Trailer tires - I don't get it.

Localboy,
Yes, that is the animal I was talking about. Available in differnt flavors, although not made by everyone. We sold lots of sets of Hankook tires and had good luck with them.
 
I just replaced my worn 13" trailer tires (only 3K miles) with new 15" street tires (and new wheels, of course). The tires are high mileage, high load, all season tires (Nokian Entyre). They are actually a slightly higher load rating than the 13" Special Trailer tires. They are supposed to increase gas mileage on a passenger car (probably in part because of the +50 psi pressure rating) and reduce heat build up because of weird little "fins" on the inside of the tire. $65 each instead of $45 each for cheapo trailer tires. 75K mile warranty.

I had been averaging 19 mpg (sometimes 18.7, sometimes 19.3, but only once did I get 20.0 on a tank of gas). I just went through a full tank of gas with the new tires and got 21.7 mpg. No mountain passes, but the road between Port Angeles and Neah Bay might qualify as the worst boat trailer road in the world, so I'm very impressed with the mileage. It will take a few thousand miles before I can really evaluate them, but so far so good.

Pictures of my three day cruise on Lake Ozette when I get a chance.

Mark
 
Does anyone have any experience with tire pressure monitoring systems for trailers? They're mandatory on passenger cars now because they can warn of an underinflated tire long before it would overheat / blow out.
 
I have the kind that go on the end of the valve stem on both my C-Dory trailer and my travel trailer.

It gives me peace of mind.

Bill Kelleher
 
I am active on several RV forums, where tire pressure and temperature sensors are often monitored. TST or Tire SafeGuard are the two most recommended, and Pressure Pro have also had good results, but the latter does not have renewable sensor batteries. I am using Tire SafeGuard, currently (used pressure pro--and had to use a repeater for the towed vehicle tires). The Tire SafeGuard sensors work at almost 100 feet away when on the trailer tires. I move the monitor from the RV to the SUV for boat trailer towing. You can get any number of pressure sensors you want--including up to over 18.

I have had good luck with them.
 
Tire Safeguard also makes a motorcycle version that people have used for single axle trailers. Because there are only two sensors, they are $100 cheaper than the six sensor models (about $180). My tow vehicle already has pressure sensors, but I'm tempted to get the motorcycle version for my trailer. It appears to use the same monitor screen, except that it shows the outline of a motorcycle to indicate the wheels. I could live with that.

Mark
 
FWIW....
The ones that look like balls that go on the stem (where the cap would go), are prone to making the stem swing out at speed (centripetal force??). If you go with these, install metal stems....
 
Bob,
Have you found a way to turn off the monitors for the RV when you are pulling your boat with the SUV ?

Bill Kelleher


thataway":3f2wdtcw said:
I am active on several RV forums, where tire pressure and temperature sensors are often monitored. TST or Tire SafeGuard are the two most recommended, and Pressure Pro have also had good results, but the latter does not have renewable sensor batteries. I am using Tire SafeGuard, currently (used pressure pro--and had to use a repeater for the towed vehicle tires). The Tire SafeGuard sensors work at almost 100 feet away when on the trailer tires. I move the monitor from the RV to the SUV for boat trailer towing. You can get any number of pressure sensors you want--including up to over 18.

I have had good luck with them.
Click to expand...
 
In looking at the various tire pressure monitors, I came across FOBO, a system that sends info to your smart phone/Blue Tooth. Can't say that I understand how it works, and I don't have the right brand of phone, but it looks like an interesting system because it can alert you to a problem using the Blue Tooth in the tow vehicle, i.e., no separate monitor on the dash if you have Blue Tooth. What is even more interesting is that it can send a warning to your phone when you are away from the vehicle. You would get a notice when a tire is losing pressure even when the trailer is sitting at the boat ramp 200 miles away. I really don't understand how that works.

Mark
 
That is the reason I run sensors for both pressure and temperature in the truck and boat trailers. Also check the hubs every 2 hours for temp variations. Tragically this fire is the result of sparks from running on a rim/flat--they get hot very quickly!
 
Just replaced the tires on my MagicTilt single axle trailer for a 19 Angler. I went with Goodyear Endurance 215 75 x 14 load range D tires. They have a 2200# load rating and N speed rating. I am very happy with the quality of ride. I was a little worried about the passenger tires that were on it when I purchased it. With the boat loaded with fuel and ice chest, I was a little too close to the tire weight limit. I highly recommend them.
 
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