www.iFourWinns.com

OK, I am replacing the wheels and tires on my trailer (so everything matches) and I cant get a straight answer on what size and ply of tire I am to run.

The wheels on the trailer currently:

Left: F78 14ST or ST205/75D 14
Right: G78 14ST or ST215/75D 14

Mismatched go figure....


My question lies in what size should I be running, Four Winns could not give me an exact size for the boat but mentioned those sizes above, as both being an option, a 180 Horizon. I have a few major questions:

A - What ply tire do I need to run, 2, 4, 6, 12???
B - What width is the best, 205, 215, +???
C - What is the gig with Radial tires on trailers???



Any input would be great. I am planning to pick up a set tomorrow to get the trailer on the road next weekend, safely.

-Rob

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Rob

Present: 1999 Formula 280SS
Past: 1989 180 Horizon

http://www.robcamerondesign.com

A - What ply tire do I need to run, 2, 4, 6, 12??? I personally would go with the highest ply with the correct wieght rating that will carry the boat. If GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) is 5000 lbs I would go with a combined (add all the tires 'max load' together), then add another approx 20-30% for safety margin, so i would want tires that would carry around 6500 lbs.


B - What width is the best, 205, 215, +??? That one is up to you. I like wider, just because it will have a higher weight capacity rating.


C - What is the gig with Radial tires on trailers??? Radials are what you want!!! Bias have been out of the picture for many years now. Ya you can find them if you really want them.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

What he said...

Totally agree.

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Rob
2007 Four Winns 180 Horizon

Thank you for the input.

To clear things up what does GVWR stand for? Gross Vehicle Weight ****?

So with the trailer being a single axle would I need the combined max weight of the two tires to = greater than the 2470lbs the manual says it ways?

So stating that the tire for example being:
Load Range: B (4-ply)
Max. Capacity: 1430 lbs. each

doubled = 2860lbs would be ok for my trailering needs?

or should I look into a Load Range: C (6-ply) / Max. Capacity: 1760 lbs. each?


I just want to ensure I understand what I need and can maximize my dollar.

_________________
Rob

Present: 1999 Formula 280SS
Past: 1989 180 Horizon

http://www.robcamerondesign.com

GVWR stands for Gross vehicle weight rating. Basically it is the maximum combined weight of your boat and trailer.

I would get the 215 radials with a 'C' load range. Then you are covered if you overload the trailer some how.

I would be more worried about brakes and bearing than having mismatch tires....if they are in good shape spend your money other places first. Make sure you always have a spare and you should be good to go.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Round ones work the best from my experience.

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"Where Da Go"
2002 248 Vista
Lafayette, IN
http://blueoceanlife.worldventures.biz

Roger that. I was thinking running the 215s, I will see how I can do on a set of C rated tires as well.

I am doing everything on the trailer as well. My trailer has no brakes, but I am doing all the bearings, greasing the springs, checking over every bolt, etc.

I need to replace both tires due to them being dry rotted and nasty. One tire is a radial and the other is not. I am keeping the better of the two as a spare.


Thanks for the input, specifically woggy

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Rob

Present: 1999 Formula 280SS
Past: 1989 180 Horizon

http://www.robcamerondesign.com

Only keep the 'better' of the two if its less than a couple years old. If your buying tires might as well have a good spare so when you need it, so it won't fail on ya.

Tires are only good for 5-7 years then they dry rot, heat up going down the road and pop!

Having 4 trailers in the backyard, been there, done that!!

Current boat, I went with a load range 'E' radial tire, if I remember correctly its a 10 ply. Think the weight rating is 2830 lbs. (which gives me 11,320 lbs in carrying capacity) boat and trailer weigh in around 9000 lbs. wet.
What I have learned, get the heaviest tire you can get for the wheel/rim you have, you can always adjust tire stiffness by adjusting air pressure up to the max pressure stamped on tire. Usually for trailers I keep air at max, which will keep tire stiff and heat down.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

You can go with the 215-75-14 ST tires, that's the largest size that you can get for 14 in wheels. I have heard and read (championtrailers.com) that bias tires cause less sway especially on single axle trailers than do radials due to the fact that bias plys have stiffer sidewalls. Depending on what you tow with and how far you go, I'd consider adding surge brakes if the axle has brake flanges on it. I did this a few years ago on the single axle Load Rite my 88 200 came on and it made a huge difference. Most new Load Rites and Ventures come with Load Star bias ply trailer tires, I have these on my old 94 Load Rite and they have worked well for the past 5 seasons.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

That's exactly what I ended up going with.

I ordered 2 - new white wagon wheels / 2 - Champion 215/75/14-ST Bias tires. (reason for two new wheels is neither wheel matches on the trailer. I wanted everything to be matching and correct. New is always better)

Total: $212.00 mounted, valve stems, etc.


I felt it was a pretty good deal. Considering the local marine stores wanted $189.99 each! I couldn't even do better on the internet.

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Rob

Present: 1999 Formula 280SS
Past: 1989 180 Horizon

http://www.robcamerondesign.com