Thread:

Trailer tire help

I have an extreme trailer with 235/60/15 tires which I'm hearing are low profile and tough to find for a trailer. Anyone run into this problem with an extreme trailer or have any ideas? I'd rather not have to cut and raise the fenders just to fit a trailer tire.... I've also been told that the company (Carlisle) isn't even making the tire any longer. Forgot to mention that the existing fenders are set up for this size tire and don't have room to go to a different tire size????

The boat is a 28 ft Howard Sport Deck. Not sure on the weight, but I'd assume 5000 lbs. it just sucks that they make a trailer that tires aren't even available.

Originally Posted by Moneypit

How heavy is the boat? You may be able to find standard car tires in that size, but many shops won't install car tires on a trailer due to liability issues... If you can get away with car tire's load range, just take the rims in and don't mention they're going on a trailer...
Ray
PS you might try that web site "tire mart" or something like that....For real trailer tires..

i just put 6 tow masters on my competive trailer that hauls a 28 conquest.. these were the same tires that came with the trailer.. mine are f65-14 very good wear ran them for 8 years before buying new ones.. look at americas tire discount tires

Maybe it's just me, but I do radial car tires on all my trailers for boats. I just make sure the load range of the tire is appropriate for the weight it will be carrying, and then some. For example, 3000 pound boat with 800 pound aluminum trailer, round up to 4000 pounds. 4000 pounds divided by 4 tires is a load capacity of 1000 per tire, most decent tires can sustain that weight with a 34# cold pressure. Trailer tires tend to have a stiffer sidewall, and run higher pressures resulting in more shock to the boat and components than a softer radial. Just my thought.

I was just talking to a tire guy about trailer tires. He said the trailer tires the same size had a higher load range per tire.


14 inch tires were rated to carry 1500 more per tire.

Trailer tires have more ply side wall compare to a car tire. you may be able to find a good truck tire with a higher side wall rating.

Originally Posted by bigjack1129

I have an extreme trailer with 235/60/15 tires which I'm hearing are low profile and tough to find for a trailer. Anyone run into this problem with an extreme trailer or have any ideas? I'd rather not have to cut and raise the fenders just to fit a trailer tire.... I've also been told that the company (Carlisle) isn't even making the tire any longer. Forgot to mention that the existing fenders are set up for this size tire and don't have room to go to a different tire size????

Who told you that Carlisle isnt making them anymore? I have the same trailer with the same tires. I bought 6 brand new ones last year from Discount Tire here in San Diego and got the lifetime warranty with them. So far they have been great; made about 8 trips to Havasu/Parker(about 600 miles round trip) on them plus a bunch of local trips to the lake. When i went looking for new tires to fit the rims and have them be direct replacements for the originals that were on there(manuf. date of 2004)it seemed that Discount/Americas Tire was the only place that stocked them.

I was told by a tire shop in havasu that the tire will be discontinued soon. Prob BS but there was 5 available in all havasu at $180 each. FYI, I have an extreme trailer and ended up speaking with Carlisle and they covered my old tires and sent me 7 new ones no charge. They did give me a different size tire in case I have issue in the future.

Thanks for the feedback

Originally Posted by Supercup

Hi,

I had the same tires, they are car tires not trailer tires and they do sitll make them. I have a 2005 25 howard bullet - got a flat going to Tahoe last summer - went to put on the spare ad it was a 14", where the rest were 15" (guess a 15" tire and wheel would not fit in the spare slot on the Ellis trailer). I found that my boat was delivered with the same tires you have, which turned out to be car tires, much cheaper than trailer tires and now as well suited to handling the load as a trailer tire. I have an Ellis trailer and this was their "upgraded tire and wheel package" (guess this was one of the ways Ellis cut corners and made money).

I was on I-5 - so I put on the spare, looked odd being smaller but worked fine - called America's Tire in Stockton and on our way by stopped and they installed 4 new trailer tires. I wanted Goodyear Marathon, but they did not have - so I went with their premium trailer tire brand, which was cheaper. I had no clearence issues going with a similar size trailer tire (they are 225's versus what you have).

I was in and out of America's tire in 45 minutes - no harm no foul - no more tire worries for 4-5 years with 4 new tires. I would go someplace like America's tire or Discount Tire, who are all over the place as if you have an issue they will be close by to deal with it. They take great care of you.

I would get rid of the Carlise tires, they were never meant for your boat trailer and once they start to crack on the side you will have blowouts. My blowout fragged the fender and step behind the rear tire when the entire tread flew off and it also hit the side of the boat and put a few big dings in the gelcoat on the side of the boat, not to mention a major black streak.

Cost to repair the fender was about the same as 4 tires - do yourself a favor and just get 4 real trailer tires and forget the issue and focus on having fun! You should have no clearence issue with regular trailer tires, that is what the trailer was designed for (assuming you have an ellis trailer, like I do).

Good luck.

Old boat, but just did my Ellis trailer tires for my 25 bullet, and what do you know one wheel was also a 14

I learned the hard way that it pays to buy tires from a national tire store. I only buy from Big-O tires. I had a blow out in Utah, found a Big-O and they pro rated and replaced the tire. Had two tires blow between Colorado and Havasu. Same deal with a Big-O store in eastern Az. They're everywhere!!!!! Also, I always go for the highest load rating I can find in a trailer tire. If I can get a 10 ply then I go for it.