How to Use Radial Tires on a Boat Trailer
There are two main construction types in the tire market today. The radial tire is built with steel belts within the tread area. The bias tire is built with nylon cord instead of steel belts. The radial gives a better ride on the highway, while the bias tire is usually better suited for use on unpaved roads. The reason for this is that rocks and ruts can bend the steel belts in a radial tire. Many boaters replace the bias tires on their boat trailers with radials for a smoother ride on paved roads.
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Things You'll Need
- Tire shop
- New radial tire and wheel combo
- Jack
- Lug nut wrench
- wheel chocks
Instructions
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Switching Tire Types
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1
Your new radial tires should have the correct ply rating for your trailer. This information is printed on sidewalls of your old bias tires. The ratings are four-, six- or eight-ply. Change the wheels as well as the tires because some trailer wheels are not designed for tubeless radial tires.
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2
Inflate the new tires with the maximum amount of air pressure, as specified on the sidewall.
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3
Use the lug nut wrench to loosen the lug nuts on both wheels. Use the jack to lift one side of the trailer and remove the lug nuts on that wheel. Chock the wheel remaining on the ground to prevent it from rolling.
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4
Install the new wheel with radial tire on the trailer and tighten the lug nuts by hand. Lower the wheel back to the ground and immobilize it with a chock.
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5
Use the jack to lift the other side of the trailer and remove the lug nuts on that wheel by hand or with the lug nut wrench.
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6
Install the new wheel with radial tire on the trailer and tighten the lug nuts by hand. Lower the wheel back to the ground.
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7
Use the lug nut wrench to tighten the lug nuts on both wheels.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Do not jack up a trailer on uneven ground. For extra stability, attach the trailer to your vehicle and apply the parking brake.
References
- Photo Credit boat trailer image by wiladayvo from Fotolia.com
