The Boating Forum - Trailer Question for 31' Cape Horn Owners

I have an 07 31’ CH with a tandem axle starline trailer and I have had the worst luck with trailer tires. I purchased the boat a little over two years ago with load rate d tires on the trailer. They looked to be in great shape and on the way to the Keys…first blow out. Put on the spare, went to tire kingdom and got a load rate e tire to replace the d. On the way back…second blow out/flat. Repeat the process, but then, got all new load rate e tires. Had a flat while sitting in the yard for no apparent reason, then just yesterday I was pulling the boat out of the water and another flat. I have owned boats with trailers for 15 years and have never had a flat, much less the constant flats like I’ve had with this trailer. I can’t recall the brand at the moment (have stayed away from Goodyear Marathons) but has anyone else out there had a similar issue? I almost wonder if a tandem is not enough for the 31. Thanks in advance for any input/feedback.

Just a thought, but are the axles square, could you be running one a degree or so off and getting a weird sideways stress on it the whole time it's rolling, breaking down the sidewall and threfore the whole tire? These flats aren't nails, right?

I fish on a 31 CH with a friend. He has the exact same set up and has had a lot of tire problems. Needs bigger tires or triple axles.

Starling trailer was grossly undersized. I upgraded to an Owens and sons, no more troubles. And I tow a lot.

Thanks for the information, looks like I will have to consider the possibility of getting a new trailer.

Starling trailer was grossly undersized. I upgraded to an Owens and sons, no more troubles. And I tow a lot.


Mako...did you go with a triple axle or a double?

I agree the trailer that comes with the Cape horn is not enough for the boat. But I have not had the tire problem you are talking about. The original tires were load range D and did not last long (no failures, just wore out fast). I put on load range E Maxis trailer tires when I replaced them. I have put a lot of miles on these and had zero problems and are wearing great.
You may want to consider running load range E truck tire.

Mako...did you go with a triple axle or a double?


I have a heavy tandem. 7k# axles, 16" load range E tires. It's a 2009 with at least 12-15k miles on it. This week was the first time I've had to do anything to it, and it was my fault--I hit a curb, bent a spindle and blew a tire.

Wow...that's a lot of miles...my tires only had at the most 2,000 miles when I had my issues. I haven't been trailer far recently, so for the time being I will put in some research and see where to go from here. Thanks for the help guys.