IMHO:
The idea that a 12" tire runs better than an 8" tire is usually based on
visual impact and very American opinion bigger is always better. Some claim it
rides smoother. Neither of these viewpoints is correct. The most important
measurements of tire durability and load carrying are printed on sidewall of
all tires. These are Max Load at lbs pressure (LCCP), and number of plies.
Example: A 12" tire with an LCCP of 800 lbs at 50lbs pressure is not better
than an 8" tire with an LCCP of 1,000 lbs @ 50 lbs. In fact, on a P19 with a
cruising weight of 1600 lbs on a 200 lb trailer you are exceeding capacity of
tires, they will overheat and blow on you sooner of later. The 8 " inch tires
would be best. On a P15 that weighs very little larger tires will only make it
more difficult to launch. You can get 8" tires with a higher LCCP and that
will make a difference.
When checking adequacy of tire load carrying you add the weight of Boat,
motor, trailer and gear divided by 2
In addition there are other important items or grades like temp range,
traction, etc.
Best
SF hanging in there...
In a message dated 3/9/99 1:36:56 PM Eastern Standard Time, RSKARAM@aol.com
writes:
<< Subj: Re: RE: P15 Trailer
Date: 3/9/99 1:36:56 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: RSKARAM@aol.com
To: LBertran@npr.org, wwpotter@tscnet.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >>
Subj: Re: RE: P15 Trailer
Date: 3/9/99 1:36:56 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: RSKARAM@aol.com
To: LBertran@npr.org, wwpotter@tscnet.com
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Dear Laura:
I had the 8 inch wheel tilt trailer on my previous P-15. I now have a later
P-15 #2098 with the newer trailer and 12 inch wheels. On my short trips I
couldn't discern any difference. The difference I did notice is that the old
8 inch wheeled trailer would allow you to launch in a mud puddle. The 12 inch
wheels require you to get further out into the water.
I do prefer my new trailer because it is galvanized, supports the boat
better, and I suspect is a lot more durable. It is worth the price of not
being able to launch as easily as the 8 inch wheels.
I would suggest that you leave the 8 inch wheels on and spend your money on a
spare 8" wheel if you don't have one. I figure the spare tire would be more
security than the bigger tires.
Richard S. Karam
P-15 #2098 Oops
Oklahoma City
In a message dated 3/9/99 3:09:17 PM, LBertran@npr.org writes:
>I've been a lurker on this list for several months and have gotten a lot
>of great information from it. In fact, I've enjoyed the list so much that
>I bought a 1988 P15 last fall. I have a question about the trailer,
>which is the original tilt trailer and seems to be in good shape. I've
>been told that 12" tires will run better than the 8" that are on the
>trailer now. I have found a good deal on 12" tires and wheels with
>the same lug configurationand would like to switch to these.
>Obviously, I have to change the fenders to larger ones but aside
>from that, is there anything else I need to watch out for in
>making this conversion? Thanks.