Trailer tyres

psychopic · 30 August 2007, 11:48

I live two mins from local slipway (Mudeford) which is totally crap at everything other than full high tide. I was thinking of replacing the tyres on trailer with something like those big ballon type tyres with a knobbly tread pattern, to make launching and in particular moving the trailer without the boat on by hand over the silt , sand, rocks etc.

My question is that they are not to my knowledge road legal, I think they are meant more for launching trolleys rather than road trailers. Good idea or not? What view would the police take on that do you think?

psycho

Nasher · 30 August 2007, 12:07

I think the construction and use regs are a bit lapse with regard to trailer tyres, but I also think like everything you need to judge the risk.

Even though you are only 2 mins from the slipway you are technically travelling on the highway Illeagally.
The only time this would be a problem is if you have an accident on the way.
How busy is the road etc?

If it was me, and I lived two minutes from the slip, I think the police would be more interested in the fact that I had no light board, prop bag etc

Nasher.

psychopic · 30 August 2007, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

If it was me, and I lived two minutes from the slip, I think the police would be more interested in the fact that I had no light board, prop bag etc

Nasher.

Um yes that's the other thing, the light board and prop bag haven't left my garage in the past 3 years, nobody has ever said anything about it

BogMonster · 30 August 2007, 12:39

I don't have a light board and prop bag

I'm pretty sure they are not road legal. Is the trailer a design that you could fit something like Land Rover wheels to? That's what mine has got (4 x 7.50R16 LR wheels) though it was built around that by the original owner its not a commercial trailer.

floater · 30 August 2007, 12:47

but Stephen do you have any PC plod ?

BogMonster · 30 August 2007, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by floater

but Stephen do you have any PC plod ?

Yes, but the reality is that more or less none of the 4x4 trailers here have lights or number plates on so they only take an interest if you are towing it in the dark! Road speeds are much lower (max speed limit is 40mph) and very little traffic so the risks are minimal.

codprawn · 30 August 2007, 17:59

Just becuase you have large balloon type tyres doesn't make them illegal. As long as they are marked and have legal tread who cares? Quad bikes manage!!!

Limey Linda · 30 August 2007, 18:29

If you only live a few mins. from the slip then let your tyres down to 8-10 psi and more than double the contact area. Yes, you can send me a cheque for this piece of valuable advice.

psychopic · 30 August 2007, 18:35

Linda, your cheque is in the post

Colin F · 30 August 2007, 21:59

i have these tyres on my quad, do a search for "kings slashers", good knobblies and not too expensive. CE marked for road use

Nasher · 30 August 2007, 22:18

Surely the agressive tread pattern is only needed if you are driving or braking the wheel?

Nasher

codprawn · 30 August 2007, 22:21

In sand a bald tyre or a slick is much better than treaded ones. Of course PC Plod wouldn't understand that!!!

Colin F · 30 August 2007, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Surely the agressive tread pattern is only needed if you are driving or braking the wheel?

Nasher

true, more choice in knobblies as there are lots of quads that use 'em.

Downhilldai · 30 August 2007, 22:25

Why not fit a wide section road tyre instead?
The flat tread would do a better job of spreading the load evenly (larger contact patch) than the rounded section profile of those off-road knobblies

Nasher · 30 August 2007, 22:40

Convert to a Transit stud pattern and use twin normal wheels.
Assuming you have enough stud axle length to accomodate the massive offset.

OR
Use normal road wheels, but mount in front and behind them a set of wider Off road wheels/tyres, but lifted up about 2 or 3 inches. These could be bolted direct to the trailer with no suspension.
On the road, only the road wheels will be in contact with the surface. - Legal.
On the soft stuff the road wheels will only sink in a couple of inches before the 4 wider wheels take over and spread the load.

Best of both worlds?

Nasher

BogMonster · 31 August 2007, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Use normal road wheels, but mount in front and behind them a set of wider Off road wheels/tyres, but lifted up about 2 or 3 inches. These could be bolted direct to the trailer with no suspension.
On the road, only the road wheels will be in contact with the surface. - Legal.
On the soft stuff the road wheels will only sink in a couple of inches before the 4 wider wheels take over and spread the load.

Some of the farmers here use that concept on agricultural trailers, to spread the load on soft ground (of which there is plenty around these parts). Never tried it but apparently it works well...