Sometimes it All Works Out

[noworries]

Sometimes the stars align to turn a bad situation into a, well, manageable one.

The day started out well enough as I hooked up and headed out.


I'm rolling down the freeway when boom Of course, my Sport Boats trailer has no spare and my truck's lug wrench is made for a Truck, not a trailer.


Turns out I'm about a quarter mile upstream from Capital Water Sports in Rancho Cordova (Sacramento) and headed their way, so I limp along the shoulder on three serviceable and one ruined tire. Note so self, "It pays to have your dealer with freeway frontage."


A quick phone call and out they run with an electric impact wrench that zips off the lug nuts. My truck's jack does work for the trailer. The load's too heavy, but these tires are due anyway. Torsion suspension axles don't drag the hub when there's no wheel attached either.


Thanks Capital Water Sports


The day would've been a bust but for the reason I'm on the road at all. I'm off to, PIMP MY TIGE, tires be damned. Stay tuned. As the winner of the NorCal 2008 Reunion grand prize, Tige, CWS, and Lightning Wakeboard Accessories will make this day worthwhile. Just a hint, that tower's days are numbered.... Stay tuned.

[TRD]

I blew a 1 year old tire 2 wks ago. Sounded like a cannon when it went off. Luckly I had everything I needed to change it out. We were suppose to go down to the lake at night. I was glad we waited. When we got back and I took the tire back (knew it was defective tire) to the tire guy and he says, yes this is a common thing. Happens all the time. I must say I got a little upset to hear this. My truck, boat, extra gas, toys and most important wife and kid are riding on a $100 tire that will blow out at any given time. Cut me a break. I don't have a dual axle trailer. Sorry for the rant, is this really common? I must say that my tire had a big whole in it also just like noworries did. They were 8 ply trailer tires also.

[da.bell]

Glad to see that everything worked out. However, jumping that fence sure was a PITA!!!!

[R&T Babich]

I blew a 1 year old tire 2 wks ago. Sounded like a cannon when it went off. ..... They were 8 ply trailer tires also.

How old were those tires?
There was another thread on how to read the date code.

[chpthril]

How old were those tires?
There was another thread on how to read the date code.

Here is the thread. Good thought to bring it back up.

Noworries, glad it was only 1 tire and a short delay and not worse.

[da.bell]

Here is the link ChpThrill forgot.

http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7948

[chpthril]

Here is the link ChpThrill forgot.

http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7948

D'Oh

[noworries]

Noworries, glad it was only 1 tire and a short delay and not worse.

Yes, the guy behind me got the biggest pucker moment during the event when tread started flying and the diamond plate step on the fender came off due to the tire tread whacking the rivets.

I've recently made two trips through the canyons between Bullard's bar and Grass Valley. I continue to be glad my full-size Dodge is the tow vehicle and not some unibody car cum SUV with a questionable towing rating. The trailer stayed right where it belonged with the truck in charge.

This trailer came originally with car tires on it and that's now illegal I understand. This tire in particular was quite old.

As for why trailer tires blow out. My sense is that one or more of the following is often to blame:

• Trailer tires don't get much wear and get old and brittle before they look worn out
• Trailer tire stock doesn't rotate much at the store and brand new tires may already be old when you buy them (see thread above on date codes)
• Trailer tires are often run close to or above their rated weight limit
• Trailer tires are often run under-inflated

I'd been planning to replace the tires before next season, but I have to modify the suspension geometry first. I need to relocate the hub swing-arms on the torsion bars to provide fender clearance for the taller true-trailer tires. Nobody makes a 195-65x15 trailer tire, 205-75x15 is it.

[chpthril]

Under-inflation and tire age are probably the top 2 contributors to tire failure on any vehicle.

I'll bet that trailer originally came with 14" wheels.

[noworries]

I blew a 1 year old tire 2 wks ago. Sounded like a cannon when it went off. ... I don't have a dual axle trailer. Sorry for the rant, is this really common? ... They were 8 ply trailer tires also.

I'd go weigh the package at a truck scale with the boat full of gas, gear, toys, etc., and make sure you really have enough tire on that single axle trailer.

[noworries]

I'll bet that trailer originally came with 14" wheels.

No, the VIN sticker states 195-65x15 which presumably were legal in 2001 when the trailer was made. I've got to adjust the suspension clearance for the taller 205s I get to buy now.

[TRD]

How old were those tires?
There was another thread on how to read the date code.

less then a year old. Got them at the end of last season.

I'd go weigh the package at a truck scale with the boat full of gas, gear, toys, etc., and make sure you really have enough tire on that single axle trailer..

That is a good idea.

[Duncan]

To reduce wear on trailer tires, should a trailer be on jacks if it is being stored (e.g., boat on lift for season)? Seems like that might prevent the weakening of the tires from the bulge where it meets the ground.

[TRD]

To reduce wear on trailer tires, should a trailer be on jacks if it is being stored (e.g., boat on lift for season)? Seems like that might prevent the weakening of the tires from the bulge where it meets the ground.

I have heard this but don't know if that is true or not.

[chpthril]

This used to be recommended with bias-ply, haven't heard this for radials