Trailer Tyres

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Wimblowdriver

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I have an Ifor single axle unbraked trailer, bought to shift the contents of my garage / garden / house from Kent to Lincolnshire and then to take bikes for track days later this year. It was virtually new and clearly unused for any hard work when I got it late last year, since when it has done about 4500 miles in 11 return trips since mid December. All with no problems. On Sunday it blew a tyre out on the A46 north of Lincoln. The tyre had well overheated, as found when I picked the tread and sidewalls up in the middle of the carriageway. Had detected a slight wallow shortly before the blowout. Tyre was in perfect condition before setting off, pressures all correct, trailer not overloaded but close to capacity, so I can only surmise it took a puncture and as it was losing pressure it overheated and blew. Judging by the number of tyre carcasses I saw today between Grantham and Lincoln (and one or two busy mobile fitters) there must be a few nails on the roads in that part of the world). Anyway a bit of research shows that I can get the same size tyres with 8 and 10 ply construction (it is fitted with high speed floatation tyres, 4 ply), and higher load capacities. But I suspect they will blow out just the same if they get overheated in the same way. Anybody got experience or knowledge on this? Would I be wasting my money by up-rating the tyres?
 
I would use proper trailer tyres that are rated for the correct weight and speed. Do a search to find out what it came with new,

What ifor trailer is it?

If the pressures were ok when you set off they could be to high under load on a long journey,

It could of got a puncture or is play gave up
 
Correct tyres in as new condition as supplied with the trailer from new. It's a P8e trailer. I have the original Ifor spec sheet with all the build details. Tyre ratings all correct for the duties.
 
Correct tyres in as new condition as supplied with the trailer from new. It's a P8e trailer. I have the original Ifor spec sheet with all the build details. Tyre ratings all correct for the duties.
Could just be unlucky, / lucky you did not loose your load, personal choice but if I was going to be running close the weight limit I would want some extra rating for peice of mind,
 
Could just be unlucky, / lucky you did not loose your load, personal choice but if I was going to be running close the weight limit I would want some extra rating for peice of mind,

That is what I think also, but would I be wasting my money if the up-rated tyres / loading still blow out as a result of getting a puncture? That is the question I am struggling to answer myself. I got a replacement tyre this morning, after a bit of a search on Monday, but could only get the same type / rating in the time I had available. Could have got an uprated one but would have had to wait for it to be ordered in to the tyre centre.
 
Don't think it would be more puncture resistant, maybe if you ran over glass but it would still damage it rendering it un road worthy,

how old is the trailer?
 
Built mid 2014, so not old at all. Virtually unused when I got it, still like new now.
 
?Check the date stamp on the remaining tyre in case previous owner swapped them for some unused older ones, tyres should be replaced after about 6 years from manufacture irrespective of tread depth. You could also get something like tyrepal to monitor pressures and temperatures on the move see here
 
I have had a few trailers and caravans over the years, first thing I do is replace the tyres as often they sit in one place for months so I feel it does them no good as the load is in the same place.
http://www.gislaved-tires.com/gener...re-dictionary-en.html?cid=4493054&tid=4493058
I fit these to any trailer that's load carrying, they are not cheap but are designed to carry high loads on farm machines etc but still speed rated. They carry far more than your cheap Chinese trailer tyres.
https://www.bigtyres.co.uk/5-00-8-10-ply-vredestein-v54-high-speed.html
 
Always use trailer tyres the extra strength help stop the tyre deforming you won't notice it much on a single axle but if you look at a double axle trailer doing a tight reverse you will question how the tyres stay on the rims !

and yes like others said tread depth doesn't indicate the condition the start to almost biodegrade and split before the tread wears
 
Thanks for all the input guys. Just did another 200 mile trip norf this afternoon, checked pressures before and after loading up the trailer, no problems on the drive up, tyres nice and cool on arrival. Trailer will now be laid up for a while with the wheels off (makes it harder for toerags to nick it). Will be putting uprated tyres on soon as some of you suggest, which really does make sense.
 
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