Trailer Damage - Repairs After Blow Out

[Dave 205]

Experienced my first blow out on the way home today. The joys of a tandem axle trailer were apparent, all are safe, we had the proper spare and equipment, and short of being dirty and hot, the experience was a chance to show the kids how to be prepared.

Tires are 8 years old, but low mileage, always garaged, no weathering, tons of tread. I guess 8 is too old. Clean stretch of new interstate. I doubt the tire hit anything. Maaxis tire if anyone is curious.

1) The moulded plastic fender typical of Shore Lander sport boat trailers was damaged. Does anybody have experience getting these from a source other than a dealer?

2) Anybody ever upgraded these to steel fenders? Source? The frame on to which the plastic fender is mounted is part of the suspension, so I'd be looking for something that would hopefully be plug and play as a replacement.

3) The marker light on the fender disappeared, leaving me with slightly short wire. The wire appears to be routed into the frame rail, headed toward the front of the trailer. Anybody have comments on splicing on an extension, or fishing the wire through the frame rail? Where would one source this wire - the stuff on the trailer seems to have a very pliable coating - looks to be good quality.

Any and all comments are appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Buckeye Boater]

Dave,

Similar situation as yours, but without the blowout. When we took our boat out of storage earlier this spring, noticed a wave in one of the tires. Upon further investigation, it looked as if the steel belt split (parallel to the tread). When we got home you could see the steel belts starting to come through the tire treads. We also had Maxxix M8008 tires, low mileage, plenty of tread, no dry rot or cracking. They were also 8 years old.

Put four new Maxxis tires on ($450) and kept the two best old ones for spares. (Note: When you order new tires, check the mfg date on the tire. Some trailer tires can sit around awhile before they get used.)

Also interested in your search for fenders. Having issues with them cracking where they are attached to the trailer frame.

 

[all about fun]

Dave,
What pressure are you running your tires at? I was told to run mine at 50 psi. I've got a very similar set up as yours but mine is an '03. I'm going to do some investigating on the tire age - same tire/same appearance as you described. We're heading to Okoboji this weekend for soccer tournament and some boating - of course and want to avoid the blowout situation as much as possible. Did you beat the rain this afternoon?

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[Buckeye Boater]

We ran our tires for seven years (actual age of tires were 8 years). Every trip to the lake is at least an hour and half ride. Always kept them at 50 psi. We were not at all dissatisfied with the Maxxis tires. I think after eight years they just got old. Plus for 5-6 months every year they did not move because the boat was in winter storage. Not sure if that contributed to their demise.

 

[MonacoMike]

Put four new Maxxis tires on ($450) and kept the two best old ones for spares.

If the tires are not good enough to take your family to the lake, they are not good enough to be your spares. Ask me how I know? I did that very thing and regretted it greatly. Spend the $225 and have two new safe tires. Cause there is nothing more fun than changing out TWO blowouts in ONE day. Lol. On that day I'd have paid a boat dollar not to had to deal with that.

I love my Dewalt 18V impact wrench for trailering...

MM

 

[Joel_CA]

Just out of curiosity, where did you guys come up with the 50PSI inflation value? Theres a sticker from the factory on my trailer that recommends 36PSI and thats what I've been going with religiously. I have Maxxis 205/75/14's.

J

 

[Dave 205]

Took all 5 tires off tonight and they are stacked in the garage. A shame, the non-blown tires look terrific by any standard. But, trust is dead based on my full and not so fun day.

I think the tires sitting on the garage floor during winter probably stresses them. I actually pull my boat around the block a few times during winter (dry warm days) to shake things up. Flat spots may still mess up the belts.

I bought my boat at 5 years of age, virtually unused. The plastic fenders had stress cracks where they are bolted together between the tandem wheels. The starboard rear tire blew, the stress cracks on the port side are much worse for the violence. My research on the fenders has not been very positive. The Shore Lander plastic fenders appear to be $110.00 each. About 3 times the cost of aftermarket that won't fit. Shore Lander appears to be VERY protective of their dealers, I'll make the call in the morning. The Shore Lander website looks promising, but boils down to call your dealer. My gut is that you cannot upgrade the crappy plastic fenders.

 

[Dave 205]

"Just out of curiosity, where did you guys come up with the 50PSI inflation value? Theres a sticker from the factory on my trailer that recommends 36PSI and thats what I've been going with religiously. I have Maxxis 205/75/14's."



Tire placard inside the front frame rails, port side.

 

[Dave 205]

Dave,
What pressure are you running your tires at? I was told to run mine at 50 psi. I've got a very similar set up as yours but mine is an '03. I'm going to do some investigating on the tire age - same tire/same appearance as you described. We're heading to Okoboji this weekend for soccer tournament and some boating - of course and want to avoid the blowout situation as much as possible. Did you beat the rain this afternoon?

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Running at 50 PSI per tire placard. I have good equipment to service 20 tires at home - Makita compressor and Milton tire inflator / gauge.

We did beat the rain. We were at Pawnee west of Lincoln. We started early and monitored the weather. Left with what appeared to be an hour. The first wave passed north, so we were dry on I-80 short of the Waverly exit when the tire went. Got home to Elkhorn and the sky turned purple when I was pulling wheels in my garage. Had to shut down and pull all the cars in. Rained and blew like crazy.

 

[Dave 205]

The state of trailer tires is quite depressing. I've been a Goodyear guy for 30 years, and it appears that their Marathon tires went Chinese years ago and are now crap. You can find old reports on 20 year old Marathons that are very good.

It appears that all brands in my size ( ST175 80R 13) are now Chinese, and tend to blow out after a few years on the road. Boat owning consumers are not exactly a protected group, it appears that trailer tires are junk by most standards. I thought I had found salvation with Costco and Greenball tires, a brand I had never heard of, and I've found pages of bad reviews on these as well.

I've been a member of this forum since 2011 and I've been hard pressed to find consistently positive reports on any tire brand.

I had thought that I'd be able to cart my wheels to a store in the morning and get 5 new tires, but even this fairly common size may not be in stock in the Omaha metro.

Morning will tell.

 

[Dave 205]

a boat dollar ..

MM

I've never heard that phrase, but I've come to understand it well!

 

[all about fun]

"Just out of curiosity, where did you guys come up with the 50PSI inflation value? Theres a sticker from the factory on my trailer that recommends 36PSI and thats what I've been going with religiously. I have Maxxis 205/75/14's."



Tire placard inside the front frame rails, port side.

I was told by my mechanic to run the trailer ties at max (50) otherwise the sidewalls produce too much heat.
I'm curious about the sticker on the frame. I guess I'll be looking for that as I'm looking for tire dates now.

Pawnee is my favorite place to go around here, just wish it was closer.

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[Lazy Daze]

The red clearance light on the back of the fender is on the same circuit as the yellow clearance light on the front of the fender. Or... just splice into any brown wire you can get your hands on.

 

[Newman]

Why not run a truck tire? I know they're more expensive but if they last longer and have piece of mind... Is there any reason not to do this?

 

[Dave 205]

Why not run a truck tire? I know they're more expensive but if they last longer and have piece of mind... Is there any reason not to do this?

Interesting question. Way too much research tells me this: Car / Truck tires are not necessarily more expensive. Boat and camping trailer manufactures all use "trailer tires." Maaxis and Tow Max seem to be common OEM choices, but I'm sure the other usual suspects are out there as well. Some tire comments about trailer tires talk about stronger tire walls compared to passenger vehicle tires. I've called several tire stores today and none have pushed to upgrade to passenger vehicle tires.

 

[Dave 205]

The red clearance light on the back of the fender is on the same circuit as the yellow clearance light on the front of the fender. Or... just splice into any brown wire you can get your hands on.

Thanks Dennis. I tried lightly pulling on the wires where the front marker wire goes into the frame and the back comes out, thinking I'd feel the connection. I didn't. Looking at the intact port light, it appears that the OEM set up is a very tidy wire that terminates with rubber plugs that go into the light. I'm guessing the replacement light will have leads coming out. So, If I just spice right there at the fender, my brain thinks wire nuts. Is there a better connection for vehicle applications?

 

[blaster]

Experienced my first blow out on the way home today. The joys of a tandem axle trailer were apparent, all are safe, we had the proper spare and equipment, and short of being dirty and hot, the experience was a chance to show the kids how to be prepared.

Tires are 8 years old, but low mileage, always garaged, no weathering, tons of tread. I guess 8 is too old. Clean stretch of new interstate. I doubt the tire hit anything. Maaxis tire if anyone is curious.

1) The moulded plastic fender typical of Shore Lander sport boat trailers was damaged. Does anybody have experience getting these from a source other than a dealer?
I got replacement fenders from a local RV dealer. They had 3 choices, a $40 fender which was flimsy but matched, a $75 fender which was almost as thick as OEM, and the OEM from shorelandr which was $125
2) Anybody ever upgraded these to steel fenders? Source? The frame on to which the plastic fender is mounted is part of the suspension, so I'd be looking for something that would hopefully be plug and play as a replacement.
I couldn't find one that fit when I looked.

3) The marker light on the fender disappeared, leaving me with slightly short wire. The wire appears to be routed into the frame rail, headed toward the front of the trailer. Anybody have comments on splicing on an extension, or fishing the wire through the frame rail? Where would one source this wire - the stuff on the trailer seems to have a very pliable coating - looks to be good quality.
I would use butt connectors and encase them with heat shrink tubing.
Any and all comments are appreciated.

Thanks!

Sorry about your bad day with the blowout.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Correct - new lights will have wire leads. Crimp-on butt connectors are a much better way than wire nuts. Shrinkable connectors are even better.

 

[Woody]

I was told by my mechanic to run the trailer ties at max (50) otherwise the sidewalls produce too much heat.
I'm curious about the sticker on the frame. I guess I'll be looking for that as I'm looking for tire dates now.

Pawnee is my favorite place to go around here, just wish it was closer.

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It would be good to compare that trailer spec tag to the tires you actually have on your trailers. In any case you guys should verify the ‘Max inflation tire pressure’ on the sidewall of your tires and go by that.

 

[SloBurn]

Every trailer tire that I've run says 50 PSI right on the sidewall for max capacity. I've had tires go the first year they were on. You're right about the Chinese tires, do your research, spend some bucks and always run quality tires. I've had situations that were downright dangerous-blowout on rt. 95 with no shoulder, etc. How many folks jack up their trailer for the winter?? This will reduce the probability of flat spots, as per a friend of mine in the tire business. He recommends LoadStar or Towmasters, and he doesn't sell tires.