Boat trailer tires don't really seem like something you need to put a lot of thought and time into buying, but the fact is there are a few things you should consider before buying them. These three tips will help you get better life and a safer ride from your trailer.
The first thing you should consider is the size of the tires. A lot of boat trailer have pretty small wheels, but even then you can often fit different sizes of tires on them. And if that isn't possible, you may be able to replace the rims with larger ones.
In general, having a larger tire is better. There are several reasons for this:
- A larger tire is more forgiving of potholes and other road hazards, saving your boat from getting bounced and jostled around as much
- Less wear and tear on the wheel bearings
- Reduced tire wear
Tires for boat trailers can range in size from 8 inches to 16 inches. Going too big may mean having to make other modifications to your trailer, such as raising or removing the fenders, so you might need to balance the size requirements against any other changes necessary and find a happy medium.
The second thing to watch for when buying tires for your trailer is to be sure you get some that are rated for trailer use. They will have a higher load range and because a trailer doesn't steer like a car or truck, the sidewall construction is a bit different. Make sure you get them from a dealer that understands the difference.
They will also have capacity ratings for the amount of weight they can carry. Remember that all the equipment you throw in the boat adds lbs to the total, so it's more than just the weight of the boat to consider.
The third thing to keep in mind when buying tires for your trailer is the type of weather and road conditions you'll be driving in. Trailer tires come in different tread patterns and ratings just like car and truck tires, and you need to be sure they're rated properly for the conditions you'll be in.
If you keep these three tips in mind when shopping for new trailer tires, you'll get a set that will last longer and do a better job for you over that time.