2 Questions... tires/greasing cable

[jonathan]

I have two questions:

1) One of my trailer tires has a few cracks on the sidewalls. This seems pretty serious (bad) to me. Does the tire need to be replaced? If so, can these tire be purchased at a regular tire store?

2) I have a Flagstaff PU and i would like to grease the cable. Does this need to be done? Where do i purchase the grease for this? I can see the cable (where i pop it up on the tongue) - is this where i would grease it?

Thanks!

[birol]

Please change both tires at once ......(especially if they are the same age/mileage)

Sorry I don't know where to buy them


P.S. And do not pick on my answers next time  :Z  :!

[tlhdoc]

The tires on PU's tend to dry rot, because they don't get used a lot.  The cracks you are seeing are signs of that.  You should be able to purchase trailer tires at a regular tire store.  You don't want car tires you want to make sure you get trailer tires and that they are the same size and have the same load rating as the tires you currently have on the trailer.  Do what Birol says and replace both of them.

I use silicone spray for my lift cable.  Check your owners manual or contact the manufacturer and ask what they recommend.  For the Coleman/Fleetwood trailers it is silicone spray.

[birol]

I am amazed no one else posted an answer to this except good old Tlhdoc ! Is everyone camping ?

[tlhdoc]

They could be camping.

[mike4947]

As for the tires, the cracks are the outward sign of dryrot. While you're replacing them don't forget the spare as well. Many a camper has been left stranded when the spare failed becuase everyone "thinks" since it wasn't on the ground it didn't dryrot right along with the other tires.

I'm one of them.

[wynot]

I'm going to take a different approach on the sidewall cracking.  Trailer tires do indeed tend to crack, because of UV (sun), high pressures, and minimal rolling.  Compared to a car tire which tends to be used frequently, lower air pressures, and changing directions (in and out of the weather).  Also, a car tire may be changed after 4 years, whereas a lot of camper tires aren't.

I would take a serious look at your cracking, and make an educated decision from there.  If the cracks are not deep, or substantial, I don't know that I would hurry to change them.  You often get a lot of spiderweb type cracks which come from flexing that aren't fatal.

[jonathan]

Thanks to all for your advice. I have chosen go ahead and replace both tires. As advised, i have checked the spare tire. It looks brand spankin' new on the outside and i did not find anything wrong with it. No small cracks, etc.

I still want to know how to grease the cable.

[tlhdoc]

Also, a car tire may be changed after 4 years, whereas a lot of camper tires aren't.
QUOTE]

Wow 4 years out of a set of car tires.  I am happy if I can get 2 years.

[wynot]

Also, a car tire may be changed after 4 years, whereas a lot of camper tires aren't.
QUOTE]
 
Wow 4 years out of a set of car tires. I am happy if I can get 2 years.

Tracy,
 
Ya think it might have something to do with the distance you commute to work?  I usually get about 70 - 80,000 miles out of a set of radials before they are either 1) at the wear bars or 2) slipping in the wet.  We won't talk about the Audi and the way it likes tires, but it also weighs over 4,200 lbs on relatively narrow rubber (195/65/15) combined with all wheel drive.  Scrubbing speed off in the corners with the tires probably doesn't help their durability either.  I get about 50,000 miles on a set of high quality radials on it.

[lenwick]

I have two questions:

1) One of my trailer tires has a few cracks on the sidewalls. This seems pretty serious (bad) to me. Does the tire need to be replaced? If so, can these tire be purchased at a regular tire store?

2) I have a Flagstaff PU and i would like to grease the cable. Does this need to be done? Where do i purchase the grease for this? I can see the cable (where i pop it up on the tongue) - is this where i would grease it?

Thanks!

I have a Rockwood to grease the cables under the trailer in the middle is a large master tube that has grease zerks at each end the cables run thru and pick up the grease