BLACK LAKE 4-26-16

Haven't been to Black Lake since the flood. I decided to run over there this morning and see what was what. Water is still around 3 feet high, muddy in a lot of places, and with more current than I like to fish in. Didn't get a bite until 10:00. Then, between 10 and 11 I caught 6 crappie and hooked a big bass that broke off after running around the trolling motor. Only kept 3 of the crappie. I quit at 12:30. Water temp was 70-71 degrees. The fish were all caught on my 1/32 "Silver Ghost" in 6-8 feet of water away from the current holding very tight to cover. The 3 I kept were all 11.5-12 inches.

Gotta buy boat trailer tires before I go back. It may be a while. :( I thought the tires that came on the trailer, which is only about 20 months old, would last longer. I guess they put cheap tires on it at the factory. I noticed when I was loading the boat that the tire on the driver's side of the truck was almost completely bald. I guess it's a good thing I noticed it before I headed out on a long trip this summer when the road gets hot and had a blowout. Thank you, Lord!!! :pray

I know what you mean about the tires. My boat is 4 yrs. old and I have gone through 2 sets of 13" bias ply tires. The bias ply tires are fairly cheap, but don't last. I have moved up to 14" radials. Course over the last couple of weeks, both springs on my trailer broke. What can I say.

Pastor there seems to be two types of tires out there, cheap ones and good ones. The ones that came on my trailer were good ones and lasted 5 years of mostly local dragging. I put on some new ones to go to D'Arbonne and they lasted only that one 600 mile round trip. When we returned they were worn and cupped to no end. I now have a pair of Good Year Marathons. I've made several long drags including one to visit Josh at St John with them and they still look like new. So pick carefully.
"gene"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PawPaw "gene"

Pastor there seems to be two types of tires out there, cheap ones and good ones. The ones that came on my trailer were good ones and lasted 5 years of mostly local dragging. I put on some new ones to go to D'Arbonne and they lasted only that one 600 mile round trip. When we returned they were worn and cupped to no end. I now have a pair of Good Year Marathons. I've made several long drags including one to visit Josh at St John with them and they still look like new. So pick carefully.
"gene"

---

my boat came with the Goodyear Marathons....they are all I have ever used....very happy with them.....either low or high air pressure can create the most problems.....

Pastor and PawPaw I have experienced the same problem with my boat trailer tires. The problem is that you can't buy road hazard warranty if the tire goes on a trailer! I ordered two tires in to Walmart because my local store didn't keep in stock the tires I wanted. Those tires were trailer rated and made sure I got 6 ply so they would be more durable and first tire blew out on second fishing trip so I said maybe just a fluke so ordered in another one to match the one I still had. I made two more trips and another one blew out! The tire looked to have broke down across the tread pattern, so I spoke to the manager at Walmart in automotive and they replaced my tire free with a more expensive Good Year Marathon tire and said if I had another problem with the other 6 ply tire they would replace it! Very nice to know they were willing to replace them and were very apologetic about my break downs. Just got back from a trip down to Cocodrie and so far so good!!!
~~ <*{{{{<<

When bought my 2004 express the tires lasted about 2.5 years and they had worn bad. I had to replace them. they are still on it My buddy at the store told me it was my fault.
I had keep the tire pressure at 35 psi I thought that was good to give a little cushion so the boat would not be beat up on rough roads of La. WRONG I have ran 55 psi and they are still in fair shape after many thousand miles.

Thanks for all of the input guys. I will check into those Goodyear Marathon tires when I buy new ones. The tires that came on the trailer are bias ply tires and recommended 50 PSI. I kept a good check on them because, even though my boat is aluminum, it is fairly heavy, especially in the back because of the 20 gallon fuel tank and three batteries. I talked to a lady at a local tire shop. She didn't tell me the brand, but said she had a 6 ply radial tire that would wear better than a bias ply tire.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FSH4FUN

Pastor and PawPaw I have experienced the same problem with my boat trailer tires. The problem is that you can't buy road hazard warranty if the tire goes on a trailer! I ordered two tires in to Walmart because my local store didn't keep in stock the tires I wanted. Those tires were trailer rated and made sure I got 6 ply so they would be more durable and first tire blew out on second fishing trip so I said maybe just a fluke so ordered in another one to match the one I still had. I made two more trips and another one blew out! The tire looked to have broke down across the tread pattern, so I spoke to the manager at Walmart in automotive and they replaced my tire free with a more expensive Good Year Marathon tire and said if I had another problem with the other 6 ply tire they would replace it! Very nice to know they were willing to replace them and were very apologetic about my break downs. Just got back from a trip down to Cocodrie and so far so good!!!
~~ <*{{{{<<

---

Tire & trailer people recommend that you match tires on a trailer.....also, trailer tires (ST) are not rated over 65 MPH.....

My Ranger came with Goodyear Marathons. I kept them at 50 psi and the tread never wore out. They dry rotted after 10 to 12 years. I replaced them with some cheap ones and the tread came off one of them going down the highway. Goodyear Marathons from now on. Great tire.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ledouxmike

My Ranger came with Goodyear Marathons. I kept them at 50 psi and the tread never wore out. They dry rotted after 10 to 12 years. I replaced them with some cheap ones and the tread came off one of them going down the highway. Goodyear Marathons from now on. Great tire.

---

They don't recommend going past 7 years......tread or not......I even replace my spare after 7 years.....

Good info here something to think about :scratchhead

My 2014 Tracker came with Carlisle Radial Trail RH ST185/80R13. It's now 24 months old and has at least 5800 miles on it. I just checked the tread with a tread gage and, compared with the never used spare, it has used 3 mm of the original 8 mm of tread. Tread has worn evenly...no complaints.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RMGeorge

My 2014 Tracker came with Carlisle Radial Trail RH ST185/80R13. It's now 24 months old and has at least 5800 miles on it. I just checked the tread with a tread gage and, compared with the never used spare, it has used 3 mm of the original 8 mm of tread. Tread has worn evenly...no complaints.

---

what tire pressure are you running........

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RMGeorge

My 2014 Tracker came with Carlisle Radial Trail RH ST185/80R13. It's now 24 months old and has at least 5800 miles on it. I just checked the tread with a tread gage and, compared with the never used spare, it has used 3 mm of the original 8 mm of tread. Tread has worn evenly...no complaints.

---

I have the same exact boat/trailer as George, same year. Have pulled it to Arkansas a couple of times, Oklahoma as well. Toledo Bend regular, so many miles. I run 50 psi cold.

Always check the tires before pulling out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by prefers shiners

what tire pressure are you running........

---

​50 PSI

I run 50 psi also. Probably put 20,000 plus miles on my first set that came on my Xpress. I'm using radial car tires now. Always have replaced trailer tires with radials and have always had good luck. I pull about 68 to 70 mph on the interstate. I think the 3 most important things are good tires, max pressure and make sure your axle is square to your trailer. :twocents

I bet the radial car tires are cheaper than marathons as well.

Food for thought on tires...

Tire Tech Information - Trailer Tires vs. Passenger Vehicle Tires

What To Know About Trailer Tires - Trailering - BoatUS

Trailer Tire Basics | West Marine

Y'all had me checking my trailer tires....my Ranger aluminum came with Carlisle radials....I've been keeping 35-40 psi in them, but from now on it'll be 50...

Yes....There is a difference between trailer tires and car tires......The three links the Bruce posted explains it.

My mistake. I really meant to say I use radial tires. Not really car tires.