Change tires or new wheels

[snapshotmd]

How many of you actually change your trailer tires?

It seems like the same price as getting a whole new tire and wheel once you figure in the cost/labor of changing the tire and valve stem.

It seems like a waste of a good rim. If you buy new wheels, I'd imagine you could sell the old wheel for scrap. If you do scrap them, how much do you get for it?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Change tires or new wheels

I replace my 14" trailer tires every 3 years, the rims are galvanized steel and in good shape, so no need to replace them. If your wheels are old/rusty, then probably good to replace them as a unit,tire/rim, especially for the price!

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Change tires or new wheels

Last time I bought new wheels with tires and sold the old ones on Craigslist. The guy who bought them was happy as could be, think I got $10 or $15 for the pair with the worn out tires.

 

[snapshotmd]

Re: Change tires or new wheels

I don't get it.

I priced a 4.80 x 12" bias ply wheel/tire combo for $55 with galvanized rim. A bias ply tire to fit this rim goes for $34. Labor to put the tire on the rim is $16, plus valve stems at $2.50. The total for changing a tire is $52.50 for a whopping savings of $2.50. If these were painted rims I would imagine I'd be saving money buying a new combo.

It seems to me that I would be saving more with less effort if I bought the combo, then scrapped the old rims.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Change tires or new wheels

That's the problem with not being able to do things yourself. If you have to pay someone else to do your work you buy what makes the most economic sense. If everyone was capable of building their own house there would be no contractors to take y0ur money. Those small trailer tires can be changed easily. If you want new valve stems buy them at any auto store along with the tool to that screws onto the stem to pull them in. Let the air out, break down the bead and with a couple of big screwdrivers you can have the tire off. Just be careful not to cut or tear the bead. How do you break down the bead? Your car works fine. Place a short piece of 2x6 plank on the tire (not the rim). Drive your car onto the plank. Presto! Done!

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Change tires or new wheels

I dismounted and mounted 2 480/400-8 tires today. It took less than 1 hour.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Change tires or new wheels

I don't get it.

I priced a 4.80 x 12" bias ply wheel/tire combo for $55 with galvanized rim. A bias ply tire to fit this rim goes for $34. Labor to put the tire on the rim is $16, plus valve stems at $2.50. The total for changing a tire is $52.50 for a whopping savings of $2.50. If these were painted rims I would imagine I'd be saving money buying a new combo.

It seems to me that I would be saving more with less effort if I bought the combo, then scrapped the old rims.

Last year I bought a set of 5 new trailer tires. Shopped around locally and couldn't come close to the prices on the net. Plus, the shipping price was less than the mounting price plus local sales tax.

I sold the five old ones on CL for $50, so I came out so far ahead it wasn't an issue.

The real deal was that I could change each wheel one at a time with just one jack. If I had gone to the local tire place I would have had to use jack stands and make multiple trips. I did it in the winter so taking the boat to the tire store was not an option.

Sure I could have not been lazy and mounted them myself. I have done 8" wheels before, but not 13". Just don't have the equipment. Besides, if the net store mounts them for free, why waste your own time.