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??

"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.

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.

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.

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 -

"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.

Another question - how do you know how much the trailer/boat weighs?
It's a 17' Lund Mr. Pike with a 115hp motor, plus the 2001 Trailmaster
trailer. There's capacity label on the trailer, and I'm assuming the
boat/motor falls within that rating, since it was sold as a package
when it was new, to the guy we bought it from. Just wondering, for the
truck we're using ('99 Silverado 1500), what the total tow weight is,
etc.

"Don White" wrote in message
...

yada yada...


Forgot to mention...we weighed the boat and trailer at a gov't highway weigh
station and boat/trailer combo hit the scales at 1060 kg...
about 2337 pounds.
Outboard, gas can & anchor were in the pickup bed & not included in this
weight. (nor was any non-boating stuff like luggage)

"M. Baker" wrote in message
oups.com...

Don't know about the tire pressure - maybe that was the problem, since
BOTH of them blew out hours apart.


You just said something important. You **MUST** make a point of knowing
about the tire pressure.

Yeah, I know. It was so hard this time, being as we JUST got the boat
a week before, and had all the legal stuff to take care of
quickly(registration, insurance, etc.), getting the wiring squared
away to connect for the trailer lights, and figuring out what all to
take, etc. My husband tried checking the pressure with the gauge he
has in his truck, but it only went up to 40, and it went well past
that. I think he said the 14" tires were rated for 50psi.



On Aug 23, 1:53 pm, "JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
"M. Baker" wrote in message

oups.com...

Don't know about the tire pressure - maybe that was the problem, since
BOTH of them blew out hours apart.

You just said something important. You **MUST** make a point of knowing
about the tire pressure.