Will Switching 5.30-12 Bias Ply Tires for Radials Help Prevent Blowouts

Question

Question:

I have a boat and motor combination that weighs 1500 gross lbs. on a trailer that weighs 350 gross lbs. I go through a set of bias ply tires LRC in less than two years. I keep the pressure at max. recommended so I think my problem is from over heating. I travel about 200 miles one way in temperatures that can exceed 100F. The sidewalls are always the cause of problems. The size of the tire is 5.30 x 12. I am open to any suggestion as to what is the best tire in that size range for my application. Naturally I have a tendency of pushing the speed at or above 65 mph so possibly a radial tire would be best. Question: If I stay with a bias ply tire will moving up to a higher load range help with the side wall blow out issues? I thank you for your help.

asked by: Jim S

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

A 5.30-12 Load Range C tire has a load capacity of 1045 lbs each or 2090 lbs per axle which is more than sufficient for a trailer/boat combination that weighs 1850 lbs.

Excessive heat build up is the number one cause of premature tire wear and failure. Exceeding the weight capacity, not correctly inflating the tires and exceeding the tires speed rating can all cause the temperatures of a tire to spike to unsafe levels.

First, I'd recommend you confirm the fully loaded and ready to tow weight of your boat/trailer to ensure it doesn't exceed the capacity of a Load Range C tire. This includes the weight of all the gas, coolers and other gear that's on the boat while you're towing it. It's very easy to underestimate the actual as-towed weight of a trailer. I know, because I've done it myself...

It sounds like you have your tires properly inflated, so that's not an immediate issue but you might consider adding a TPMS system like part # 372FX4K so you can use your smart phone to monitor the pressure and temperature of your tires in real time.

Most trailer tires of this size are speed rated to 60 or 65mph, so consistently running at 65mph or above can certainly elevate the temperature of your tires to a potentially harmful level.

Going with a higher load rated tire would really only benefit you if you're currently exceeding the capacity of your tires. For a solution, I'd go with a radial tire because they run cooler which would translate to longer tire life. We offer a 5.30-12 Load Range C tire in a radial as part # TT53012C. The tire has the same capacity as the one that you're using, but because they'll run cooler and have a high (81mph) speed rating, they'll work much better for you, as long as the weight of your trailer doesn't exceed its capacity.

I've linked to some videos that you might find helpful.

expert reply by: Mike L

1

Answer 1

Yes, the 4.80-12 tire size and the 5.30-12 tire size are both designed to fit the same rim width of 4 inches. So the tire you would want would be the part #AM10068 to fit your current trailer rim. This tire is a Load Range D tire with a capacity of…

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Answer 2

The only instance where we might conceivably recommend a bias ply tire over a radial tire would be for farm or agricultural use where the tire would primarily be used on non-paved surfaces. This is due to the fact that the thicker sidewalls used on…

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Answer 3

The importance of matching a wheel's pilot hole diameter to the part of the hub that fits through it depends on the type of wheel. A hub-centric wheel uses the pilot hole to center the wheel on the hub and also to bear some of the total weight…

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Answer 4

If the center hole of your wheel is larger than the hub bore of the #AKHD-655-6-EZ-K this would not be a problem at all. The wheel actually centers on the hubs by the lug nuts so having extra room for the wheel center isn't a problem at all.…

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Answer 5

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 6

The difference between an load range C and load range D tire in the same size is the capacity and psi rating. The two tires will still have the same dimensions and fit on the same wheel. The D rated tire has a higher capacity. For a ST175/80D13 like…

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Answer 7

Load range B trailer tires are going to have a lower capacity than C load range tires. Basically that, psi rating, and the ply rating are the only differences. A higher load range tire would last a little longer than lower load ranges of the same…

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Answer 8

Your math is correct in your trailer weight load example. If a fully-loaded tandem axle trailer weighs 4000-lbs then each of the 4 tires will bear 1/4th of that load, or 1000-lbs. In this case a tire rated for 1300-lbs would provide a good safety…

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Answer 9

The three most common lug stud sizes for a trailer are 1/2"-20, 9/16"-18, and 5/8"-18. In order to make sure you get the correct lug nuts you need to measure the lug studs on the trailer now as we have no way to look this up for…

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Answer 10

Even though I cannot comment specifically on the grease you used because I am not familiar with it, I can tell you the best grease for trailer bearings is a a grease with a rating of GC-LB, which just means it is made to withstand very high…

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Answer 11

To determine the size of the hub assembly you need to purchase you have to determine which bearings are in the old assembly. If the old assembly has L44649 inner bearings, you would use the hub you chose #8-258-5UC1. If the inner bearings are marked…

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Answer 12

To find the load capacity for your axle you should look on the trailer VIN plate or sticker that lists the VIN number. The weight rating of the axle should be listed on that same plate or sticker. Also, the axle could have a tag or plate on it that…

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