Hobie Forums
http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/

Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=52752		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  ThanksHobart [ Tue Sep 02, 2014 11:57 am ]
Post subject:  Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
Getting ready to trailer our boat from Lake Lanier, GA area to its new home in coastal NC. The trailer has only ever been on short trips around Lake Lanier before and could definitely use new tires before a long trip. It could also use a general inspection of the trailer and a spare wheel just in case.

I'm wondering if I should seek out marine trailer places or take it to a conventional trailer repair/sales place? What's the best sort of place to go if you don't know a whole lot about trailers and just want to make sure your boat gets across state lines in one piece?

Any ideas from you smart people out there? :)

Many thanks.
Author:  mmiller [ Tue Sep 02, 2014 12:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
Harbor freight and tools has trailer stuff.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?q=trailer+parts
Author:  Gijs [ Tue Sep 02, 2014 12:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
Harbor Freight, or you can just take the wheels to Wal Mart to have them install new tires (or just buy new wheels for $40).
But that's only necessary when your tires are at the end of their life. You can easily check the tire pressure and profile yourself. Make sure you clean the bearings though.
Author:  dexter [ Tue Sep 02, 2014 4:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
I recently changed out the old 8" wheels to 4.8x12". As the load was pretty light on the tires, I got some cheap ones at Harbor Freight and am totally comfortable using them. Similar quality, higher price but also available at Wally World.
Author:  AntonLargiader [ Tue Sep 02, 2014 5:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
I also switched to 12" wheels but I wanted galvanized, so I bought a set from my Hobie dealer (Backyard Boats). The hub isn't a direct match, as the center hole on the 8" wheel is smaller than on the 12" wheel, but it works.
Author:  bmdumr [ Tue Sep 02, 2014 9:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
I've used etrailer.com for most of my trailer parts.
Author:  srm [ Wed Sep 03, 2014 2:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
Personally, I would avoid Harbor Freight tires. This is based only on what I've seen first hand - my folks bought a set for their small power boat trailer and when I looked at them closely, the side walls were cracked/dry rotted looking after only a couple months. Maybe it was a fluke, but I would spend a little extra to ensure a decent quality tire.

I've gotten tires from Hecht trailers in NJ (I think they have an online store as well). Their prices are about 2/3 that of West Marine and other online stores I've seen and the quality seems good.

I can say for sure, that having a well functioning trailer is essential and they are often neglected. There's not a lot to them, so taking to a professional probably isn't really necessary. Just make sure the tires are in good condition, there are no major cracks or rust on the frame/axles, mounting bolts are tight, and service the bearings occasionally. Also make sure you have a lug wrench that matches your trailer lugs - this may not be the same size as your car's lug wrench.

sm
Author:  PurdueZach [ Wed Sep 03, 2014 6:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
Etrailer was very good to me
Author:  gary eudy [ Wed Sep 03, 2014 6:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
northern tool and or tractor supply or discount tire or wally world
always get bigger wheels and tires use your best old tire for a spare and save a little
I have had one flat in all my hobie adventures and this is because the tire dry rotted
always check the air pressure before you leave see above for problems
Make sure that you have a tire tool and jack for the tow vehicle and the BOAT trailer
again see the comment above
former hobie admiral Gary
Author:  marcj [ Wed Sep 03, 2014 11:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
Eastern Marine - Trailer Parts Superstore

http://www.easternmarine.com

1-800-453-7379

Good for tires, wheels, and any other thing trailer-related.

I have had good experience here, with a utility, horse, and boat trailer.
Author:  ThanksHobart [ Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
mmiller wrote:
Harbor freight and tools has trailer stuff.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?q=trailer+parts


Many thanks - looks like a great source.
Author:  ThanksHobart [ Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
srm wrote:

I can say for sure, that having a well functioning trailer is essential and they are often neglected. There's not a lot to them, so taking to a professional probably isn't really necessary. Just make sure the tires are in good condition, there are no major cracks or rust on the frame/axles, mounting bolts are tight, and service the bearings occasionally. Also make sure you have a lug wrench that matches your trailer lugs - this may not be the same size as your car's lug wrench.

sm


Thanks for the advice - feeling more confident that I can do a general checkup and put the new wheels on myself.

I do know for certain that I'll need a different lug wrench.

Wondering if there's anything wrong with using the tow vehicle's jack on the trailer?
Author:  srm [ Mon Sep 08, 2014 1:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
ThanksHobart wrote:

Wondering if there's anything wrong with using the tow vehicle's jack on the trailer?


There's nothing wrong with using the tow vehicle's jack, it will have plenty of capacity for a Hobie trailer. However, you need to make sure that it will go low enough to fit under the frame with a flat tire and still go high enough to put the new wheel on when the leaf spring is fully extended. I have found that sometimes I need to throw a 2x4 or other piece of lumber under the jack to get it to go high enough.

sm
Author:  Tim H16 [ Tue Sep 09, 2014 8:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
My trailer tires were getting dry rotted and slowly losing air pressure so I was hesitant to go on long road trips with them.

As a result of reading this post, I just bought a pair of:
"Kenda 4.80-12 Bias Trailer Tires with 12" Galvanized Wheels - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range B" from: http://www.etrailer.com for a great price with free shipping.

Since each new tire is rated for a 785-lb maximum load at 60 psi and my boat and trailer together only weigh about 785 lbs, what is the recommended tire air pressure, 60 psi?

The higher the air pressure, the bumpier the ride is for my 16' hobie cat.

I was only filling my old tires to 35 psi, since even though they were rated up to 60 psi, I was afraid they would explode at 60 psi.
Author:  ASDASC [ Tue Sep 09, 2014 12:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need new tires and spare for H16 trailer…where to go?
I am sure they will last longer if you pump them up to 60psi. They are not intended to soften the ride, and lower pressures will damage the sidewalls if you corner a lot.

The trailer springs are intended to soften the ride.
Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/