Safest way to run a mismatched spare tire?

[flathead6]

I have a two axle boat trailer with four good tires, sized 7. 00 x 14. Problem is, we can't find 7. 00 trailer tires around here anymore and it doesn't have a spare. I have 8. 00 x 14 tires and rims though. If I carry the 8. 00s as spares and have a flat, what is the best use of the 8. 00 tire? 1. Replace the flat 7. 00 with the 8. 00 and run the odd size OR 2. replace both tires on the same side or 3. replace both tires on the same axle? Looking for the best scenario just to get home without buying a set of all new tires.

Thanks.

 

[keimmmo]

In my opinion, spare tires are for emergencies only. In theory, you will never use them. If forced to use them, you just run slowly until you can get a good tire fixed/bought to make things right and continue on as normal. I would replace just the bad tire to get to a safe place and decide what to do from there.



You really do not HAVE to run trailer service tires on a trailer to be perfectly safe. I have run light truck tires on my trailers for over 20 years! You might consider buying a set of light truck tires for the trailer and using the trailer service tires as spares.



If you are forced to run mismatched tires on a trailer, I would run them in axle sets. Having mismatched tires side to side can cause handling problems. The problem is not nearly as bad with matched pairs on each axle.



Again, my opinion.



Steve Keim

 

[jelag]

Keimmmo has some very good points... I'd like to add...



1 - this is not going on a stear or drive axle..... thats the good point... all I'd be concerned about is using tires that have the proper load rating... and are about the same diameter as my old tires...



2 - I also don't run trailer service tires on my trailers... I look for a good highway tread, and a load rating that meets or exceeds the load on the trailer... .



3 - I also look for a tire dealer that is supported in the area's that I'm going to travel in... . so that if and when I need road service, or tire service I can get it... often a lot of tires dealers won't help if you bought that tire from someone else... .



Hope this helps...

 

[Tee]

My boat trailer has the same issue. Just run slow till you get to where you can get it repaired and your good.

 

[BGott]

On a trailer you just have to get it close, it isn't driving or steering. I have a trash trailer that has all different sized tires all the way around and it pulls dead straight, no problems whatsoever. Every time I cut a tire down at the dump it gets a used 15", I don't even look at the aspect ratio.

 

[flathead6]

Thanks guys. Thats what I needed to know. Just wanted to make sure I was staying safe and not creating potential problems.