Is it a problem that I see some 19' or even 20' boats come with a single axle trailer equipped with 1870lbs rated tires, when the total boat/trailer package exceeds 3740 lbs?

It's probably not dangerous, per se. But it can't be good for the tires.
I am guessing the boat dealer puts it on the trailer, cause the trailer has 4000lb axle. They never think to look at the tires' weight rating.

I'm in this exact situation with my Searay. Its a matched trailer from Searay, yet its technically overloaded. I upped the tire size as much as I could and you can bet I watch the tires and tire pressure well.

It trailers really well, but I know its at its limit.

Ken

Interesting post. Going to have to look at the rating on my tires.

I have the same problem, I have looked into adding a axle, but everything has been fine for 10 years and several long trips. I just pay very close attention and make sure the tires are inflated to the max.

Same here Ken. While I haven't weighed my rig (I know, but don't flame me), I know it is at least 4,000lbs with gas and gear. I have trailered all over on a matched, single axle Load Rite trailer and Load Star 215 75/14 bias ply tires with zero problems. I want to replace them since they are developing a lot of cracks, and I am looking at my options. THe place I normally have my tires done at (who does good work and carries good tires) carries Carlisles, so I'm not sure I want to trust Carlisles with a slight overload situation. Unfortunately, the only place that carries Load Stars only sells them on the wheel.

Put some 2150 lb rated Marathon tires on it and have no worries. My last trailer had these mounted to a single 6000 lb (or so) axle.

Personally, I've heard a few too many horror stories to really trust Carlisle tires. I have Loadmaster radials on my trailer now and with at least 5000 miles on them they have been excellent. I don't think you can go wrong with Marathons either.

I have Load Stars on my snowmobile trailer and my utility trailer and have had them on others - never a problem.

Ken

Can't. I have 14" wheels. You need 15" to get the 2150 load rating, and they won't fit my hubs or my fenders.

Oh... Bummer. Seems silly that they can't make a sturdy 14" tire.

PP, I'd pass on the Carlisle tires based on all the negative comments I've seen on here.

If your normal guy doesn't carry decent tires, is there a local chain that might carry better tires?

local good year chain has the white letter marathons in my size on sale for $89

I'd be going from bias-ply to radial...any issues there?

Bias-ply to Marathon radial will be huge improvement. I think you will love them. The marathons have a great "feel" that's hard to quantify but pleasant.

I felt a huge improvement when I went from bias ply to radials. I think you'll like it.

Some awesome info here. Check out the load/inflation tables. Never seen this anywhere before. This speaks to the folks who *don't* think its a good idea to fully inflate their trailer tires. Also note that trailer tires are normally rated for 65mph max.

http://www.goodyear.com/rv/tirecare/maintenance_tips.html

Ken

This same issue helped me decide to keep my 21' in a slip through the season. Blow outs,and knots in the side walls Carlises), and the general fear that is associated with being close to maxed out. The Marathons are an anxiety reliever on the trailer even when for just 2 trips a season.

I can understand that, but at least with a blowout, I'd be there to fix it. If a bilge pump quit, and I was 100 miles from the boat, I'd be SOL

Ah, you just need a good cover, and a backup bilge pump!

PP, regarding the switch from bias ply to radial, radial seems to be a better tire. I will say that I have seen in a magazine somewhere before that bia ply tires are better at handling weight (your tires seem to prove that) where radials are better at handling the heat of longer towing. So if you trailer a long way, and you find radials with the proper load rating, I'd say you have the best of both worlds. As long as you change all tires to radial, you'll have no issues. Mixing bias ply and radials is not a good thing.

So I guess then if my bias-ply Load Stars can handle the weight, a set of Marathons should.

I think I'm actually going to get LoadMasters. They are the same as Marathons, made by Goodyear on the same line, but are less$$$ and a reputable trailer dealer here swears by them. He highly recommended the radial over bias-ply. In addition to the benefits mentioned, he also said they bounce less, don't crack as fast and ride better.

Puddle, call Joe's tire and battery on Union Blvd for Tow Master Radials. They might be less. Joe's has the best prices since I've been buying tires in 1989. No, I'm not associated with them.

Hey, that's who I did call He was recommended by NTB, who couldn't even get the size tire I need (215 75/14). Joes got the LoadMasters for $89 a piece, installed. He also has Marathons for $109 installed. I'm doing the Loadmasters...he recommended them.

Thanks Eric. Lets GTG on the Pack this year.