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Installing Trailer Tires

Discussion in 'Towing' started by exploringcarolina, Oct 29, 2012.

  1. Oct 29, 2012 at 6:04 AM
    #1
    exploringcarolina

    exploringcarolina [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My motorcycle trailer needed tires. The motorcycle trailer had "old" ST 4.80-12s and the new Sea Doo boat trailer had Loadstar ST 5.30-12s. Decided to steal the boat trailer tires & install on the motorcycle trailer. The 5.30-12 is wider & larger diameter than the 4.80-12, so had to adjust the motorcycle trailer fenders for clearance.

    Installed Loadstar ST 145/R-12s radial tires on the Sea Doo trailer. The Loadstar 5.30-12s that were replaced, are close to the same size, diameter/width, as the Loadstar ST 145/R-12s, so no fender adjustment needed.

    Interesting note, do not have a wheel adapter to static balance automotive style wheels with a No-Mar motorcycle tire/wheel static balancer, but found both trailer's wheels turn free enough to static balance tires with motorcycle stick-on weights when installed on the trailer. No brakes on either trailer. Have not balanced them yet, but will take care of that job later this week. In both cases the trailer tires installed yesterday have higher load capacities than the trailer tires they replaced.

    Breaking the bead on a 5.30-12 tire:

    IMG_0296_1394d01d6e29ba1e1d3c34e48978fc6d108e761f.jpg

    IMG_0292_4e349322b294bd543360bae3b4b80ee743c3f1b9.jpg

    Installing Radial tire with No-Mar spoon:
    IMG_0293_b4fed4a0c3832858be49b4c12ee40e632480cec2.jpg

    New ST 145/R-12 installed on Sea Doo trailer:
    IMG_0294_af00b98bba69642effab3accc17e2cb85bde25b3.jpg

    Cycle Hill Tire Stand:
    IMG_0297_952cffba39d87ddc6476248c03f8a9f21952bc55.jpg
     
  2. Dec 20, 2012 at 8:28 AM
    #2
    tractng

    tractng Well-Known Member

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    Since we are talking about trailer tire/wheels. I have set of galvanized 12" wheels/tires that I want to replace with a 13" set which are white. Should I paint the wheels another color to match my galvanized trailer? This will be my jet ski trailer and I want to make it nice for my future new jet ski.

    If so, what color would be a good match?
     
  3. Dec 20, 2012 at 10:46 AM
    #3
    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

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    Hitch and wiring, aux back-up light, rear strobe lights, radio and underseat sub.
    You have to use a primer made for painting over galvenized surfaces. If you don't, it will chip off.

    I would go with black enamel with hardener. It hides dirt well.
     
  4. Dec 20, 2012 at 9:50 PM
    #4
    tractng

    tractng Well-Known Member

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    The white rims are steal. So regular primer should work. The galvanized 12" is the set I want to get rid of.

    So still go with the color you suggested on a galvanized trailer?

    http://www.trailerandtruckparts.com...-Trailer-Rim-5-on-45_p_1106.html#.UNP6q3f-2ZE
     
  5. Dec 21, 2012 at 7:35 AM
    #5
    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

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    Dammit. I read too fast:/

    No primer needed if it's already painted. Just scuff with sandpaper, clean, and recoat. Use index cards to keep the paint off the tires.
     
  6. Dec 21, 2012 at 7:45 AM
    #6
    hetkind

    hetkind Well-Known Member

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    bilstein set at 1.75, Racho 5000 rear with 4 leaf kit, floor mats, high lift jack, pull hook in hitch, bed rail corner braces, severe duty brake pads and devil horns on the grill....
    Trailer wheels and tires are awfully cheap at TSC and Northern Tool...and I use my HF brand tire machine on both motorcycle tires and automotive/light truck tires on a regular basis.

    Trailer tires don't really need to be balanced, but HF sells an inexpensive static machine that works well. I used it to balance my taco snows on 17 rims recently.

    Howard
     
  7. Dec 21, 2012 at 10:19 PM
    #7
    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

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    Hitch and wiring, aux back-up light, rear strobe lights, radio and underseat sub.
    Anything running over 25mph needs balanced. Otherwise, they will wear uneven and cause nasty vibrations.
     
  8. Dec 22, 2012 at 4:51 AM
    #8
    exploringcarolina

    exploringcarolina [OP] Well-Known Member

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    This is the No-Mar static balancer I use for motorcycle wheels. It lets the tire rotate with the heavy part of the wheel stopping at the lowest point, so you can stick weights on the top of the wheel until the wheel will stay in any position without rotating. Thinking about getting a trailer hub to adapt to the motorcycle balancer, so I can balance trailer wheels. Saw the bubble balancer at HF for the first time last week and would buy one of those if I didn't already have a static balancer for motorcycle wheels.

    SANY0042_4df6ba0c0c36b813c2366c1b93c0c57b4fcc42f0.jpg
     
  9. Dec 22, 2012 at 6:39 AM
    #9
    hetkind

    hetkind Well-Known Member

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    bilstein set at 1.75, Racho 5000 rear with 4 leaf kit, floor mats, high lift jack, pull hook in hitch, bed rail corner braces, severe duty brake pads and devil horns on the grill....
    The HF static balancer is cheaper than getting the right adapters for the no-mar type balancer. I have one of each:)

    Howard
     
  10. Dec 22, 2012 at 2:09 PM
    #10
    exploringcarolina

    exploringcarolina [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I drive by HF every week. Will take a close look at their balancer next week!
     

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