Trailer Tires

[DTro]

I'm way overdue for a new set. They are 5.30x12. It looks like most places sell these with the rims. Is that the better route than buying just the rubber and having them mounted on old rim?

Any recommendations for metro area good pricing? Since the boat isn't worth much and doesn't travel a whole lot, the cheaper the better . I just don't feel safe with them being slicks right now.

[Joe's Kid]

I don't know how much it would cost to have the tire mounted. It might be cheaper to go with the rim & tire set in the end.

It would also give you a couple of spares if you don't already have one. Northern sells them both ways.

Pioneer Rim & Wheel in NE MPLS has always treated me well and can set you up either way too.

Both have reasonable prices.(Although, I'm sure they'd be happy to give you an unreasonable price if that's what you'd prefer.)

Good luck.

[Shack]

I assume it is a 4 lug? Harbor Freight has one, tire & rim for $39.95. They have a store in Columbia Heights/North Mpls on Central & 44th the last time I checked. You can see them on their OL catalog. If you go to their location, do as you would if you're a person who should not have a debit card at a casino. Next thing you know you will be walking out with $200 worth of regular tools you would spend $800 for at big named stores . It is an Haul Master brand tire and they have been good tires for me in the past when using them on smaller trails with 8" rims. Walmart has them on the rim and maybe off for around $50-$60 per tire/rim if I recall.

Etrailer has rim and tire combos going from good ones I would buy starting at $47.50 up to $60.00. No tax and I believe free shipping. If you want one more option, Discount Tire has some good tires and rims combos in the upper $40.00's.

I am not sure of a place local, maybe a hardware store or tire store, that sells just the tire in this size. What I was told way back when was they put these tires on the rim at the manufacture because the old generation tire machines really could not take a tire off and put one on of this size. From my experience you can do it. If you get lucky, nothing happens and it goes on. Most times the bead flipping tool would scrape the rim, but not damage. A customer would not be happy with this. Todays machines should have no issue because they pneumatically grip the rim from inside. As long as the rim will drop down with the jaws on the inside, you can peel the old tire off and then put then new one on. I assume the manufacture has just stuck with what they always have been doing. On-line after a quick search they start (just the tire, no rim) at around $23.00 depending on the load range and then they go up. You should figure in "at least" $10.00 for mounting and disposal, unless you want to get out the pry bars and go to town.

If I could get the center opening over the spindle on the balancer we had at the shop I was working at, I would balance for giggles I guess. Other wise no need for balancing these tires.

Northern Tool is also a good option. About $50.00 for the combo.

Just helped a buddy find one of these for similar, so this was fresh in my mind.

[JohnMickish]

Fleet Farm, Most of the tires they sell are Carlisle, not the best but they are cheap.

[gn83tm]

I had some trailer tire problems on a trip last week in SD. Stopped at a farm supply type store and bought a 4.80x12 4 ply on the rim for about $70. A few miles up the road in Brookings I stopped at a big truck/tractor tire dealer along I-29 and they mounted and balanced 2 tires (4.80x12 6 ply) on my rims while I waited for only $90. I thought that was a pretty fair price so I wouldn't overlook a local tire dealer if I was you.

[harvey lee]

Tire for less both in cash and quality are the Carlisle. I might check around as you may get a better tire for just a bit more.

I do put many hwy miles on so I had mine balanced.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Have you checked Menards? Usually a little cheaper than Northern and Fleet. That's where I bought my last tires/wheels. $54 for a 13" tire/wheel combo a couple years ago.

[Nick Kuhn]

Some marine dealers might have some. We discovered one of our tires was in pretty rough shape at the cabin one day, and it turned out the local auto/marine dealer had the right size tires. Got a nice radial tire, mounted and balanced for $65. We have since added a spare tire, which set us back $77 at fleet farm.

[DTro]

Thanks guys.

I'll probably just end up buying the rim/tire as it's almost a wash by the time you buy the rubber and pay to have them mounted...no?

[gn83tm]

Thanks guys.

I'll probably just end up buying the rim/tire as it's almost a wash by the time you buy the rubber and pay to have them mounted...no?

That wasn't my experience so I'd check out both avenues. A quick phone call or two and you'd know. My stock trailer rims were also a little nicer than the ones you can buy, so that may also be a factor.

[pureinsanity]

Id find just a tire and put the ol tire irons to use. should be easy changing a tire like that out.

[harvey lee]

I would go with the tire and wheel Dtro. Some can be a pain to change. If you were closer, we have a tire machine in the shop and could change it pretty quick for you.

[Shack]

That is pretty slick HL.

Also Dtro if you search a local classifieds for "12 inch trailer tire", a guy in Prior Lake could very possibly have one. Not totally sure if it is used or not.

[Northlander]

Tire for less both in cash and quality are the Carlisle. I might check around as you may get a better tire for just a bit more.

I do put many hwy miles on so I had mine balanced.

Im not a Carlisle fan any more. The last 2 sets I had were terrible. Ya I do put on a lot of miles but one set didnt last a summer and that was after I had my trailer checked out to make sure it was aligned etc.

I recomend a real good radial, especially if you take long trips. Oh and always have at least 1 spare along with you. I carry 2.