Tracker Trailer Tire Help

[Terry Heydt]

Can anyone direct me to a good online source for spare Tracker trailer tires? The tires on my 2001 Tracker trailer (PT185) are (according to the sidewall) "B78-13 ST" (these are on the chrome wheels with the triangular slots). I don't care about the wheel - just gonna be a spare. But everywhere I call says the number doesn't match anything they carry.



Really peaved at my local Tracker dealer. When I bought the new Tracker PT185 in October of 2001, I tried to get a spare included. Salesman advised he couldn't do that, BUT would throw one in at their cost. When I took delivery, they were "out of stock" on the spares; told me to come back in a week. I came back - AGAIN out of stock. Went back last year - ONCE AGAIN out of stock. Today I went back and basically told them I NEED a spare! Turns out my salesman left, they will oder the tire, but refused to honor the salesman's discount; which I even had in writing on some of my paperwork. Basically charging me almost $100 for the spare (painted wheel). Great customer relations, huh? Considering it wasn't going to "cost" them anything to make me happy (especially after all, the run-around). Sorry, turning the rant-mode off.



Any help with comparable/replacement tires and a source will be greatly appreciated. I'm gonna call BPS, I'm thinking they should stock them.

 

[JEFF WHITE]

i went to a junkyard and got a rim off a car/truck with the same size tire on it.then get a tire for the trailer and mount it on the rim.paint it any color you want.mine are 14" and ford aerostar/bronco2,ranger rims are the same bolt pattern.i got a temp spare from a bronco2 and works great.



the other thing to do is go to the local tire store and get tires from them.i went and got radials 3 yrs ago,wont go back to bias tires again.

 

[Terry Heydt]

UPDATE: Called BPS, no go. They referred me to a Tracker dealer (unfortunately no other dealers anywhere NEAR me except this one). My main problem is the numbering system. The numbering system on these tires don't correspond with standard numbering. I found a post elsewhere where someone had a "translation" for a different sized Tracker tire. But need to know a translation for the B78-13. Argh!!

 

[Jim B]

I called my buddy whgo ownes a tire shop. he said that the b78-13 a 175 / 80-13 tire. i guess they still use alphenumeric sizes on bias ply tires.

 

[Donnie Matney]

Terry check around at places that sale nothing but trailers. I went to one of those places that sells pull along trailers ect. and got one on the rim for $50. Since it is a spare just get it close in size and ect...mine is a little different but not enough to make a difference since it is a spare.



What I would do is take one off the trailer and take it to the trailer sales place. That way you can get a better match. I also found some online. I did a search on trailer tires and found a few good ones and the prices were about the same. Oh yeah if you goto a trailer place, ask them if they have any tires that do not match a set. Most places use the same tires on a axel and will have left overs (one of this brand and that brand ect) laying around that do not make a set of 2 or 4. These could be cheaper. If you have any questions let me know.



Donnie

 

[Donald Fruge]

Oh how I know your pain,



When I bought my 95 18 foot tracker, I took it two days later to lake fork. (5 hour drive). About 30 miles from the lake I noticed small pieces of rubber flying up in the rear view mirror. Dry rot.... put the spare on and went fishing. Went to a couple of the local tire dealers around lake fork and not one of them could match the tire size. Took a chance and made home on the spare.



I went to a friend of mine at a local car dealership and he set me up with some type of tire (don't remember right off) that fit but he had to order them from tim buck too.



I was at the point that I thought I would have to order the whole rim and tire from tracker. They have that in the catelog go figure.



Wolf

 

[Terry Heydt]

Thanks all! With the standard sizing info from Jim B. I located several sources (including BPS - they sell a few of varying quality/price in that size). Thanks again!

 

[Bruce Freeman]

Some people just won't help you out..Sounds like my staff to dumb or lazy to look. There are only 2 bolt patterns on trailers.. 4 lug and 5 lug.. Match that up with the b78-13 tire (which we carry at the store) and the right wheel and you have a spare.. That simple..

BF

 

[Michael Harcar]

BPS retail does not carry the right size spare, however just about every store has a Tracker/Mercury parts counter that can get you the tire. Retail on the tire I think is $129.99. If your dealer was going to get it for you for $100 that's not too bad a deal. I think cost is $94.

 

[Terry Heydt]

Mike, The $100 tire was NOT a "Tracker Marine" spare, but an "aftermarket" brand. Which was fine for my uses. Prices I'm finding now with the new info on size seem to be between $80-$90.

 

[Donnie Matney]

Terry I would really look at the on line trailer places. They sell tires and rims for about $50. These are the same ones in BP and Cabells for almost $100. They may or may not be what you need, but it's worth a shot. Use this link for the boat trailers...looks like the goodyear marathon is about $64, the carlisle is $57 (for a 175/80 13). If the link does not work the web page is boattrailertires.com



Donnie
http://shop.cedarrapidstire.com/search1.asp?cat=TRAILER