Rich:
I put 12" radial car tires on my M15 trailer last year and it was a
very big improvement. The tire shop guy didn't seem to excited about
doing it, because trailers sit around a lot; but it isn't a problem.
These work great, even though the are snow tires (no studs), all that
was available locally!
--Gary Hyde
N24 'Sailabration'
M17 #637 'Hydeaway2'
M15 #235 'Vanilla'
On Sep 01, 2005, at 11:24 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Rich,
Sorry about the delayed response regarding your Hogin and radial tires
queries.
First, regarding the 'new' Hogin sails--I have not used them yet. I
did talk
to them at length at the boat show, and it seemed like they were
trying hard
to get the kinks worked out and assemble a reliable crew. I heard
that it was
a bit rocky at the start, but that they are finding their 'groove'
now. At
some point, I thought I would send a small project their way and see
how it
goes. I like the idea of having a small, local loft, and I hope they
do well. I
am encouraged that they are still in business. I would defer to those
who
have actually used them recently for better info.
As for the 12" radial tires--yes, they are still out there. They will
almost
certainly have to be passenger car tires, as the smallest true
trailer-rated
radials I have found are in 13." They will likely be an order-only
item for
most shops, but I would bet that if you went to a better tire shop (as
opposed
to Sears or WalMart), they can get them.
I have had good luck with ordering tires from www.tirerack.com. Their
prices, including shipping, are usually very competitive. They ship
from Reno, and
there is usually no sales tax. I checked, and they have 12" radials
in at
least two profiles:
Yokohama Y372 145SR12:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?
tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=Y372&vehic
leSearch=false&partnum=4SR2372&fromCompare1=yes&place=0
Kumho Euro Metric 771 155/OTR12:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?
tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Euro+Metric+7
71&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=5TR2EM771&fromCompare1=yes&place=0
I suspect a more extensive search would yield other models from
Goodyear,
Michelin, etc.
I would definitely *not* mix radials and bias ply tires on the same
trailer.
Personally, I would replace them in pairs, as different brands/models
may
well have different sidewall flex characteristics. I carry an
identical spare as
well.
My 12" Goodyear Tiempo radials show virtually no signs of wear, and
will
likely last decades at this present rate. I keep them slathered in 303
Protectant, and out of UV.
I am fully aware of the caveats regarding passenger car radials on
trailers.
It is true that the sidewalls flex *much* more than a trailer-rated
radial or
trailer bias ply tire, but for purposes of the lightweight
M15/trailer, I
have found that the passenger radials have worked very well. I have
been
particularly happy with the *much* softer ride (less road shock
transferred to boat).
If I had an M17 or M23 (or for that matter, any trailer with 13" or
larger
rims), I would opt for a true trailer-rated (ST) tire (radial or no).
Best,
Scott
M15 #478 'bebe'
PSC Flicka
In a message dated 9/1/05 10:22:36 AM,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Back in the late 90's we discussed trailer tires for
the M15. It was suggested that radial tires are as
good a bias tires, give a smoother ride and are less
expensive. I purchased three 145 12" radials at Sears
for $ 14. each. After many happy miles one of the
tires blew while towing to Lake Don Pedro this past
week just outside of Modesto. I'm having a heck of a
time finding 12" radials. Are they still available?
Can you tow with one bias and one radial?
There's a M15 and a M17 listed for sale in this
month's issue of Latitude 38. Go to Latitude 38 on
the Internet.
Rich Cottrell
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