had to take the boat with us. About
40 miles from home, the driver's side trailer tire blew out while on
the freeway going almost 70mph. Then, about 100 miles later, the OTHER
trailer tire blew out - this time we were only going 60mph, as we were
paranoid after the first blow-out.

These were 14" tires that, yes, were original, so were 6 years old.
They looked good, though. No obvious wear or cracking. I ended up
having to get 15" tires from TSC as they didn't carry 14" ones. Being
that it was 6:00 on a Saturday in a small town, there wasn't really
any choice - either get the 15" tires or get nothing at that point.
The guy at TSC said the 15's are better tires anyway, and would fit,
which they did. He also told me that this happens quite often, and a
lot of people get new trailer tires ~every 4 years, whether they look
like they need replacing or not, as many times trailer tires will go
without any warning, like they did with us. He also told me that 14"
tires are not commonly carried. Another guy that this happened to had
14's and he had to get 15's to put on the trailer, which he changed
out in the TSC parking lot. So if all these boat trailer have 14"
tires, why don't retailers commonly carry them??


When I had a boat and trailer, the tires were 20 yrs old. I kept the
tires covered so they would not have UV degradation, and they were the
original tires when I sold the boat. I would guess the tires were under
inflated, and that will cause the tires to get hot.

How long do boat trailer tires typically last?
 

On Aug 23, 9:38 am, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:
M. Baker wrote:
We just bought a 2001 Lund Mr. Pike a couple weeks ago. We went on
vacation last week, and of course had to take the boat with us. About
40 miles from home, the driver's side trailer tire blew out while on
the freeway going almost 70mph. Then, about 100 miles later, the OTHER
trailer tire blew out - this time we were only going 60mph, as we were
paranoid after the first blow-out.

These were 14" tires that, yes, were original, so were 6 years old.
They looked good, though. No obvious wear or cracking. I ended up
having to get 15" tires from TSC as they didn't carry 14" ones. Being
that it was 6:00 on a Saturday in a small town, there wasn't really
any choice - either get the 15" tires or get nothing at that point.
The guy at TSC said the 15's are better tires anyway, and would fit,
which they did. He also told me that this happens quite often, and a
lot of people get new trailer tires ~every 4 years, whether they look
like they need replacing or not, as many times trailer tires will go
without any warning, like they did with us. He also told me that 14"
tires are not commonly carried. Another guy that this happened to had
14's and he had to get 15's to put on the trailer, which he changed
out in the TSC parking lot. So if all these boat trailer have 14"
tires, why don't retailers commonly carry them??

When I had a boat and trailer, the tires were 20 yrs old. I kept the
tires covered so they would not have UV degradation, and they were the
original tires when I sold the boat. I would guess the tires were under
inflated, and that will cause the tires to get hot.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

That's what I was thinking, heat, improper inflation. Especially since
all of them went.

How long do boat trailer tires typically last?
 

Well, I do know that the original owner kept the boat/trailer in a
pole barn, so it wasn't exposed to the elements.
Don't know about the tire pressure - maybe that was the problem, since
BOTH of them blew out hours apart.
What a horrible day that was - it took us 9 hours to get someplace
that it should have taken us 4-1/2.
Believe me - it's made me NOT want to trailer that boat anywhere
again!




On Aug 23, 9:38 am, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:
M. Baker wrote:
We just bought a 2001 Lund Mr. Pike a couple weeks ago. We went on
vacation last week, and of course had to take the boat with us. About
40 miles from home, the driver's side trailer tire blew out while on
the freeway going almost 70mph. Then, about 100 miles later, the OTHER
trailer tire blew out - this time we were only going 60mph, as we were
paranoid after the first blow-out.

These were 14" tires that, yes, were original, so were 6 years old.
They looked good, though. No obvious wear or cracking. I ended up
having to get 15" tires from TSC as they didn't carry 14" ones. Being
that it was 6:00 on a Saturday in a small town, there wasn't really
any choice - either get the 15" tires or get nothing at that point.
The guy at TSC said the 15's are better tires anyway, and would fit,
which they did. He also told me that this happens quite often, and a
lot of people get new trailer tires ~every 4 years, whether they look
like they need replacing or not, as many times trailer tires will go
without any warning, like they did with us. He also told me that 14"
tires are not commonly carried. Another guy that this happened to had
14's and he had to get 15's to put on the trailer, which he changed
out in the TSC parking lot. So if all these boat trailer have 14"
tires, why don't retailers commonly carry them??

When I had a boat and trailer, the tires were 20 yrs old. I kept the
tires covered so they would not have UV degradation, and they were the
original tires when I sold the boat. I would guess the tires were under
inflated, and that will cause the tires to get hot.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

How long do boat trailer tires typically last?
 

On Thu, 23 Aug 2007 06:05:37 -0700, "M. Baker"
wrote:

We just bought a 2001 Lund Mr. Pike a couple weeks ago. We went on
vacation last week, and of course had to take the boat with us. About
40 miles from home, the driver's side trailer tire blew out while on
the freeway going almost 70mph. Then, about 100 miles later, the OTHER
trailer tire blew out - this time we were only going 60mph, as we were
paranoid after the first blow-out.

Air pressure.

The tires overheated.

How long do boat trailer tires typically last?
 

OK - for future reference with these new tires....do you check the
pressure with the trailer loaded, or unloaded? I'm assuming loaded.



On Aug 23, 9:45 am, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:
On Thu, 23 Aug 2007 06:05:37 -0700, "M. Baker"

wrote:
We just bought a 2001 Lund Mr. Pike a couple weeks ago. We went on
vacation last week, and of course had to take the boat with us. About
40 miles from home, the driver's side trailer tire blew out while on
the freeway going almost 70mph. Then, about 100 miles later, the OTHER
trailer tire blew out - this time we were only going 60mph, as we were
paranoid after the first blow-out.

Air pressure.

The tires overheated.

How long do boat trailer tires typically last?
 

On Thu, 23 Aug 2007 07:00:05 -0700, "M. Baker"
wrote:

OK - for future reference with these new tires....do you check the
pressure with the trailer loaded, or unloaded? I'm assuming loaded.

Loaded and cold.

How long do boat trailer tires typically last?
 

M. Baker wrote:
OK - for future reference with these new tires....do you check the
pressure with the trailer loaded, or unloaded? I'm assuming loaded.



On Aug 23, 9:45 am, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:
On Thu, 23 Aug 2007 06:05:37 -0700, "M. Baker"

wrote:
We just bought a 2001 Lund Mr. Pike a couple weeks ago. We went on
vacation last week, and of course had to take the boat with us. About
40 miles from home, the driver's side trailer tire blew out while on
the freeway going almost 70mph. Then, about 100 miles later, the OTHER
trailer tire blew out - this time we were only going 60mph, as we were
paranoid after the first blow-out.
Air pressure.

The tires overheated.



Check them loaded and every time you use the trailer. This is probably
overkill, but I supported the trailer on 3 jacks so the weight was
actually on the jacks, and not on the tires. I put one on the front of
the trailer and 2 behind the tires. That way if the tires deflated over
the winter, it would not have a negative impact the sidewalls.

How long do boat trailer tires typically last?
 

"M. Baker" wrote in message
oups.com...
Well, I do know that the original owner kept the boat/trailer in a
pole barn, so it wasn't exposed to the elements.
Don't know about the tire pressure - maybe that was the problem, since
BOTH of them blew out hours apart.
What a horrible day that was - it took us 9 hours to get someplace
that it should have taken us 4-1/2.
Believe me - it's made me NOT want to trailer that boat anywhere
again!



That's nothing compared to what happened to me on the very first road trip I
took with my new (2006) 'custom built' boat trailer.
After numerous e-mails, phone calls & a letter at time of mailing my $600.00
deposit last year stating that I wanted excess capacity for a sailboat rated
at 1200 lbs dry... (I demanded a carry capability of 200 lbs) the idiot
small time manufacturer put a 2500 lb axle & 2000 lb rated springs on the
trailer.
I found out about this at a gas station about 500 km from home on my way to
a regatta another 1500 km inland.
The springs gave way, and the hanger shackles in the rear flattened up
against the frame. This lowered the fender right on top of the tire and
quickly wore away 2/3rds of the thread and burned right through a heavy
steel fender. This of course happens at 1800 hts in a rural area. We found
a truck spring shop and the next day,after mulling the problem over, decided
on heavier springs. This got us another 100 km down the road where we had
to drop into a second shop who welded new pivot eyes on the trailer frame
1.25" further back to support the rear hanger/shackle.
The rest of the trip was fine after spending a total of $300.00 plus the
loss of that one tire (only good for spare) and the beat up fenders.
Too add insult, the original manufacturer is blaming everyone from the
spring supplier to the devil for the problem and refuses to accept
responsibility.
Looks like small claims court might be the only way to get something back on
this fiasco.