service your trailer often
03-09-2010, 11:42 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
service your trailer often
I always stay on top of my stuff and don't skimp on equipment. Quick story, I purchased my used enclosed featherlite about a year and a half ago. The first thing I did when I brought it home is replace all the hubs, bearings, brakes, wheels, tires, wiring, etc.with brand new equipment.I don't skimp on things that are important. Well, its been sitting for 9 months now and I plan on using it soon. It has almost 600 miles on it since I replaced the above components so I figured it was time to adjust the bearings and brakes. After doing so I noticed all the valve stems were cracked a bit so I decided to replace them. One tire was lower than the other three, but I didn't bother looking it over. I just went to the tire shop, told them to replace the valve stems and asked if they could dunk the questionable tire in the water. Before even getting to that when they turned the tire over and the question was answered. I tried to link a photo.
Bottom line, I stay on top of all my equipment and it finally paid off. Keep in mind these tires are only 1-1/2 years old and although they are left outside the sidewall that broke was on the inside so no sunlight exposure. They have less than 600 miles on them and pressures and torque are set before every tow.
I always stay on top of my stuff and don't skimp on equipment.
Bottom line, I stay on top of all my equipment and it finally paid off. Keep in mind these tires are only 1-1/2 years old and although they are left outside the sidewall that broke was on the inside so no sunlight exposure. They have less than 600 miles on them and pressures and torque are set before every tow.
I always stay on top of my stuff and don't skimp on equipment.
03-10-2010, 12:33 AM
#2
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2006
Location: Phoenix Arizona
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I always stay on top of my stuff and don't skimp on equipment. Quick story, I purchased my used enclosed featherlite about a year and a half ago. The first thing I did when I brought it home is replace all the hubs, bearings, brakes, wheels, tires, wiring, etc.with brand new equipment.I don't skimp on things that are important. Well, its been sitting for 9 months now and I plan on using it soon. It has almost 600 miles on it since I replaced the above components so I figured it was time to adjust the bearings and brakes. After doing so I noticed all the valve stems were cracked a bit so I decided to replace them. One tire was lower than the other three, but I didn't bother looking it over. I just went to the tire shop, told them to replace the valve stems and asked if they could dunk the questionable tire in the water. Before even getting to that when they turned the tire over and the question was answered. I tried to link a photo.
Bottom line, I stay on top of all my equipment and it finally paid off. Keep in mind these tires are only 1-1/2 years old and although they are left outside the sidewall that broke was on the inside so no sunlight exposure. They have less than 600 miles on them and pressures and torque are set before every tow.
I always stay on top of my stuff and don't skimp on equipment.
Bottom line, I stay on top of all my equipment and it finally paid off. Keep in mind these tires are only 1-1/2 years old and although they are left outside the sidewall that broke was on the inside so no sunlight exposure. They have less than 600 miles on them and pressures and torque are set before every tow.
I always stay on top of my stuff and don't skimp on equipment.
did you use proper rated tires? 
03-10-2010, 12:48 AM
#3
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Oct 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
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That almost looks like you ran over something sharp that just came up close enough to the tire to cut the rubber casing but not cut through the fabric.
Bill
Bill
03-10-2010, 12:49 AM
#4
Burning Brakes
Excellent advice TB!!
I serviced my trailer this past weekend. Re-packed the wheels bearings, checked the brakes, inspected the wiring, rotated the tires and even washed and waxed it. Made for a good days work.
Dave
I serviced my trailer this past weekend. Re-packed the wheels bearings, checked the brakes, inspected the wiring, rotated the tires and even washed and waxed it. Made for a good days work.
Dave
03-10-2010, 02:11 AM
#5
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
When I replaced the tires I put on the same c rated 205 type tires that were on there originally from featherlite. I had the tire shop look to see if they have any d rated and they are 225's, but I've got room so I'll go with those next.
Seems like trailer tires are hit and miss. On my open trailer I've probably got 30k or more total miles. At about the mid-point I replaced all hubs, bearings, brakes, tires, etc., just like my other trailer mentioned above. Those tires now have probably 15k miles (rough estimate) are nearly bald and have yet to leak air. Plus they are quite old. I recently loaded that trailer with a full load and no issues.
It's possible something on my last tow could have sliced the tire. It was on the inside so not obvious.
Now, if I could only find some reputable trailer tires not made in china.
Seems like trailer tires are hit and miss. On my open trailer I've probably got 30k or more total miles. At about the mid-point I replaced all hubs, bearings, brakes, tires, etc., just like my other trailer mentioned above. Those tires now have probably 15k miles (rough estimate) are nearly bald and have yet to leak air. Plus they are quite old. I recently loaded that trailer with a full load and no issues.
It's possible something on my last tow could have sliced the tire. It was on the inside so not obvious.
Now, if I could only find some reputable trailer tires not made in china.
03-10-2010, 07:03 AM
#6
Team Owner
When I replaced the tires I put on the same c rated 205 type tires that were on there originally from featherlite. I had the tire shop look to see if they have any d rated and they are 225's, but I've got room so I'll go with those next.
Seems like trailer tires are hit and miss. On my open trailer I've probably got 30k or more total miles. At about the mid-point I replaced all hubs, bearings, brakes, tires, etc., just like my other trailer mentioned above. Those tires now have probably 15k miles (rough estimate) are nearly bald and have yet to leak air. Plus they are quite old. I recently loaded that trailer with a full load and no issues.
It's possible something on my last tow could have sliced the tire. It was on the inside so not obvious.
Now, if I could only find some reputable trailer tires not made in china.
Seems like trailer tires are hit and miss. On my open trailer I've probably got 30k or more total miles. At about the mid-point I replaced all hubs, bearings, brakes, tires, etc., just like my other trailer mentioned above. Those tires now have probably 15k miles (rough estimate) are nearly bald and have yet to leak air. Plus they are quite old. I recently loaded that trailer with a full load and no issues.
It's possible something on my last tow could have sliced the tire. It was on the inside so not obvious.
Now, if I could only find some reputable trailer tires not made in china.
Here you go http://www.titanstore.com/search.php made in America probably last ones. Hope they make trailer tires I did not search. They brought suit against Chinese tires being dumped here illegally and won. I use their ties on my telescopic forklifts. Chinese 350 Titan 500 bucks. I use to buy GY but they went to Indonesia and finally bailed on the whole market and sold to Titan. You get what you pay for. I would rather have a GY not made here if that is the last choice at least I would hope GY has conrol of the quality. Next tires will be Titan if they make them for my trailer.
They also have an entire line of trailer parts.
I got stuck and had to buy a Chinese tire for the Lull because the dealer only had that crap. Chinese tire vs Titan result is Titan is wearing better, rub the Chinese tire and it is like charcoal turns your hand black. It is breaking down from UV. F'in junk and more will come as most people here only look for cheap. Both tires on same machine and Chinese tire is about 3 weeks older, Now I just keep two Titans in stock if I need one.
I heed to get the Chinese tire off and sell it. I don't want to have a load up 48 feet and the tire blows and telehandler will just go over. If we don't buy American their will be no choice as it is in many cases already.
China can't make a toy or dog food with out poison.
Last edited by John Shiels; 03-10-2010 at 07:21 AM.
03-10-2010, 07:27 AM
#8
Race Director
My featherlite is about 2 years old, but only has around 2000miles on it. I had a d-rated Carlisle "unroll" on the way to VIR in the fall. Literally, the tread just came off, BUT LUCKILY the chord was intact and I made it to the track before changing it.
As another thread has already discussed, trailer tires in particular seem to be crap crap crap.
As another thread has already discussed, trailer tires in particular seem to be crap crap crap.
03-10-2010, 07:31 AM
#9
Team Owner
My featherlite is about 2 years old, but only has around 2000miles on it. I had a d-rated Carlisle "unroll" on the way to VIR in the fall. Literally, the tread just came off, BUT LUCKILY the chord was intact and I made it to the track before changing it.
As another thread has already discussed, trailer tires in particular seem to be crap crap crap.
As another thread has already discussed, trailer tires in particular seem to be crap crap crap.
03-10-2010, 09:07 AM
#10
Team Owner
What brand of tire was that? It does look sort of like a factory defect, but I'm not sure about the slight bulge on the right edge of the orange area. Something is just sticking out that does not look like cord material.
03-10-2010, 04:33 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
I've seen a couple of people post about valve stems. Mine busted less than a year old. Was backing up to the garage to check pressures and noticed a flat tire. When I put the air hose on it busted completely off. Went to check the others and they all busted when I bent them a little. Put metal replacements on all 5.
03-10-2010, 06:15 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Thanks for the link John.
The tires say towmaster 2 on them.
Every where I've looked trailer tires (except goodyear) all have some stupid name and seem to be chinese garbage.
The tires say towmaster 2 on them.
Every where I've looked trailer tires (except goodyear) all have some stupid name and seem to be chinese garbage.
03-10-2010, 07:25 PM
#13
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
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before I bought mine I used to rent them
every one blew at least one tire
could never figure out why trailer tires are smaller than then tire on the vehicle your towing
every one blew at least one tire
could never figure out why trailer tires are smaller than then tire on the vehicle your towing
03-10-2010, 07:58 PM
#15
Team Owner
I have heard stories about the Goodyear Marathon tire not being that reliable. I see on the Tire Rack website that they now carry Kumho radial trailer tires. Anyone know anything about them??
03-10-2010, 08:54 PM
#16
Team Owner
03-10-2010, 09:47 PM
#17
Race Director
need to get about 4 of my trailer tires changed out on my triple axle used 40' enclosed the guy had regular tires on it, ended up blowing 2 of the six just last year 
they were regular rated M+S car tyres though
they were regular rated M+S car tyres though
03-11-2010, 01:38 PM
#18
Team Owner
Just looked at the GY Marathon I just bought and it is made in USA. I had good luck with them on my 10,000 lb trailer. I have had 10,000 lb on the trailer
03-11-2010, 07:43 PM
#19
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Les Schwab was on the list as a distributor for titan so I called them. They said they can get them, but they had problems with them peeling off so their supplier stopped carrying them. They told me they sell goodyear and carlisle most often. I preferred to have a bias tire and goodyear only has radials, but the sales man assured me that the radials can take as much load as the bias and there would be no issues so I went with a set of goodyears. I'm upgrading from a 205 C rating to a 225 D which gives me several thousand lbs. more capacity for the set.
03-11-2010, 09:36 PM
#20
Team Owner
Les Schwab was on the list as a distributor for titan so I called them. They said they can get them, but they had problems with them peeling off so their supplier stopped carrying them. They told me they sell goodyear and carlisle most often. I preferred to have a bias tire and goodyear only has radials, but the sales man assured me that the radials can take as much load as the bias and there would be no issues so I went with a set of goodyears. I'm upgrading from a 205 C rating to a 225 D which gives me several thousand lbs. more capacity for the set.