Trailer tire temperatures

[jimbo2]

Hers the situation, I just bought a used 2600# trailer for my boat, The rig weighs in around 2000# fully loaded (boat motor gas batteries etc.) Th trailer has 13 inch tires rated at 1340# a piece so that adds up. When I pul my boat to a local lake, about 10 mi. and I feel the tires, the treads are warm and a small portion of the sidewall closest to the treads is also warm, while my truck tires are not. My old trailer had 14" bias ply car tires on it (the only good thing about the trailer) and they were never warm either. Am I getting worked up over nothing or do I need to make some changes somewhere. I have the tires properly inflated, the trailer is a Spartan, the tires are BF Goodrich, non-radial. in like new cond. I really need some help here as my yearly trip to Winnie is approaching and I don't want any problems!!
Thanks for any help!!!

[MR.Pike]

Jim, I will watch this thread myself. I have the same situation! Although I've wondered for about 2 years. My trailer tires get pretty warm, warm enough that I smell warm/hot rubber. I will admit that I've got a good sniffer but I was always worried about this too. I keep a close eye on the pressure and keep the tires right at the recommended 50psi. The more feedback the better on this topic the better. It seems that they get hot even after 5 miles on my trailer.But I have never had a blowout or flat and wanna keep it that way!




<;{{{{{<<( Mr.Pike

[jimbo2]

misery loves company, but company doesn't love misery. sounds like you have it worse than me. I hope somebody can shed some light on this.

[Planocat]

I'm anything but an expert on tires. But, while researching a new trailer for my boat vs increasing tire size of existing trailer, I ran across a chart that may explain your elevated temperatures on the trailer tires. Revolutions per mile on the 175/80 R13 showed at 868. RPM on the 225/75 R15 showed at 736. Would certainly account for an increase in temperatures on the smaller tires. Your truck tires are probably larger than the above example.

I'd say the tire makers know what their product is capable of and, if you are within their limits of carrying capacity, keep the bearings lubed, the tire pressure at max. and enjoy the ride.

Have a great trip.
Planocat

[Pitts]

Warm tires are nothing to worry about up to about 100F or so but hot tires like Mr. pike describes seems like they would be too warm. You are right to keep them at the correct pressure and check them when you are traveling at every stop also check the hubs they should be about the same temp. as the tires.
Passenger car tires are not rated for trailer weights and will not hold up over the long haul on a trailers. The sidewalls have to much flex and they will get hot and fail.
My 3500 lb boat is on 14" goodyear marathons and yes they get warm when traveling.

Good Fishing

Pitts

[Suzuki]

My experience is that my trailer tires and hub get warm when trailering. This appears to be normal. Like in previous posts if they are extremely hot there is probably an issue with either underinflated tire or bearing issues.

[FJH1]

I trailer my boat back and forth from our home in N. Illinois to our cottage in N. Wisconsin. I've made it a habit to always feel the temperature of the hubs and tires whenever I have to stop for kids potty breaks, gas, food... Compared to my truck tires the trailer tires are always warmer. The hubs always seem to be the same temp as the tires. And yes, they are warm to the touch.

Best Regards,

FJH

[jimbo2]

Thanks guys, I won't worry so much now!!
Heading out to Fish lake today, the weather is finally giving in!!
Good luck fishing!

[GeoMN]

I just read a great article on trailer tires from the latest Bass & Walleye Boats magazine. They did mention that car tires are not as thick on the sidewalls as trailer tires, and that the sidewalls will heatup fast. They strongly recommended to put trailer tires on. Cost around $80 for regular bias. Check out the article if you can.