Which Tires are Best for My Wake Boat Trailer?
What boat trailer tires should I be putting on my wake boat trailer? Low profile with some blingstar wheels? The higher profile, trailer specific tires? Which brand of tire? Aren’t all trailer tires made in China anyway, so what is the difference? All questions I have heard when people have asked about trailer tires.
As I mature and get more life experience I have been recommending the more trouble-free, reliable alternatives. Therefore, I am recommending a trailer specific ST rated tire to those who ask. I have tires that I would recommend you put on the list and others to leave off.
Form vs. Function
I really love the looks of a wake boat that rolls onto the boat ramp with some low profile tires and custom wheels. The modern wake boat is all about looks and style. These boats scream “look at me!” and for as much money as they cost, they should look good. Unfortunately, low profile tires were not typically made for this type of work. Also, trailer suspensions are generally not soft and supple like a car.
Trailers are carrying a pretty heavy load, especially if you have a newer 21+ foot wake boat. With wakesurfing becoming so popular, the wakesurf boats are putting on weight like me around the holidays. Equaling more stress and strain on your trailer tires.
Trailer tires with an ST rating are made for the harsh impacts that trailer tires can experience. An impact that may blow out or bubble the sidewall of a low profile tire, often has no effect on the ST tire. An ST rated tire is also designed to handle the sidewall heat associated with towing longer distances.
Your Boat Will Thank You
I know you want your trailer to look as good as your boat. I understand, I wipe down my boat and trailer after each trip to the lake, including wheels. However, my primary concerns when choosing tires are as follows. First, are the tires reliable and going to get my boat to and from the lake without incident. I have changed a tire on the side of the road heading to the lake. Not a fun beginning or ending to your day. Second, will they provide the smoothest ride possible for my boat. Boats are a big investment and we want to treat them as well as possible. The higher profile ST rated tires offer a little smoother ride than the low profiles.
Brands to Look for and Those to Avoid
I have had good experiences with trailer tires and I have had bad. I have read tons of reviews on tires before buying my sets and here is what I’ve found. The vast majority of ST rated trailer tires are made in China. This does not mean that all ST rated trailer tires are created the same. Not all American made tires are the same. It does mean that you have to be cautious and read the reviews. Amazon carries several trailer tires with multiple reviews.
The Good
After some research, I purchased a set of Carlisle Radial Trail HD tires. I have had these for a couple years now with no issues. After installing them I found a noticeable difference in how smoothly my 22 foot wake boat pulled. No more vibrations and it seems to take rough roads much smoother. Durability on the tires has been great thus far as well. I really like the center rib and tread pattern. The other indicator of how well they are made is the speed rating. Most ST trailer tires are rated at under 75 MPH as their maximum safe speed. The Carlisle Radial Trail HD in most sizes are rated at 81 MPH. They appear to be a well constructed, quality tire.
The Bad
I have personally had less than desirable experiences with Goodyear Marathons. I had 4 on my most recent boat trailer when I bought it. Within the first year one tire had blown out and another had actually developed lumps in the sidewall and tread areas to the point the tire was no longer round. My experience is not an isolated experience if you go out and research the Goodyear Marathons. I had my boat trailer into a trailer shop to see if something was wrong with the trailer. The owner of the shop said the biggest problem was the Marathons I had on there. I had earlier replaced a Marathon with a Power King and the shop guy liked those. Needless to say, I did not replace the Marathons with new Marathons.
In the Marathons defense, I was getting some uneven wear on my trailer tires. I took it to the aforementioned trailer guy to check out the wheel alignment. The trailer needed to be aligned and the uneven wear stopped. If you are having uneven tire wear, you may want to have it aligned.
And The Not So Ugly
I have heard good things about the Maxxis trailer tires from reviews and the trailer shop guy. However, the price tag on Maxxis tires is significantly more than others of the same size. I have had some great experience with the Gladiator QR-25 radial trailer tire. I have a set of these on a 27 foot tandem axle enclosed ATV trailer. This trailer generally weighs in at 7,000 to 8,000 pounds, so comparable to the larger surf boats.
The Gladiator QR-25 tires have been great. Well constructed tire that pulls smooth and has been really durable thus far. Another benefit is the speed rating on the Gladiator’s is 87 MPH, which is a good indicator to their superior construction. I have pulled that trailer on multiple dirt roads and multiple days of 500+ miles of highway. After a few thousand miles they still look new, so very happy with the Gladiator tires thus far.
Where to Buy
Buying from a local dealer is usually a great idea. However, I have had poor luck finding the tires that I wanted locally. So, my last few sets of tires I have bought online at Amazon or various online tire stores like SimpleTire.com. A little hint, if you do not need the tires immediately, watch Amazons prices. Prices do fluctuate from week to week on some of their tires depending on supply and demand. The only tires I found at local shops near me were tires I had never heard of before. Therefore, I could not research the tire and felt like I was just taking a chance. You may have better luck where you live.
To Balance or Not Balance
I have heard different theories out there on why you should or should not balance trailer tires. Some say to not balance because the weights will just come off when the trailer is empty and the wheels are bouncing around. I don’t pull my trailers empty much, so I don’t know if this is true or just a trailer myth. When I purchase a new set, online or otherwise, I have my local tire shop mount and balance. The mounting and balancing usually runs about $20 each. This ensures I have the best ride possible for my boat. Also, on a long trip I don’t want to feel any vibrations coming from the trailer behind me. I prefer to set the cruise control on my diesel pickup and almost forget the trailer is even back there. At least until I change lanes or have to go around a sharp turn.
Proper Load Range and Inflation
If you are carrying a 21 to 25 foot boat weighing in at anywhere from 5,000 to 9,000 pounds including the trailer weight, gear, fuel and any other fluids that may be on board. You need to have a set of tires that will handle that weight. Typically you will need to ensure you are looking at load range D and load range E tires. The rating is located on the tire sidewall. Overloading a tire is one of the leading reasons for tire failure. Make sure you have the right load range tire and that it is properly inflated. I typically inflate my trailer tires to a few pounds below the Maximum PSI recommended on the tire sidewall.
Wrap it Up
Bottom line, we want to enjoy our boats at the lake on the water. No one wants to change a tire at the beginning or ending of their day of play. Do your research. Don’t just go to the local tire shop and ask for their trailer tires, most have a selection of one. Ensure you are getting the proper load range for your trailer needs. If your old set is wearing unevenly, have a trailer professional check out alignment and bearings. Then after making your purchase get them balanced. Always check tire pressure before you head out with a gauge or at least visually. Then, enjoy that day with family and friends on the water. The best days are often those spent on the water.