Trailer sidewall cracking/ Underrated tires

I was just wondering if anyone out there has a 24 foot ski boat that has underrated tires on it. I have a 07' Enzo sv240 and the tire size is a 205/75 r 14 that is rated to 1720 pounds. They fill to 50 psi but I think that the load range isn't enough for the boat. I have only owned the boat for abut a year and a half and the sidewalls are already cracking. THe boat is stored inside so it isnt from the sun, and the boat doesn't get trailered very far so it cant be from the milage. But I am wondering what people are running on their boats of this size and if they have or are having any of the same problems I am. Thanks any help would be great.

Those 4 tires spec out to a total load rating of 6880...your boat is advertised at 4600 lbs, plus about 950-1100 for the trailer...so the tires are of sufficient size and load rating.

I can't speak to the age and condition of the tires, but they are of the proper rating for your application.

James, I know that your tires for your vehicle have a shelf life before they consider them out of date. Yah, you bought tires for your car yesterday, but technically they arn't good if they have been on the shelf for years and years. I know that spare under my truck, even though it never has been used is technically not considered safe cause its over 6 years old. Does anyone know if they have a manufacturers date on trailer tires?? Would tire cleaner spays be a culprit? Possibly just a bad batch from a bad lot. just ideas

Nice looking boat by the way!

Tire do have a born on date. This will answer a lot of questions about tire life

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897

(Message edited by chpthril on November 19, 2008)

Thanks Guys for the info. Yes I know that the technical weight rating on the tires are correct. The thing is that when it is going down the road the boat squashes the sidewall of the tires down quite a bit and is causing the tires to wear funky, and crack. I have the correct psi in the tires at all times. Yes I found out today that the tires are made in 05' so they have actually been around for a few years. I think that they are going to warranty the tires and give me some new ones but I think that I would like to upgrade to a better weight rating and a 15 inch rim. Any suggestions.

May be a stretch here, but have you checked the PSI with different gauges as a comparison? Always when cold, FYI.

The sidewalls will crack if the tire ages but not from excess weight. If you don't use your tires they age faster than if you use them.
What really ages rubber are things like UV rays and Ozone. If you are near plant lights, exposed to sunlight, beside a welding machine or electronic air purifier, that would affect them.

Replace them, I had 2 tires this summer come apart on me. They didn't blow out, the tread just separated and bent up both my fenders. They were dry rotted to so I asume that's why they came apart.

(Message edited by spherren on November 19, 2008)

If your trailer ever "hops" or if you feel vibrations like an out of balance tire you may be on the verge of a blowout. I was able to sense my last two failures 10 miles before they finally gave out. I know enough now to stop and look at the tires if I feel any wobbles. The vibration will often be more noticeable at lower speeds 30 to 45mph.

I've had two blowouts, and one scared the crap out of me. One of them sent the trailer sideways at highway speeds. These were on single axle trailers though, so with a double axle the effect should nto be so bad.