Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Anyone with a horse trailer knowledge here?

[Tonio600]

I've (almost) swapped my bike trailer for a horse trailer. Reason for that is I wanted more room for the bike bits and tools, a roof, and the possibility to keep the bike locked when Julie and I want to have a look and discover England around the tracks...

The trailer is great (thanks Ian) but as 2 tyres need replacing, I was thinkink about changing the current wheels (16 inches wheels, with huge tyres) for something smaller (car wheels?). I think it's possible, the stud diameter is 108mm like most Peugeot, Citroen and Ford cars. I could almost take the wheels of Julie's 306, but then she would have to kill me. So let's try and figure something else.

Any idea about that? Has anyone already done/seen that?

Cheers
Tonio

[Spen]

Nooooooo, use 7 ply trailer tyres only......

[antonye]

Shouldn't be a problem but remember that lower profile tyres give less flex and offer a harsher ride.

It may be better to keep the smaller wheels with bigger profile and more flex to give the box a smoother rider over the lumps and bumps.

But, you're not worried about changing the rolling radius (size of wheel + tyre) so as long as you can get a suitable wheel + tyre combination it should be ok.

Try ebay as a cheap source of steel wheels.

[antonye]

Originally posted by Spen
Nooooooo, use 7 ply trailer tyres only......

Why?

[Tonio600]

Cheers Antonye.

Message original : Spen
Nooooooo, use 7 ply trailer tyres only......

What does that mean? What are 7 ply?

[antonye]

Standard car tyres are usual 4 ply (layers) whereas 7 ply would suggest a re-inforced tyre.

That makes sense for towing heavy loads, like a couple of horses in a horsebox, but for towing a bike and spares you would be fine with standard car tyres.

[Tonio600]

I think so... now let's keep an eye on Ebay for a cheap set of steel wheels

[antonye]

Should be plenty of cheap steel wheels with all the boy racers changing theirs to pukka alloys, innit...

[Tonio600]

Message original : antonye
Should be plenty of cheap steel wheels with all the boy racers changing theirs to pukka alloys, innit...

Exactly what I thought

[CK]

Originally posted by antonye
Standard car tyres are usual 4 ply (layers) whereas 7 ply would suggest a re-inforced tyre.

That makes sense for towing heavy loads, like a couple of horses in a horsebox, but for towing a bike and spares you would be fine with standard car tyres.

spot on young man.

So, Tonio - if selling it on as a transport for gee-gees (dinner for you frenchies ) you would be best to put back 7 plys again.

Tho do check the weight of the trailer first before getting 4 plys mate. Might be worth a chat with Surrey's finest: Tyreman.

You do realise that you will use more fuel & take more time with a horse trailer - however ergonomically it has been made, as it will have more height and weight than a bike trailer.

C, not taking horses about any more