Trailer Tires PSI

[2016SPORTNAUTIQUE200]

I have now blown out 4 tires on the drivers side of my double axle trailer..two separate occasions of course and messed up the fender both times. I usually run between 5psi below max up to max pressure. Have i run over something to do this twice or am i running too much psi? Thoughts?

[NautiqueJeff]

I doubt you're running too much PSI. I run max all the time on mine.

[shag]

Weight even.y distributed in boat? Sounds like the trailer is misaligned to me. By that, maybe the axles/an axle is not square and causing heat to build in the tire. But just a guess.

[2016SPORTNAUTIQUE200]

yes weight is even. it sits level and i pull it with an F150. i hardly carry any extra weight in the boat aa far as gear goes. maybe 200lbs. Boat only weighs 3250. ive seen several Sport 200s on single axles so i find it hard to believe it has to do with weight at all. your allignment idea ive never thought of and not sure how you would fix it without a major undertaking.

[Nautiquehunter]

How fast are you towing? Most trailer tires have a max speed of 65 mph. You may want to check into LT tires the RV guys swear by them.

[2016SPORTNAUTIQUE200]

70-75

[shag]

Only other things I can think is check the bearings on that side, if they are generating heat it could contribute to premature tire failure. (low chance of that probably). If you are well under the weight limit of each tire when divided between 4 tires, a few PSI under max shouldn't matter. I agree with another poster, i always use a tire that is a step up in weight rating/plys. Just to build in a little more safety. Best of luck!

[core-rider]

What load range tires are you running? I'm guessing "C" being it's a 200 on dual axles, but maybe "D". If it is "C" I'd make the move to "D" since you say you can barely carry extra load. Running at or near max tire pressure shouldn't be your problem. I'd also check the date code of the replacement tires to make sure they are within 1 year old when you get them. It seems like trailer tires only seem to last 3-5 years.

For reference I have a 2003 SANTE on a single axle that came with load range "D" tires. They were fine for many years until I noticed 1 developed a separation so I replaced them. That new set only lasted 2 years before separating. I did some math and found I was right on the edge of the load capacity of the tires and moved to load range "E". No problems so far and I'm on the 4 year. I always run 65 psi... tire max is 70 psi.

[2016SPORTNAUTIQUE200]

Load range is C. L rated 75 mph max. 1760 lbs per tire.

[raymanrox]

Load range is C. L rated 75 mph max. 1760 lbs per tire.

I had issues for a few years, then started using tires with higher ratings. move up 1 higher load rating, and get the highest speed rating you can find. Otherwise, drop the tow speed below 65 mph. My last set lasted 7 years on right, 8 years on left. E load range on single axle, I think the speed rating was 72 mph, if memory serves. I rarely tow over 65 tho.

[bturner]

I'm one of the guys you're referencing that's running a single axle trailer. I'm 2 seasons in with this rig and have had zero issues. I run at full max pressure and do a tow 2 - 3 times a year of about 2 hours at 70 - 75 MPH. The things I do to try and be as trouble free as possible is to tow either early in the morning or late afternoon when the temps are cooler. I check tire pressure before every tow and check the temp on the axles and tires during every stop to get a gauge on how everything is performing. I also rarely have anything in the boot that doesn't belong to the boat. No tents, baggage, camp stoves or any other gear. So far, so good. I will say this is the first single axle trailer I've had in some time and really like it with this smaller boat. Much easier to move around although I'm doing a complete re-learning curve after backing up with a tandem trailer for so long.

As to your issue..... The only thing I know of that fails good tires short of a puncture or defects in the build is heat. I would suspect on such a light rig like yours you have 1 of 2 possible problems....

• Axle Alignment - Shag is spot on here. I've heard of guys having these issues with brand new trailers only to find out the alignment was off from the factory. If the alignment is off you're basically dragging the tire(s) down the road. This causes heat and wear both of which will quickly lead to a blowout. It's a bit odd that it's only happening on one side but if you're not the original owner it's possible that someone scuffed the tires on that side and bent an axle (or two). Here's a link to a guide to check alignment.... https://www.centrevilletrailer.com/c...wear-made-easy.
• Pinched / Obstructed Brake Line or Dragging Caliper - The other area I've had personal experience with is a pinched brake line. In truth I've seen this one a couple times. The first was with a friends tandem trailer with a swing tongue. On this one he had stored the boat with the tongue folded. When he went to put the trailer back in service he pinched the line when he folded the tongue back. In this case the actuator would apply pressure to engage the brakes but they wouldn't release. The dragging calipers heated the two rotors/hubs on the driver's side, blew both grease caps off and cause bubbles in the side wall of the front tire. The other issue I've personal experience with was due to a sticking calipers. I've had them where the pistons in the calipers were pitted from water in the brake fluid and where the caliper slides were near frozen to caliper from sitting outside without moving. The first example resulted in tire repeatably blowing out (he went through 3 before I looked at it). The latter resulted in a tire dragging, then smoking and a parking lot repair after buying a boat for a smoking deal. Unfortunately the trailer tire was smoking too by the time I figured out when such a small boat was so hard to tow.

Bottom line is if you're going through tires like this and they're new tires the most likely cause is heat. My money would be on one of the above as to the root cause.

[SilentSeven]

+1 for an alignment check.

[shag]

BT makes a good point, a dragging caliper(s) will create a ton of heat that transfers to the tire.

[jjackkrash]

I agree with check alignment and make sure nothing is dragging or rubbing. I also agree with going up a load range to D; I'd go up two ranges to E if the wheels will handle the extra air pressure. Then keep the tires at max air pressure and replace at least every 4 to 5 years no matter what. Time and heat kill trailer tires so they are aging/wearing out when they just sit as well as when they are running down the road.

[2016SPORTNAUTIQUE200]

To reply to everyone...
1) both times i had flats it was 90+ degrees middle of summer in oklahoma. So heat possible problem. Both times i never felt like i ran over anything.

2) ive never had trailer alligned. I had tires balanced is it.

3) ive owned boat and trailer since new. bought it at dockside in Conroe texas. but whats weird is i towed it from there to OKC in July of 2016 without a problem. hmmm. it was at night but still temps around 90.

4) the tires on it currently i got at my local hibdons tires plus and they said the best tire they carry was what i have listed above for like $65 a piece. i would prefer a better tire for sure so i might have to start buying online. Marathon tires 205s i think on 14" wheels.