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BIGCATTER.
Hi guys,I had a tire come apart a few days ago, and wanted to mention it to see if this is a common failure or if this was just a fluke. I have a 2009 Puma that I bought a year ago from a really nice guy named Corky on this forum, the boat has low hours and the trailer tires still look new. The original tires are Cooper Cobras and were made in June of 2008, and I was lucky enough to get an identical replacment tire that was made in Oct or Nov of 2010 (I cant remember the week off hand). I have read some posts here regarding the whole “car tire vs trailer tire”, and realize that failures occur on both. I have also read that the Coopers are not available (?), and that there was a series of them that had bead failure issues, but have not seen anything regarding failures of other types. I dont want to replace the tires if they dont need replacing, but I dont want to go through another failure like this if I can help it either. I am pretty anal about tire pressure, and keep them at 44PSI. Is this too high? I am hoping that someone may be able to tell me if my tires were from a “bad batch”, the owner of the tire shop felt that it was a defective tire that caused the failure, but that I was probably out of luck with any warranty issue because of the “car tire on a boat trailer” thing. I am interested in what anybody thinks or suggests. I am gonna try to attach some pics, but if I dont have success, the failure was a pretty bad separation issue, a chunk of cover about 12″ long is laying on the interstate somewhere. There was no indication, and I pulled over as soon as I felt any vibration. Thanks in advance, Rich
I might be wrong, but I thought 35 psi was the max on those. I know Cooper has quit making the tire under the Cooper name. Its now the Matercraft that BCB is using. I had to buy new tires the other day and thats what a Cooper dealer told me. Same thing, just different name.
I have used them since 2007. Had two blow out. One was due to a puncture and resulting low pressure during a long trip. Not a tire fault. I just had one blow out yesterday too. It was not a pressure or damage issue and was during a short trip. It just blew out badly. Other than this one that is questionable, no issues.Scott
Ive been repairing cars / trucks for 40 years , and IMHO car tires are manufactured for ride comfort and treadlife , as well as handling characteristics such as sidewall deflection and traction . — The suspension system on cars also absorbs alot of any impact you may have from hitting or running over something . — Trailers have very little suspension travel , and what little they do have is harsh at best . — Trailer tires are designed with a heavier sidewall and generally have a higher pressure rating as well . — I run my tires at 52 p.s.i. , and I run a ” TRAILER ” tire . — Never had a blowout in 20 years of Basscatin . — Just my humble opinion and personal experience .
Sidewalls are not heavier on a trailer tire simply because it is a trailer tire. Some are the same thickness in sidewall as a standard tire. The Trailer Industry has a standard for use of passenger car tires and a reduction in gross capacity.Last edited by Bass Cat Boats on May 21st, 2012, 6:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
One thing I forgot to mention…..I have a really small garage, and use the Harbor Freight version of “Go-Jacks” to pivot the boat around. These things do put load on the tires that they may normally not see, and I have wondered if this may be part of the problem. For the record, I only use them to pivot the boat and then unload them so the tires do not see abnormal stress when the boat is stored. As far as pressure, I believe the tires do say that 44PSI is max, and that is where I normally keep them.
There have been issues with Cooper tires. That being said, 4 year old tires could be having issues with age. Trailer tires take abuse by sitting too long too. Id call Pete at BCB parts and see what he says.
Rich:I am very sorry to hear that you had a tire blow. Which tire blew? I tell you, I really miss that boat, more than any boat I have ever owned. I purchased the boat new and maintained the tires at maximum pressure per instructions from Bass Cat. I believe the pressure indicated on the side wall is 45 pounds of pressure, but I am not now certain. Call BassCat and see what they recommend regarding the replacement of the tires. I have heard that tires should be replaced every four to five years, but the people at BassCat will give you the straight scoop on replacing the tires. I never had any problems out of the tires or the trailer. Heck, I never had any problems out of the boat either. If I were you, I would probably replace all four tires with whatever BassCat recommends. I had a five year old tire blow at 80 miles an hour on my old Avalanche. The tire dealer told me to always replace tires every four years regardless of how good they look. He then smiled and said, “I would have said five years, but this one blew at five so I recommend four for you.” In short, trust what the people at BassCat tell you to do. That is too nice of a boat and you are too nice of a guy to take a chance running on tires that might need to be replaced.Good luck, Corky
The tires on my 2009 were pretty much nuked when I rolled to Hankooks this year. But mine had quite a few miles on them. No dry rot just worn out laterally and one with tread separation I saw before it went as I am pretty anal on maintenance.Every 4 years is pretty much what youre gonna have to do unless you never fish like Gary Gould.C.O.D. Jr. III
I found some interesting reading on the tire issue and thought I would pass it along to anyone interested. — Just go to Google and type in Special trailer tire design , then scroll down until you find Special trailer tires versus passenger tires . — It tells you all you need to know about trailer tire construction . — Just an F.Y.I. kinda thing .
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