How does one obtain the best glider trailer tire performance and safety?

On Monday, July 7, 2014 7:07:15 PM UTC-7, son_of_flubber wrote:
With a gross trailer weight of 1500 lbs., 13" rims, legal highway speeds, routine inspection for damage, moderate ambient temperature, proper inflation and the careful avoidance of potholes and curbs, I'd expect that a new tire with a service rating a notch higher than the expected usage would be very reliable.



The people that tell horror stories about multiple trailer tire failures must be doing something wrong... old tires, excessive load, excessive speed, road hazard abuse, overheating, under-inflation etc..



What is the best bet on a new set of trailer tires?

Start by going to a full service tire store. You will need tires that are rated for trailer service (they have stiffer sidewalls). I replaced the original tires on my Cobra trailer and found they didn't have exact replacement size. I had to go with a tire that was about 1" larger in diameter, which is pretty significant (there is less clearance with the fenders). They have a higher load rating than the originals and raises the height of the trailer above the road, but can make the assembly geometry more difficult.

Tom

2G wrote, On 7/7/2014 9:40 PM:
On Monday, July 7, 2014 7:07:15 PM UTC-7, son_of_flubber wrote:
With a gross trailer weight of 1500 lbs., 13" rims, legal highway
speeds, routine inspection for damage, moderate ambient
temperature, proper inflation and the careful avoidance of potholes
and curbs, I'd expect that a new tire with a service rating a notch
higher than the expected usage would be very reliable.



The people that tell horror stories about multiple trailer tire
failures must be doing something wrong... old tires, excessive
load, excessive speed, road hazard abuse, overheating,
under-inflation etc..



What is the best bet on a new set of trailer tires?

Start by going to a full service tire store. You will need tires that
are rated for trailer service (they have stiffer sidewalls). I
replaced the original tires on my Cobra trailer and found they didn't
have exact replacement size. I had to go with a tire that was about
1" larger in diameter, which is pretty significant (there is less
clearance with the fenders). They have a higher load rating than the
originals and raises the height of the trailer above the road, but
can make the assembly geometry more difficult.

Tom

Light truck tires (LT) are also suitable, as they have similar handling
characteristics to the ST trailer tires, though you may have trouble
finding them for such a 13" wheel. I use a Michelin LT tire on my Cobra
trailer, which is the same as Tom's trailer.

ST or LT, just be sure they are radials.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...ad-the-guide-1
- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Feb/2010" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarm
http://tinyurl.com/yb3xywl