So, my 64 Monza vert was bought as a very incomplete project....a lot of the mechanicals were done including 5 new Maxxis 185/13s mounted and balanced on freshly sandblasted powder coated stock rims. So tires were taken care of. After a year and a half I put the car on the road in July and with almost zero miles the right rear picked up a pointed chunk of wood in the sidewall....bummer. I need to buy a single for a spare and was thinking about a trailer tire since it would only ever be used very temporary if at all. Obviously I'm trying to save a buck but am I crazy? We live in a donut world and I can only remember using one once...this is why I'm thinking it's a reasonable place to "go cheap". Thoughts?

I wouldn't do it. I like having a tire I can keep going with after I change it.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 114 Corvairs and counting...

Agree with full size spare.

No to trailer tire.

Do not recommend a donut tire, either. Basically good for 50 mph / 50 miles according to AAA. I cringe every time someone passes me on the freeway with a donut tire on the car.

Many years ago in the middle of nowhere Nevada, a guy was putting a donut tire on his car to finish driving to CA. Sunday, no open tire shop around. I made sure I got on the highway first.

I would not use a donut on Vair under any circumstances, and I guess I'll be tracking down a single Maxxis 185 80R 13. I am sure I'll be glad I did

I usually have a somewhat crappy tire for a spare. I suppose it would be different if going on a long trip. A good spare is a good idea I suppose. I've got about 20 tires to choose from so that might be a factor.

Jim Brandberg
Isanti, MN
CorvairRepair.com

That would normally be my method, if I had any tires on hand.... This car is my return to vairs after a 20 plus year hiatus. Thanks for your input

I asked a manager at a tire store years ago what the difference was between a car tire and a trailer tire. He said that the trailer tires didn't have the side traction that a car tire did? I guess this would be could in a multiple axle trailer when you are making a corner. It would not be good in a car if you took a corner very fast.

RJ tools
Salem,Oregon

First off, Typical trailer tires are Bias-Ply, not radials.
They are designed as Rex said, to follow, not be Powered, or encounter cornering forces.
They are designed for entirely different uses.
And from my own personal trailer experience, Trailer tires are not built to equal standards as car/truck tires.
Most trailer tires are extremely POOR quality.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use a trailer tire on a vehicle ! ! !

Side note: If your trailer has Carlisle tires on it, I would HIGHLY recommend swapping them out!

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
WA. state, 1 mile south of the Canadian border, I am not at the end of the world, but you can see it from here.

Mel is right. There are a lot of junk trailer tires out there but there are also good ones. They cost as much or more than car tires.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 114 Corvairs and counting...

I have been running radial trailer tires on my tow dolly for more than 10 years. The bias tires that came with it didn't make the first trip across the country. All my friends with 5th wheel and pull behind campers all use radial trailer as well. Bias trailer tires are disappearing except for small utility and boat trailers

J.O.

65 Corsa Turbo Vert
79 Honda XL 500S
69 Honda CL 160 D
2010 BMW F 650 GS
2003 Bounder 36D
2013 KIA Optima SX turbo-AKA ZIPPY (wife,s car)
69 Newport Holiday Sailboat
Baja 150 dune buggy cart
Coleman HS 500 UTV
2016 KIA Sorento SXL Turbo

Bethlehem,Pa

Buy 2 new tires on install on car .Use the 'old' as a spare

solo2r Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Buy 2 new tires on install on car .Use the 'old' as a spare


I think this is the best advice, and i agree.

Corventure Dave

solo2r Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Buy 2 new tires on install on car .Use the 'old' as a spare

Makes sense on tires with significant miles.

OP stated tires have almost zero miles, so one tire should be fine.

RobertC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> solo2r Wrote:
> -------------------------------------------------------
> > Buy 2 new tires on install on car .Use the 'old' as a spare
>
> Makes sense on tires with significant miles.
>
> OP stated tires have almost zero miles, so one tire should be fine.

Yeah, but he hasn't mentioned how many DOT years he has on them , unless I missed it.

J.O.

65 Corsa Turbo Vert
79 Honda XL 500S
69 Honda CL 160 D
2010 BMW F 650 GS
2003 Bounder 36D
2013 KIA Optima SX turbo-AKA ZIPPY (wife,s car)
69 Newport Holiday Sailboat
Baja 150 dune buggy cart
Coleman HS 500 UTV
2016 KIA Sorento SXL Turbo

Bethlehem,Pa

jjohnsonjo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> RobertC Wrote:
> -------------------------------------------------------
> > solo2r Wrote:
> > -------------------------------------------------------
> > > Buy 2 new tires on install on car .Use the 'old' as a spare
> >
> > Makes sense on tires with significant miles.
> >
> > OP stated tires have almost zero miles, so one tire should be fine.
>
> Yeah, but he hasn't mentioned how many DOT years he has on them , unless I missed it.

No, he did not.

But, if that was the case then he would need 5 tires.

Maxxis MA1 185/80R-13 Whitewall Tires are still available individually, in pairs, and in sets of four if desired.

Here is a current flea bay listing for a set of four for $447.84 including shipping. ($111.96 ea.) Seller "Simple Tire"

[www.ebay.com]

Another current listing for a pair for $223.92 including shipping. ($111.96 ea.) Seller "Simple Tire"

[9cAAOSwSkhdKOnk" rel="nofollow">www.ebay.com]

Another current listing for individual tires for $111.96 including shipping. Seller "Simple Tire"
[-0AAOSwNP5dKOne" rel="nofollow">www.ebay.com]

Another current listing for a pair for $244.00 including shipping. ($122.00 ea.)

[www.ebay.com]

1962 95 F.C. Van
1964 Greenbrier Deluxe
1965 Monza Coupe
1965 Monza Convertible
Westminster, Maryland

MID ENG enthusiast &
prior Kelmark owner.

No trailer tire, ever.

They are not designed for the dynamic loads that cars put on tires, differently than trailers.

Eric
(Former Quality Engineer for a major tire company)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/23/2021 05:47AM by isucorvair.

I placed an order yesterday,thanks everyone

FYI everybody....Maxxis 185/80r 13s still available on Walmart.com $97 and change each free shipping(took 2 days) plus tax