Recommended Replacement Tire For 16-Ft Tandem Utility Trailer

Updated 08/25/2024 | Published 09/17/2016

Question:

Can you tell about what tire size I would want to consider on my 16foot tandem utility trailer. I use it to haul wood that I have cut. I put some pretty big pieces on it and I know it is a heavy load. I currently have ST 205/75D 15s on it and its a 1992 Midwest 16foot tandem utility trailer. I bought it used and need to replace them. I havent loaded it to the max, yet. Specifically I wanted to know if I could replace the 205s with a 225 tire. I am concerned about clearance and not wanting the tires to rub the fenders or frame. I want a good tire that will work well in both, dry and wet conditions. I drive it on both, highway and off road conditions, too.

asked by: Mike T

Expert Reply:

If you plan on going to a bigger tire as you mentioned you can take a quick measurement to make sure you have the room. To go from a 205 tire to a 225 will increase the height about 1.2 inches overall. If you have fenders it will be a little over 1/2 inch closer to the inside of the fender. The width of the tire will also increase by about 3/4 inch.

For a 15 inch tire I recommend part # TTWTRTM2257515D. This is a radial load Range D tire with an 8-ply rating. It has a maximum load capacity of 2,540 lbs at 65 psi.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

Jimmy

7/27/2024

Hi Jeffrey, I am a bit of a newbie when it comes to 16" trailer and load capacity. I have acquired a 16ft trailer with tandem axels. I plan on building a mobile cabin (smaller than tiny house). If a max load capacity of the 15 inch tire you recommend is 2,540 lbs, do I multiply it by 4 for a rough trailer load? I am not looking to go over 5,000 lbs towing capacity, since I have a 2016 GMC Sierra crew cab. Thanks, Jimmy

Jesse M.

7/29/2024

@Jimmy Hello Jimmy. Yes, tire capacity does combine when using four tires on a tandem axle trailer. This is not the only determining factor in trailer capacity though. So keep in mind the capacity of each axle, and the capacity of the frame. If you take a look underneath the trailer there may be a tag on the axle tube that says the axle capacity and GVWR. With two axles and four tires I imagine 5,000 lbs will be well under the max capacity so you should be good.

Jimmy

8/25/2024

@JesseM thank you.