Question: Duckboat tires....Studded vs. Not?

[Hunt'nFish]

Question: Duckboat tires....Studded vs. Not?
Your thoughts?

My thoughts......
Thinking it's a good idea. Duck hunting can be a cold frozen or frosty affair at times.
And this weekends forcast has me pondering the thought.
As most of you know, heavy things tend to want to stay in motion. I think this may even be a Newtonian Law.
Yep, pretty sure it is.

Drag chains are at times required for trailers. I'm not about to put chains on a boat trailer at 0'Dark:30.
Nor am I keen about them tearing off my fenders.
Kinda thinking an extra set of winter studded tires for the boat trailer might just keep my investment safer and me & my duck brothers safer.
Anyone have any 14" 210 studded tires laying around??
Perferably on galv 5 hole 4.25" rims?
Hunt'nFish

[baltz526]

if you fit the chains and double the rubber retainers yor fenders are safe.

[cwh]

Never tried it on a trailer, but I think studs would be a good deal for ice. I did once swing a trailer across both lanes of a highway while trying to pull into a driveway. I was lucky there was no traffic, and it's not a stunt I want to repeat.

[QH's Paw]

Well, I know a guy who runs them on his "duckbomber" trailer. He can tell you a story why he runs them. What I mean is, there was a time he didn't.
So Todd, chime in here.
I do know we have never had the trailer pass us on icy or frosty roads.

[Bobberman]

FWIW ,drag chains are only required on axles with brakes

[duckboy]

I Guess I should share my story,
Back about 2003/4 later in the duck season. I was pulling my 1st duckboat (bout a 15 footer) behind my new diesel F250.. going west on hwy 30 over the bridge above Mary's creek. My buddy John was next to me, My Black duckhound (Alex) in the ext cab crashed out asleep.
I went to slow the rig a little bit and as I did, saw my boat slide up alongside my truck (jacknifed position) while we were going appx 50.

the boat hit the high cement walkway and flipped (along with the trailer.
all was in slow motion (john and I each said "Ohno..." at the same time and we were totally spun around and finally bounced and stopped (full 180*) with an upside down boat on a trailer (also upside down) gear all over the place. and dark driving rain to greet us as we scrambled to get the boat back upright and the trailer back in tow on the ball...

Alex slept through the whole thing... but we never got out to hunt that morning...

Was 25k damage to my new rig, and a boat that was bent and customized... but we still got out and hunted the very next day in her.

Another time I went up around the big swooper turn as you cross the astoria megler bridge,, saw my sled boat just about wrap itself right off the far side of the road...

So, yes, I run studded trailer tires... so when I hit the brakes, the boat stays behind me instead of wrapping around me...
learn from my mistakes...

[redfish89]

Go with studs. In the off season, you can get them for real cheap. Especially trailer size. Also, Ask your local tire company. Sometimes they have good sets of used studded tires.

[No Fences]

Might also look at craigslist, if you haven't already.

[adobe wall]

The frozen fog or black ice or whatever that stuff is out here that can happen on otherwise dry nights is sure scary. I've slid a few times (not with the boat). I can tell you that I had a small trailer full of all the stuff I didn't want to damage start fishtailing due to a light dusting of snow. Turned into a tail wagging the dog situation and I ended up in the median, trailer was torn to bits. Every firearm I owned was in that trailer, plus my brand new Zanotti safe (the safe comes apart, so the guns weren't in it).

Studs on a duckboat trailer? Yep, if you can get your hands on them. I'd prefer them over chains because they're always there.

jmho, aw

[Keeper]

Great thread! I know my driver is very experienced but as we hit the streets on slippery mornings; I still worry about the boat passing us. It's tough to change the ways of someone who has been hunting his whole life but I showed him this thread.

[Hunt'nFish]

Ok, I've read enough. Sure seems that the concensus is "Yer darned right, they'll help!"

Todd, man all I can say is WOW. Glad you guys were ok. The morning from hell is right!

Having grown up in E.O., it takes a lot to spook me and I'm sure I'd be just fine being careful......BUT,
for the $$ it just seems like good insurance.
Man I would just cry if I had something like Todd's morning happen.

If someone happens to see a couple 210 70R14's please let me know.
Hunt'nFish

[No Fences]

Just did a brief search on CL and found quite a few studded tires for sale. Not the exact size you posted but close. Some 185 and 205's out there. I think it'd be worth the time to investigate.

[duckboy]

I still have 2 more of the studded tires which fit on my trailer rims , Make me an offer and I'll sell em to you... they are not brand spankin new... but most of the studs are still in, and the rubber is good...

I believe they are for 15 inch rims.. I can check if anyone is looking to buy some.

[cwh]

The trailer I pulled my stunt with had all of my worldly belongings minus handguns and ammo. I'm glad it turned out the way it did, and a few hundred dollars in tires would have been a good investment. Trailer brakes can be tricky on ice...

[Hunt'nFish]

Chris, Glad it turned out ok.
I can only imagine the drive up over the Alcan in December!

Todd, got a lead on a set, but will get in touch if these don't work.
Hunt'nFish

[ogrejager]

Originally Posted by Hunt'nFish

Chris, Glad it turned out ok.
I can only imagine the drive up over the Elcan in December!

"Alcan" as in "Alaska-Canada."

[Hunt'nFish]

Yea, that one.....

[ogrejager]

Yeah, the Elcan is in Mexico, I think.