View Full Version : 13" of 14" tires
IaDave
02-16-2009, 07:01 AM
I was at dealer yesterday negotiating on a Navigator 165 tiller. The trailer is rated to 2200# and with 13" tires. I questioned him on the tire size because the Lund 1675 Proguide I am also looking at has 14" tires. His explanation was the 13" tires would be better because it will be easier on the suspension. What are your guy's thoughts.
IaDave
02-16-2009, 07:02 AM
bad typing
Hot Runr Guy
02-16-2009, 07:33 AM
Dave,
Tires are the #1 problem area with trailers, so this is certainly an area where more capacity = better life and performance. That 2200# trailer "might" have enough capacity now, but start filling that rig up with stuff, and the weight increases dramatically. My 17' Lund Explorer/75 Opti weighs in at 2400# axle weight, on a scale. And that was not loaded-up to go on vacation, with all kinds of stuff in it.
So it depends on how you'll use it. Just around town, with a minimum of stuff, the 2200# may be enough. But, if you fill it up with all the families stuff (coolers, suitcases, bikes, etc.) add a kicker, batteries and more, you can see how it might be marginal.
HRG
IaDave
02-16-2009, 08:47 AM
Good point. I'm going to upgrade the trailer as I take 2-3 trips to Canada a year.
That he said the 13" tires would be easier on the suspension, shows his absolute lack of knowledge about trailers and tires. That would also lead me to question his knowledge of the boat and motor he is trying to sell you. I'd be looking for a new dealer.
A 2200# trailer is adequate for that boat with minimal load. But, it would be easy to overload it.
Shellback
02-20-2009, 07:07 AM
There could be a bit of truth about 13" tires being easier on the suspension. I would think the sidewalls of the 13" tire wouldn't be as stiff as a 14" tire, there by absorbing more of the shock. Would it be enough to matter, I doubt it. What I would be thinking about is tire revolutions per mile. A 14" tire is going to turn alot less revolutions per mile than a 13". Easier on the tires and the bearings.
2jranch
02-20-2009, 08:19 AM
In replacing 13" tires, do you have much for a choice as for mfg compared to the 14"?
I think so. Goodyear Marathons and Carlisle, you have two load ratings. ST175 @1360 and ST185 @1480. Both @ 50#. Duro, you have the ST185. Maxxis has 3 load ratings, but one is a 4 ply. The other two are 6 ply. There are some other brands out there. These are the most common, and I only list radials.
I recommend the Marathons.
Here is a load chart from Maxxis. Pretty much the same for the other makes.
http://www.maxxis.com/Repository/Files/m8008load.pdf
twobearlake
02-20-2009, 04:27 PM
I am not so patiently waiting for the arrival of my new Nav 165 tiller. I went with a custom trailer from Prestige for the boat. It will have 14" wheels with oil bath hubs and six bunks to support/center the boat. I do not want any issues with my trailers. I love the quality of the build and I also like the fact that it is a family run business (especially in this economy). You might want to at least look at them as an option.
Enjoy your new boat. I can't wait!!! Where is Spring?
TB
I was at dealer yesterday negotiating on a Navigator 165 tiller. The trailer is rated to 2200# and with 13" tires. I questioned him on the tire size because the Lund 1675 Proguide I am also looking at has 14" tires. His explanation was the 13" tires would be better because it will be easier on the suspension. What are your guy's thoughts.
Whoa - you said the TRAILER is rated to 2200#. Doesn't matter then what tires you put on it, it will still be rated for a max of 2200#. That does sound pretty light for the fully loaded boat you intend to put on it.
Now, if you go with the bigger tires, they will be able to handle a much heavier load - but you still will be exceeding what the trailer can carry. Your tires will last longer, and your safety margin from blown tires will be greatly increased. But, you still risk bending axles, weld failures, spring failures, or other related issues with the trailer itself.
Get a trailer with a better load capacity. Then verify that the tires are also up to at least the same capactity, or even more for better safety and longevity......
Hi everyone,
As an owner of a navigator 165 console, That 2200 pound trailer will not be too bad. My shoreland'r is 2300 which is the same frame as their 3000 pound trailer...it just doesn't have the brakes. I verified this through shoreland'r by parts look-up.
Now...the navigator is about 950 pounds. Put a 350 (close to average for a 4 stroke 90hp...his is maxed at 75 which will be lighter to an extent) pound motor on it, and 150 pounds of gas (full tank), couple of batteries bow and rear (200 or 250 given a 24 volt system) and let's say...oh...250 pounds of gear... That would still give him almost 350 pounds of room to play with before the trailer is maxed out.
I'd say he'd be o.k with his poundage of trailer, but if it wouldn't cost much more, getting the extra 200 pound capacity would be a safe bet.
Steve
Allstate48
02-22-2009, 06:58 PM
I run a SC 165 on a Shorelander trailer, with 13 inch tires.Had it since 97. Haven't had any trouble with tires. Good Luck Doug
Brakes don't affect the rating of the trailer. The axle determines the rating. That is why the frame of a 2300# trailer is identical to a 3000# trailer. The axle is heavier, and probably runs bigger tires. Ratings over a certain capacity may require brakes.
Right on the mark...
The axle on the 2005 shoreland'r 2300 pound trailer is a 3000 pound axle. At 3000 pounds, a trailer is required to have brakes in MN...So...they give it a lower rating although the components are the same, save the trailer brakes.
Steve
Smitty
02-23-2009, 12:31 PM
Lots of info here, but regarding trailer load capacity the real answer is "it depends".. You need to understand the capacity of your frame, your axle, and your tires and your true load capacity is the lowest of those. A couple things I've found just trying to understand the trailers I've bought/owned.
In most cases the frame doesn't vary much between a 2000 lb and a 3000lb trailer. Probably less expensive for the manufacturer to make a consistent frame I'd imagine.
Many trailers will have axles rated for more than the rated capacity of the trailer they're on. Again, this way they can use the same axle on multiple models of trailer. Just my opinion, but I'd also expect that most manufacturers don't want the frame or the axle to be the "weakest link" on the trailer.
With that information, what I've found is that in the vast majority of cases the rating of the trailer is dictated by the tire load capacity. Simple enough, find the load capacity of your tire and double it (unless a tandem axle trailer).
As an example, with the older ShoreLandr trailers the 2,400, 2,800, and 3,100 lb trailers all had the same frame and all had a 3,500lb axle. The only difference was in the tires (and where necessary the 3,100 had brakes to meet regulatory requirements for some states) other than possible fenders / mouting brackets to accomodate the different tire sizes.
Regarding 13" or 14" tires, it depends on how you plan to load the rig down but I'd probably err on the side of the 14" tires for additional load capacity. A blown tire going down the highway is going to do a lot more damage to that trailer than "up sizing" the tires by 1". :)