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I recently purchased a 21 Kenner 97 model, no liner, 175 EFI Merc @410 pounds and a galvanized single axle trailer rated at 3500 pounds. I have to drive a considerable way to reach saltwater so can anyone recommend the absolute best 14" tire for this trailer as I don't want to deal with avoidable blowouts. Wish it was tandem but it's not. Replys please based on you guys personal expierence.
If you don't have a spare, get one and be done with it. I've been hearing for awhile not aht Marathons were the tires to have but over on FL there were people saying they were having blow out with them also. It seems to be the luck of the draw.
Had Carisle two blow out --- all four tires were new and properly inflated -- trailer level- and one size over- switched 3 years ago to Goodyear--- ZERO trouble
While most will recommend Goodyear Marathons, my trailer came equipped with Load Star bias belted tires and they have served me well.
With any trailer tire it's important to keep them inflated to the maximum pressure indicated on the sidewall (check when cold). Underinflated tires will heat up excessively and this contributes to failure. Also, make sure the tires you have (or buy) are rated for the weight of the loaded boat and trailer.
ditto on the load star tires.
I haul once a year to FL non stop 850 miles one way, and twice to Morehead City NC 480 round trip. No problems with the load stars yet.
Put 15's on it if you can fit them then get some decent light truck tires, marathons, Nancos, Denman, anything but carlisles. The ultimate for the bigger boats would be 16" rims and Michelin XPS Rib tires. I had 14" carlisles on my trailer, shreaded/blew one at 750 miles or so a second was damaged beyond repair but hadn't blown yet.. I pulled all 4 of them and replaced the 14's with 15" rims and added Nanco commercial tires (205/75/15). They are bias tires and ride a little harder but I know a few hotshot drivers that swear by them and they run them thousands of miles loaded a lot worse than mine.. Arlon
I heard of a number of marathons blowing too. One reason I decided to think outside the box and go for a commercial bias ply tire rated for half again the load I'm carrying. The Nancos from traier wheel and frame mouned on galvanized 15" rims where also cheaper than the 14" marathons by themselfs.. Do a google search on "blown marathon tire" and you will get almost as much reading material as a search for blown carlisle.. Not quite as bad for the Nancos. If I do manage to blow a nanco now, I'll go to michelin ltx's since I now have 15" rims.. Arlon
I cover my tires with a piece of old canvas cover to keep the sun off them when the trailer is parked. I found this prevents the side walls from cracking.
I've had Trail America (whoever they're made by) tires on the last three trailers I have had; they have been fine tires. The last set made it 1200 miles without problem from SC to Iowa holding up a Grady White.
Has anybody used a tire called Towmax . I need four st 225 /15-75 and have had bad tred wear with Marathons. I never heard of them on Boat Trailers but, Motor Homes have good things to say. I run 60 lb. of air and my Boat Wt is about 6000 lb. Thanks, Ginrickei
...................... then get some decent light truck tires ...............................
Regardless of brand or construction, type "ST" (special trailer) tires should be used on trailers. Trailers are subject to different operating conditions than trucks.
I have Titan ST's and have had no problems. Had Goodyear Marathons on a horse trailer and they were OK but the sidewalls checked in the Arizona sun. So far, after 2 years, the Titans still look good. Ordered the first two Titans from Bass Pro or Cabelas. Located a heavy equipment operator in Phoenix who handles the Titan line and bought the next two from them.
Trailer tires 
