Tires on my 99 epic

[Only Toyota For Me]

I noticed my 9 year old goodyear's are starting to weather crack inside the tread.

I talked to my dad who owns a tire shop, and he suggests that you should replace boat tires about every 6-8 years. What happens is the tires won't ever wear out, they'll just come apart on you. Looks like i'll be replacing them real soon before i go to lake powell.
He say's i don't have much choice in a 6-ply 14". But he has some that's worked pretty well and they're not too expensive.

I'd like to know what everyone else is running.

[cyclone]

I go through a tire or two a season, heh. Make sure they don't rub the inner fender. I run whatever generic trailer tire they have in stock at my local tire place. They have two grades, I get the better ones, they're about 75$ ea.

[Lakeside]

Be sure to check the tire stems, too.  They also can have dry rot.  If one fails, you will have a blow out. 

[breakawaydaze]

I put Carlisle trailer tires on my trailer last time.  Seems like a good tire so far.  The Goodyear Marathons seemed overpriced and over rated.  I bought them at Discount tire.  I also had them use off road valve stems.  They are all metal except the inner rim seal.  Will not rot or crack.  They cost 10.00 extra for all four.  Well worth it.  I have had 2 tire failures due to regular valve stems rotting and leaking air.  Check this out for trailer tire facts & Info.  Do not get the ones with the crome sleeve over the rubber stem, it actually gets hotter and cuts the stem life in half.

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTrailerTireFacts.dos

P.S.  Many trailer tires never get balanced, I guess people figure they are not riding in the boat on the trailer so who cares.  But an unbalanced trailer tire will slowly beat the crap out of your boat.  It will loosen rubber seals, shake electrical connections and generally beat your boat into a slow death! 

Look at the wear pattern of your old tires, yes a trailer can get out of alignment!  One big bump can change your axle angle a few degrees and eat up tires in no time!  A specific trailer repair shop should have the knowledge to straighten things up! 

DO NOT FORGET TO GREASE THE HUBS!   .45 cents of grease and 1 minute of time can save an entire day on the lake!

[sailtl]

Great information on the Discount Tire link. I put new Goodyears back on mine this season. They were 9 years old and I knew I was on borrowed time. I trailer about 2,000 miles per year and everything needs to be right with the trailer. I repack the wheel bearings every fall and put in new grease seals, check the brakes and bleed the brakes. It is just cheap insurance.

Remember to check the torque on the lug nuts!

[westtx]

I had 2 blowouts on one trip with my 99 tires last summer. I recommend you re-shod!

[Ktown]

I would highly recommend the tires I purchased for my trailer last year.  I had heard lots of stories and found quite a few reviews of folks who had goodyear, carlisle, etc... and had blowouts.  While most of these folks probably did not ensure they did not have dry-rot or tires were not inflated properly or were driving faster than rated speed, etc..., there is one truth to all these trailer tires.  They are built to go 65 or less and aren't built to the highest standards.  I searched and searched for the best tire and found only one true trailer tire that is rated at Texas Highway speeds (they are actually Q rated to 99MPH).  The tire is made by Kumho, which makes a line of commercial tires.  They were about $100 (shipped and installed) each.  They are available from tire rack.  The model is the Kumho Radial 857 and you can find more detailed information here http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Kumho&model=Radial+857&tirePageLocQty=  I also used gorilla metal protected valve stems (not sure if this really helps, but it makes me feel better).

I would still recommend taking two spares on any trip (I used my old Goodyears as spares).  Let us know what you decide.

[Only Toyota For Me]

Great information on the Discount Tire link. I put new Goodyears back on mine this season. They were 9 years old and I knew I was on borrowed time. I trailer about 2,000 miles per year and everything needs to be right with the trailer. I repack the wheel bearings every fall and put in new grease seals, check the brakes and bleed the brakes. It is just cheap insurance.

Remember to check the torque on the lug nuts!

I've never replaced the seals on my trailer. Do you think i should? The boat itself only has 270 hrs on it.

I noticed the inner side of the front wheel has some grease spirted on them, but the rear's are okay.

As far as repacking the bearings (i've been going to have an inside look but haven't done it yet), is it really necessary? Looking at the type of grease eark on them, they look like the ones that actually do get the rear bearing pretty good. No?
I always grease before every trip.

If you think it's wise to replace the seals & repack, then i will do it before i go to powell. What do you think? I've got the seals & bearings in the garage.

Anything else you'd recomend?

I know the boat is getting up there in age & i'd like to play it safe.

Thanks for the replies.

[Only Toyota For Me]

I would highly recommend the tires I purchased for my trailer last year.  I had heard lots of stories and found quite a few reviews of folks who had goodyear, carlisle, etc... and had blowouts.  While most of these folks probably did not ensure they did not have dry-rot or tires were not inflated properly or were driving faster than rated speed, etc..., there is one truth to all these trailer tires.  They are built to go 65 or less and aren't built to the highest standards.  I searched and searched for the best tire and found only one true trailer tire that is rated at Texas Highway speeds (they are actually Q rated to 99MPH).  The tire is made by Kumho, which makes a line of commercial tires.  They were about $100 (shipped and installed) each.  They are available from tire rack.  The model is the Kumho Radial 857 and you can find more detailed information here http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Kumho&model=Radial+857&tirePageLocQty=  I also used gorilla metal protected valve stems (not sure if this really helps, but it makes me feel better).

I would still recommend taking two spares on any trip (I used my old Goodyears as spares).  Let us know what you decide.

This is good info. Thanks.

I do like to drive fast pulling the boat, so i think i'll have dad check on some LT tires or something better.

You know what's funny, i've never had a spare nor have i ever needed one. Lucky i guess, huh?

[sailtl]

The grease zerk does go to the inner bearing and it does work. I may be paranoid but when I service the bearings and seals in the fall the grease always has some water in it. If you have new seals I would recommend that you take the time and repack the bearings you have and put new seals in. Also bleed the brakes because brake fluid absorbs moisture. Clean up the rotors with brake clean and you should be good to go.

Remember to check the torque on the lug nuts before you go and before you return.

[Ktown]

Just to clarify, the Kumho tires are not LT's.  As far as I know, they are the only ST (specialty/trailer tire) that is rated above 65.  I have heard LT's may not be the best tires to put on a trailer.  I honestly don't work for Kumho, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[DENNIS]

Make sure and check your valve stems, they will rot out and you will get a flat.  I know that from experience.

Dennis

[Only Toyota For Me]

I appreciate all your guy's tips on this.

I just had some 6 ply's put on yesterday with new hi psi valve stems & i also had them balanced.

They costed me $59 each plus services. Not bad i guess.

Dad says they haven't had any problem with them. Only time will tell i guess.

Thanks again for the advice.