Light Truck Tyres or Passenger?

[bensparkyspark]

Ok so I've searched the forums to find if this has already been talked about but didnt really give a clear cut/professional opinion
I've rang Good Year, Michelin, Tyre Power, Beaurepairs etc and other independents to hear a variety of answers such as yes you must use light truck tyres or they will burst... and some say there is no need with the weight of my boat.
It makes sense to say 'well the boat isnt that heavy so therefore the passenger tyres will be okay' but someone said that "because" the boat is so light, it will bounce around on the road and therefore more load is applied.

Upgrading to 13" steel wheels from these tiny 8" integrals. If someone could also give a rough idea on its weight (pictures below) that'd be great!





Thanks guys

[johncar]

She looks like it would be under 400KG but hard to tell in a photo.
I don't think it would matter what tyres you used and I think car tyres would be fine or light truck, you would probably pick up a couple of 13" car tyres cheaper though.

[GBC]

It sounds counter intuitive, but LT rated tyres need to run higher pressure than the same sized P rated tyre to carry the same weight. If you want to be confident you could run the boat over a weigh bridge, divide it in half, then check it against the weight rating of the tyre. Assuming your boat falls within the acceptable weight range for a passenger rated 13' tyre (it will), that's what I'd be running every time because the trailer won't be getting belted by 50(odd) psi LT's. The rig will run a lot smoother on car tyres.

[Moonlighter]

I would go light truck, simply because they have stronger side-walls, and the crude suspension on boat trailers is pretty harsh on tyre side-walls. They arejust all round a bit tougher than car tyres. Few bucks more to buy but worth it.

By the way, the surest way to check the weight of your rig is just to go to the local tip and run across the weighbridge. Tell em you don't eat a certificate, you just would like to know the weight for safet reasons and most of them will tell you and not charge anything. If they are ok to do that just drive forward so the car is off the bridge but the trailer is still on.

I don't think you will be anywhere near this, but remember, more than 750kg and you need brakes on the trailer.

Cheers

ML

[Noelm]

I like LT tyres for boats, simply because of the chance of getting a cut from rocks (handbrakes) people leave all over boat ramps, however, there is plenty of boats around that are way over sprung, and the only "give" is in the tyre, standard tyres will be fine on that boat by the way.

[outta line]

think you will get a shock when you price a LT tyre in 13'...not a common size other than trailers .....they will be around the $130 mark each ..... mick

[tunaticer]

I would source a light off road tyre for this trailer that is designed for relatively low pressure, 20-25psi roughly. The lower pressure will absorb the rebound shock from the springs substantially on such a light boat.
IMO i think light truck tyres on light boats and traliers does more damages long term than good because of this rebound factor from the springs.
Car tyres would do the job nicely, but if you venture along corrugated roads you may be left wishing for something more robust.

I am yet to lose a tyre to a rock chock left on a ramp.......maybe next weekend i might now that i said that.

[Gon Fishun]

Holden HK-T-G gal hubs, Holden bearings, ( Timken ) 13 inch gal rims with passenger tyres, not second hand or recap, must be new. You could tow it to Vic and back with that set up.

[wayno60]

Im with GBC.....

[Horse]

I would be looking at passenger tyres

[FordGT]

Holden HK-T-G gal hubs, Holden bearings, ( Timken ) 13 inch gal rims with passenger tyres, not second hand or recap, must be new. You could tow it to Vic and back with that set up.

My vote is for the above. That's what I've got except I've gone with the truck tyres because my setup is 1320kg ATM.

[ozscott]

It sounds counter intuitive, but LT rated tyres need to run higher pressure than the same sized P rated tyre to carry the same weight. If you want to be confident you could run the boat over a weigh bridge, divide it in half, then check it against the weight rating of the tyre. Assuming your boat falls within the acceptable weight range for a passenger rated 13' tyre (it will), that's what I'd be running every time because the trailer won't be getting belted by 50(odd) psi LT's. The rig will run a lot smoother on car tyres.

I have wondered about that before. Why though? Much tougher carcass and heavier duty walls...surely a Lt at 30 PSI versus its max of 80 psi (using say a 245/75/16 on a mid weight 4wd) is going to carry more weight safely thAn the same size passenger tire at the same pressure? Cheers

[GBC]

I have attached a link which sort of explains it in laymens terms which I could understand.
I also have a scientist's thesis on it which has more vectors than a lunar landing program. I can email it you wish.
After reading that I decided that P rated tyres carry more on less pressure for the same reason that burger rings taste like burgers - because they just do

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rc...yax6N1gJU2BhtQ

[ozscott]

Thanks GBC - much appreciated. We dont stop learning!

Cheers

[outwide1]

After 14 years in the tyre industry i would go l/t tyres.
With an 8 ply side wall and higher load rating its piece of mind.
We use to wholesale a 165r13 l/t tyre to the stores for about $55+tax.
I can reveal this as i no longer work in the industry.
Give me a pm or post what area your in and i can steer you in the right direction.
Mick.