Harvey et al., Regarding the radial vs. bias tire issue: 1) There has been much discussion regarding radial tires having more sway than comparably sized bias ply tires. It is absolutely true that *passenger car radials* have more sidewall flex, and this will translate to more sway at the trailer. Dedicated trailer radials (with 'ST' prefix = 'Special Trailer'), on the other hand, have reinforced sidewalls commensurate with their load rating. A good trailer radial will outlast most bias ply tires, and will provide reduced rolling resistance and a better ride. 2) If you have an M15 with 12" wheels/tires and want radials, you are probably stuck with passenger car versions, as the smallest true trailer radial I could find was in the 13" size. I have 12" Goodyear Tiempo Radials (passenger car) on My M15 trailer (Trailrite), and the only time I have noticed any sway at all was during an extreme evasive maneuver. The improvement in ride quality was enormous, and even after many thousands of miles, show virtually no wear. Still, if trailer radials would have been available, I would have purchased them instead. 3) If you have an M17 with 13" or larger wheels/tires, you have several choices. I am partial to the Goodyear Marathon Trailer Radials. These can be had in 13" for about $50.00/per tire (plus shipping) from tirerack.com. Given the added weight of the M17, I would spring the extra few dollars for the real trailer radial (I am putting four new 15" load range 'D' Goodyear Marathon Radials on my Flicka trailer, and they are still quite reasonable at about $80.00/tire). 4) Beware cheap (and some not so cheap) bias ply tires. I went through two sets of 12" bias ply tires in less than 2000 miles when I first bought my M15. To quote my local trailer shop guru: "Most bias ply tires are junk...only a few are any good at all." If you do go bias, make sure to get a name brand with a nationally recognized warranty. In many cases you will pay more for a mediocre bias tire than a good trailer radial. 5) Match the tire load rating (a, b, c, d, etc.) to your total boat/trailer/gear/fuel/etc. The difference in price between a 'b' and 'c' rated tire is mere pennies. On the other hand, do not buy tires that are grossly overrated for your load, as the ride will be punishing, and running higher rated tires at reduced pressures as compensation might result in heat related failure. $0.02 Scott M15 #478 'bebe' PSC Flicka In a message dated 5/27/04 9:32:34 AM, montgomery_boats-request@mailman.xmission.com writes:
Hi Gang...
Finally got around to freeing the bolts on the trailer...no big deal with an impact wrench <whew!!>
Now for a new pair of tires. Someone mentioned WalMart having Douglas radials for about $30 or thereabouts.
No one at my WalMart, or even their 800 customer service number knows about these, or any other trailer tires.
I can get them at the local tire store, but $135/pair out the door is a tad steep if I can find cheaper ones somewhere.
Any ideas??
Harvey/ Ga
Harvey, Looks like your looking for tires for a M-17, but I thought I would add my comments regarding trailer tires. In 3 years we went through 3 sets of bias ply 12" tires on our M-15. All the tires developed some sort of structural failure, i.e.. bubbles on the tread or side walls, separating tread, etc. Each time we purchased we tried to find the best quality bias ply available. It is also worth noting that we loaded our camping gear into our M-15, causing a heavier than normal load, and trailered several thousand miles each year, some of which was across the hot Nevada desert. After much frustration our local tire shop recommended we put on a set of car radials. We did this and since have had many years of trouble free towing. Yes, the tires do sway a bit from side-side when going over speed bumps and the like. But I am very happy with them and their long-life performance. Randy Graves M-15 #407 From: Wilsometer@aol.com Sent: Thu 5/27/2004 10:44 AM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Trailer Tires--again Harvey et al., Regarding the radial vs. bias tire issue: 1) There has been much discussion regarding radial tires having more sway than comparably sized bias ply tires. It is absolutely true that *passenger car radials* have more sidewall flex, and this will translate to more sway at the trailer. Dedicated trailer radials (with 'ST' prefix = 'Special Trailer'), on the other hand, have reinforced sidewalls commensurate with their load rating. A good trailer radial will outlast most bias ply tires, and will provide reduced rolling resistance and a better ride. 2) If you have an M15 with 12" wheels/tires and want radials, you are probably stuck with passenger car versions, as the smallest true trailer radial I could find was in the 13" size. I have 12" Goodyear Tiempo Radials (passenger car) on My M15 trailer (Trailrite), and the only time I have noticed any sway at all was during an extreme evasive maneuver. The improvement in ride quality was enormous, and even after many thousands of miles, show virtually no wear. Still, if trailer radials would have been available, I would have purchased them instead. 3) If you have an M17 with 13" or larger wheels/tires, you have several choices. I am partial to the Goodyear Marathon Trailer Radials. These can be had in 13" for about $50.00/per tire (plus shipping) from tirerack.com. Given the added weight of the M17, I would spring the extra few dollars for the real trailer radial (I am putting four new 15" load range 'D' Goodyear Marathon Radials on my Flicka trailer, and they are still quite reasonable at about $80.00/tire). 4) Beware cheap (and some not so cheap) bias ply tires. I went through two sets of 12" bias ply tires in less than 2000 miles when I first bought my M15. To quote my local trailer shop guru: "Most bias ply tires are junk...only a few are any good at all." If you do go bias, make sure to get a name brand with a nationally recognized warranty. In many cases you will pay more for a mediocre bias tire than a good trailer radial. 5) Match the tire load rating (a, b, c, d, etc.) to your total boat/trailer/gear/fuel/etc. The difference in price between a 'b' and 'c' rated tire is mere pennies. On the other hand, do not buy tires that are grossly overrated for your load, as the ride will be punishing, and running higher rated tires at reduced pressures as compensation might result in heat related failure. $0.02 Scott M15 #478 'bebe' PSC Flicka In a message dated 5/27/04 9:32:34 AM, montgomery_boats-request@mailman.xmission.com writes:
Hi Gang...
Finally got around to freeing the bolts on the trailer...no big deal with an impact wrench <whew!!>
Now for a new pair of tires. Someone mentioned WalMart having Douglas radials for about $30 or thereabouts.
No one at my WalMart, or even their 800 customer service number knows about these, or any other trailer tires.
I can get them at the local tire store, but $135/pair out the door is a tad steep if I can find cheaper ones somewhere.
Any ideas??
Harvey/ Ga
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