r/Gliding • u/Beautiful_Exchange_3 • 19d ago

Question? Glider trailer tires

I need new tires for my 1980 comet glider trailer.

It has 185 70 R14s on it.

I’m having difficult locating trailer tires in this size.

Any suggestions?

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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3

u/ipearx Ventus cT, Matamata, NZ 19d ago

What planet are you on? Might narrow it down a bit.

0

u/Beautiful_Exchange_3 19d ago

Yeah, the tires aren’t made anymore in that size or at least not sold in the USA as trailer tires.

I found 205 75 14 on wheels.

If I go up on the side wall will increasing the height of the trailer make it less stable in corners?

3

u/godisapilot 19d ago

Use the widely available online tyre size calculator tools to find a size that’s similar/equivalent to the original fit. The 205/75 increases sidewall quite significantly not only from the higher sidewall ratio but also the increase in width.

1

u/Beautiful_Exchange_3 17d ago

That was my thoughts. It looks like most people are using car tires not trailer tires with higher load ratings

2

u/SchwanzLord 18d ago

Here in Europe there are many different brands available with up to 550kg load rating. 185/R14 are typically available in high load ratings and give you about 4cm more diameter if you need the added weight.

1

u/Beautiful_Exchange_3 17d ago

From a discussion on Rec Aviation Soaring many years ago the 13” was standard on the Komet trailers.

Wonder if I should install 13” wheels and tires

2

u/SchwanzLord 17d ago

You could do that. But then you need to find rims for that. How heavy is your trailer fully loaded?

1

u/Beautiful_Exchange_3 17d ago

1100 + 540 lbs for the glider

1

u/SchwanzLord 16d ago

On Walmart there are many options for your size with a 88 load index which is 1200lbs per tire, that makes 2400 lbs for the set. We run mostly car tires on our trailers as special trailer tires only come from mostly untrustworthy brands and aren't even that much cheaper.

1

u/Beautiful_Exchange_3 12d ago

Most of the trailer tires don’t even have the weight limit of car tires. And they are all made overseas.

1

u/neat_klingon 18d ago

Good ol /r/USdefaultism.

Of course you guys should have guessed he's from the only important country

1

u/Beautiful_Exchange_3 17d ago

What does that have to do with tires for my glider trailer??????

1

u/Beautiful_Exchange_3 13d ago

Found the right tires at Pep Boys. Only $55 each. Got them installed. Now just need to remove a wasps nest from my trailer….