Trailer tires

[TedT]

My boat trailer has Nanking st 205/75 r14 ,load range "c" tires. Inside of one year, the side wall facing the inside of the trailer started cracking on both tires. After 3 years the cracking looks very bad, yet the side walls facing outward, toward the sun etc., looks like new. What is going on, and can someone recommend a tire that will hold up better? Oh the trailer only makes about four 30 mile trips per year.

 

[CapriRacer]

First, what inflation pressure are you running? These tires need 50 psi.

Second is what is the load on the tires? The maximum is 1760 per tire - and it is pretty common for trailer manufacturers to be really skimpy on what tires they put on - load capacity wise. I recommend a 15% reserve capacity for trailer tires.

And last but not least - is it possible that the axles are bending? This makes the loading uneven for the tire and the inside would be the side that would likely be overloaded.

 

[TedT]

Quote:

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First, what inflation pressure are you running? These tires need 50 psi.

Second is what is the load on the tires? The maximum is 1760 per tire - and it is pretty common for trailer manufacturers to be really skimpy on what tires they put on - load capacity wise. I recommend a 15% reserve capacity for trailer tires.

And last but not least - is it possible that the axles are bending? This makes the loading uneven for the tire and the inside would be the side that would likely be overloaded.

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I am running 50psi, the tread is wearing perfectly, so I doubt if the alignment is off. The trailer is not over loaded. Less than 3k.
Thanks, Ted

 

[CapriRacer]

Quote:

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.............the tread is wearing perfectly, so I doubt if the alignment is off........

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Trailer tires hardly wear at all, so if you have any wear at 3K, I'd say you have an alignment problem. Plus camber wear (which is what I was trying to get at) is not really going to show up in 3K miles even on a car.

 

[alreadygone]

Any sign of grease leaking past seals onto inner sidewall?

Bob

 

[TedT]

NO,no grease.
Ted

 

[alreadygone]

Pull up Nankang's web site, go to "contact us" and start a dialog. See if they have a dealer/rep. who can look at your tires.

 

[Steve S]

probably cheap tires?