whats the downside to radial tires on boat trailer? can say load, because cars and trucks run on radials? i would think a boat would be half that of a car

No downside to it Skeeter, except the price. The radial will last longer than a basis bias ply. For the most part carry more, and it less likely to have OOR issues.

whats the difference in "trailer" tires versus reg radial tires? besides double the price

I wouldn't put anything else on my trailer. I went through two sets of Goodyear Marathons on my 2006 EZ-Loader before switching to Carlisle Radials--Cheaper than Goodyears and I have seen a noted increase in the lifespan. Not sure if it made a huge difference (but very possibly a positive one), I went to Express Lube and had all four tires (the same day I purchased them) filled with nitrogen. They stay at 50 psi regardless of temps and seem to be cooler when trailering. I'm sold on the nitrogen!!!

On a single axle trailer, they have a little more bounce than bias ply tires but that's the only negative I can think of

thanks guys! gonna stick some less expensive radials on the dual axle trailer and see how I like it for awhile.

You might PM Mark Perry seems like he had a line on some tires mfg under the same specs as the Goodyear Marathons. I think I read one of his posts and they are Triangle brand. Supposed to be alot cheaper. Here is a link to a discussion we had some time ago about the Marathons.

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4809073/Re_Goodyear_Marathons#Post4809073

I just don't get the nitrogen thing. Regular air is over 70% nitrogen anyway, how can an additional 30% make any difference at all. I hear it is lighter. The only thing lighter is your wallet. It's a scam, but at least a harmless scam.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read...-instead-of-air

Don't know if it is a scam or not but when I was in the AF we put nitrogen in our aircraft tires. maybe that 30% makes enough difference in pressure fluctuations that it isn't safe for jets but is ok for cars. Maybe race cars/jet cars started using Nitrogen for stability and it just trickled down to normal users who really don't need it.

I agree with the nitrogen thing. It is just another add that dealers can make money on. They tried to sell it to me when I bought my last one. After several questions they quit trying. Radial tires have a tendency to roll more in the sidewalls. Every time I have run radials on a boat trailer I have had blow outs. Most were car tires though. I have never had a blow out or even a flat with Carlisle bias plys.

passenger and light truck radial tires have a more even distribution of weight throughout the tread block because they have better suspension to handle various types of terrain. where as bias bly trailer tires focus more of the load in the center of the tread to make up for the lack of much suspension on leaf spring trailers. by focusing the load on the center of the bias tire, the tire can flex under load or uneven terrain acting together with the leaf springs to create a smoother, sturdier haul.

thanks jbow! that exactly what i was looking for. i will now know to take it easy on bumps. putting reg radials on it.

If by reg radials you mean passenger car radials I would not do it.

The Triangles are about $55.00 per tire with same specs as Marathons. I love mine so far. I think Jcarring bought a set too.

If you put radials on what tire pressure to you use?

I use 45-50 on the Marathon's. Would not expect to use that much on a radial?