Another blown trailer tyre

   I've been towing for longer than I care to think, but on two of the last three events I've been to, my RS100 trailer (a West Mersea 250) has blown the outside tyre on the way home. And no, it's not chaffing the mudguard and pressures were OK.
I'm certainly not driving any differently now to before, so whats going on? We know the roads are terrible, but both times they died on decently surfaced motorways. Not fun putting the spare on! First time, I could unhook and push back 50 yards to a quiet slip road. Last night, the M40 was crawling when the tyre went, which was sort of lucky.

So are the tyres just worse or what?

Is a switch to 10" wheels do-able without new mudguards etc? Would the extra 2" make any difference?

Google found me 6-ply 'high-speed' tyres even at 8" (compared to standard 4-ply). LeisureMart seems to sell the 6-ply at £24 and 4-ply at £20 - so why would anyone sell the cheap one so I have to take my life in my hands swapping out dead wheels? And 10" 6-ply are £42, which is still cheaper than being killed by a wayward lorry, even if I have to change the 100, 200 and laser trailers then buy a spare.

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fab100 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1005	Post Options Post Reply Quote fab100 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Another blown trailer tyre Posted: 25 Nov 14 at 12:47am
	I've been towing for longer than I care to think, but on two of the last three events I've been to, my RS100 trailer (a West Mersea 250) has blown the outside tyre on the way home. And no, it's not chaffing the mudguard and pressures were OK. I'm certainly not driving any differently now to before, so whats going on? We know the roads are terrible, but both times they died on decently surfaced motorways. Not fun putting the spare on! First time, I could unhook and push back 50 yards to a quiet slip road. Last night, the M40 was crawling when the tyre went, which was sort of lucky. So are the tyres just worse or what? Is a switch to 10" wheels do-able without new mudguards etc? Would the extra 2" make any difference? Google found me 6-ply 'high-speed' tyres even at 8" (compared to standard 4-ply). LeisureMart seems to sell the 6-ply at £24 and 4-ply at £20 - so why would anyone sell the cheap one so I have to take my life in my hands swapping out dead wheels? And 10" 6-ply are £42, which is still cheaper than being killed by a wayward lorry, even if I have to change the 100, 200 and laser trailers then buy a spare.
	Great book for Club Sailors here

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Nov 14 at 2:02am
	Could it just be bad luck? About three years ago, in the space of about 3 months I had punctures in 2 trailer tyres (different trailers), the van and twice on the bike... Well worth checking your wheel bearings carefully of course.

Do Different Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jan 12 Location: North Online Status: Offline Posts: 1312	Post Options Post Reply Quote Do Different Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Nov 14 at 7:45am
	Only my opinion and I have no specialist knowledge. However. To my eye our trailer tyres are pretty cheap & nasty crossply and be honest what sort of speeds are you cruising at? Yes in theory they may be up to the job but are they specced down to a price? I've got 145/10 radials, the old Mini size and run them at about 25 psi. I do encounter quite a few of our Dutch & German Continental friends, they mostly have much better specced gear often running on 13" rims.

Paramedic Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 929	Post Options Post Reply Quote Paramedic Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Nov 14 at 8:08am
	the 8 inch tyres are utter rubbish. 10 inch are much better, but make sure you get the 145/R10 not 145/B10 as the latter are only rated to 50mph and will wear out almost as fast as your 8 inch wheels almost regardless of how fast you go! I dont think they are fit for purpose and don't even start me on the quality of light boards!! To change them unfortunately may not be straightforward. When i did my west mersea we had to cut the mudguards off and make new brackets. The wheel itself fitted but all the bracketry was in the wrong place. Once done it was fine and as far as i know is still trailing around some 6 years later.

maxibuddah Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 06 Mar 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1760	Post Options Post Reply Quote maxibuddah Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Nov 14 at 8:23am
	When I had a spate of punctures on new tyres on my car the garage suggested from experience is because the new tyres pick up debris better than old and hence get punctured easier. Maybe you were just unlucky with the first and resultant is from the debris.? The 8" wheels on my vandercraft trailer have never punctured in 10 years of towing and are still in good condition
	Everything I say is my opinion, honest

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Nov 14 at 8:26am
	I'm always wary of having the 8" wheels, but to be fair, I've not had any trouble for years. Touch wood, fingers crossed... Do like trailers with Mini wheels when towing, but they are bloomin' heavy lifting them around in the front garden.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

laser193713 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 889	Post Options Post Reply Quote laser193713 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Nov 14 at 9:22am
	Was there any sign of wear on the tread of the deceased tyre? It could be that the whole suspension unit is mounted slightly off straight causing it to drag a little and creating high loads in the walls and bead of the tyre? A simple check would be to set it up with a new tyre, measure the width at the forward and aft sides of them to check it is at least close to straight. Also check there is no play in the bearing or suspension unit and that as it compresses that it doesn't skew the wheel left or right.

iiitick Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 04 Jun 14 Location: gb Online Status: Offline Posts: 478	Post Options Post Reply Quote iiitick Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Nov 14 at 9:33am
	As part of my mis-spent life I drove big trucks for 12 years. I once had 13 punctures in 3 weeks! Admittedly there were 18 tyres to go at but it was amazing at the time. I think it is just bad luck....keep doing the lottery.

fab100 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1005	Post Options Post Reply Quote fab100 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Nov 14 at 1:27pm
	Yay! Seven really interesting an helpful answers. Thank you. I'll check the alignment and bearings, then explore whether 10-inchers will fit (sounds like not, sadly) It was a brand new tyre when it went on, so food for thought from Maxi And at a minimum it's the 6-ply, R-spec ones for me from now on. One other thought that has come to me - usually the wife is not with me when I am towing a boat, but on the three occasions I've had a puncture, she was in the car each time. Hmmmm. Not sure about doing the lottery tho - I used my luck a couple of years ago when, on the A3, a half-brick sized cobble smashed thru the windscreen on the passenger side (luckily I was alone) missed bouncing off the head restraint as the seat was folded down and settled in the stuff in the boot. It was a stray paver kicked up by a vehicle passing the other way. Made quite a bang!
	Great book for Club Sailors here

ChrisI Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 09 Aug 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 143	Post Options Post Reply Quote ChrisI Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Nov 14 at 4:37pm
	".....and don't even start me on the quality of light boards!!" Completely agree....incredibly flimsy...the wiring to the lights seems to expire after about 5 trips. Very frustrating. Anyone know where you can get proper job/robust units? PS Have used 10 inch wheels for 20k plus miles trailing with no problem and can't recommend Sovereign too highly plus the service they provide. Have had a main bearing go but think that was due to towing the trailer without boat for a few long trips (... to Hamburg n back etc)?