Trailer Tires

[ali'i]

Have an early 1980's 14ft Fiberglass runabout, you know, closed bow, windshield etc, that will soon have, if all goes as planned, a 50 or 55 hp, mid 80's Johnson or Evinrude on it, but I need a new trailer, so looking at a galvanized , single axle, total length about 18+ft, the tires on it are almost new, 4.80 x 12, Carlisle Sport Trail rated at max 990 pounds each. Will they be okay with my boat/motor setup? The seller had a 14ft welded aluminum with 40hp 1995 Merc on it. but guessing his boat was a lot lighter than what I will have on it. Also like it because it will be lower than with bigger, higher rated tires found on most trailers this size, which are about 2-3 inches bigger diameter, so the smaller tire diameter will help in launching as the boat ramp isn't very steep, so won't have to back tow vehicle so far into the water to float the boat. Would I be okay, tire wise?

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Trailer Tires

Its not just tires its a combination of tires and the springs and axle, their designed to carry a amount of weight. Tires are a easy change the axle and springs not so much, it can be done for 100 plus depending on what goes back under. look on the axles, it should have a metal band with the weight rating. That should answer your questions.

 

[ali'i]

Re: Trailer Tires

I'm sure the trailer is rated for far more than the boat/motor setup I want to use it for, Its a 1989 Calkins. the gvw is 1900 pounds. I have seen much bigger boats on identical trailers, its just the current owner put these tires on with white spoke 12" rims because he needed new tires, and they were on sale for the same price as just the tires would have been for the stock 13" galvanized rims that came with it from the factory.

 

[limitout]

Re: Trailer Tires

Have an early 1980's 14ft Fiberglass runabout, you know, closed bow, windshield etc, that will soon have, if all goes as planned, a 50 or 55 hp, mid 80's Johnson or Evinrude on it, but I need a new trailer, so looking at a galvanized , single axle, total length about 18+ft, the tires on it are almost new, 4.80 x 12, Carlisle Sport Trail rated at max 990 pounds each. Will they be okay with my boat/motor setup? The seller had a 14ft welded aluminum with 40hp 1995 Merc on it. but guessing his boat was a lot lighter than what I will have on it. Also like it because it will be lower than with bigger, higher rated tires found on most trailers this size, which are about 2-3 inches bigger diameter, so the smaller tire diameter will help in launching as the boat ramp isn't very steep, so won't have to back tow vehicle so far into the water to float the boat. Would I be okay, tire wise?

one of the biggest things that changed to make trailers sit up higher is the torsion axles and no more leaf springs. this is what sets the frame up higher and not the 13" wheels they use on most of them.

I just got one myself and had to swap the center bunks out for rollers and readjust everything to drop the boat down about 3" but because I got the flat version I couldn't go any lower.

get a vee hull trailer so it sits lower on the frame and you can adjust things lower yourself. I never understood why the want boats to sit 2 ft off the ground when on a trailer but they do seam to get silly with the height on them.

you will love the soft ride and maint free of torsion axles (no noise or rusty springs to replace) as well as the adjustable axle position so IMO you can set it up the same height as you are used to so there is no need for concern about the height. just go with the vee style frame and get the 13" tires and you wont be sorry, the 12" are soo much harder and transfer that energy to the boat

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trailer Tires

your tires are rated for more weight than the rest of your trailer IE 990 lbs x 2 = 1980 lbs and you state that the GVW of your trailer is 1900 lbs..... The TOTAL weight of the trailer + the boat + the engine + fuel + battery + any and all gear you plan to put in the boat must not exceed 1900 lbs..... I suspect that you will be very close if not over the gvw of the trailer.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Trailer Tires

I agree with smoke. It sounds like it's going to be close. You should get it all weighed out to be sure.