WillI I Notice a Difference if I Replace 145/80-12 Sized Tires with 205/65-10 Sized Tires

Question:

my new snowmobile trailer came with ST145/r12e tires. I have always used 20.5x8x10e tires in past years.....my trips are 250 miles one way. What can I expect in changing back to the 20.5x8x10e... regarding: lower profile?.....handling?....towing ease? I would prefer a lower stance for the wind resistance. Will I notice the differance? towing weight is aprox 2500lbs....which two sizes would you recommend?

asked by: Jim

Expert Reply:

You likely aren't going to notice any difference at all. A 145/R12 tire, like part # AM10140, is around 21.3 inches in diameter and a 20.5x8-10, or a 205/65-10 to use the current sizing, around 20.5 inches. So your current tires are less than an inch taller which isn't going to make enough of an impact on your wind resistance.

With that being said, if you do replace your current tires with the smaller size, like our part # AM3H490, you will have a wider tire by about 2.5 inches or so. This could make an impact on traction in the snow. However, when it comes to traction the tread depth plays a bigger factor. So if you're worried about traction in snow (since it is a snowmobile trailer) ths is what I would look for. Although, if traction isn't normally an issue for you a skinnier tire is better for carrying a load because of the straight downward force from a loaded trailer. Also, if you go to a wider tire you need to make sure you have at least an inch or two of clearance between the tire's sidewall and any part of the trailer.

expert reply by: Charles S