Choosing Bigger Tires to Increase Trailer Ground Clearance

Updated 02/28/2025 | Published 01/24/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Karrier ST225/75R15 Radial Tire with 15" White Spoke Wheel - 6 on 5-1/2" - Load Range E

(1440)

$213.36

Kenda Karrier ST235/85R16 Radial Trailer Tire with 16" Black Mod Wheel - 6 on 5-1/2 - LR E

(2635)

$292.28

Tandem-Axle Trailer Hanger Kit for Double Eye Springs - 3-1/4" Tall Front/Center/Rear

(662)

$92.72

Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit

(742)

$73.54

Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit

(742)

$81.67

Question:

Hi - I am looking to lift my camper 3900 lbs dry weight up about two inches for better ground clearance and the only way is to increase the tire height. I run 225/75R-15s on it now. Is there an acceptable alternative tire I can use to increase the height ? Many thanks!

asked by: Brett P

Expert Reply:

It depends on how much clearance you currently have around your wheels. Ideally, you should have 3 inches minimum clearance between your fender and your wheels and an inch minimum between your sidewall and trailer frame/wall. As your wheel size increases, your clearance decreases so please measure with that in mind.

You current tires are 225/75/R15 similar to # AM32680. As you can see, this tire has an outside diameter of 28.4". Going up two inches would bring you to a wheel and tire like # AM35010 with tire size 235/85R16. This has an outer diameter of 31.61". That will only lift your trailer by 1.6 inches by the way.

Another factor to note is bolt pattern. The wheels I suggested have bolt pattern 6 on 5-1/2". Please check the bolt pattern on your current wheels since your new ones need to match that, no matter what size they are. I attached a helpful article for figuring out your bolt pattern.

If you let me know how much fender and sidewall clearance you have and what bolt pattern your wheels are, I would be happy to make a recommendation!

If you don't have enough clearance, there are other options to lift your trailer like flipping the axles with a Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Kit part # K71-384-00 or part # K71-385-00. If you have leaf springs, you can also replace your hangers with taller ones like # APT5 to get some extra height.

expert reply by: Evangeline M

Maggie

2/28/2025

Hi! I need to raise my camper /trailer for better clearance. The jacks tend to hit bottom often. Would this dexter kit work for me? Would bigger tires also help? My camper is a 1958 traveleeze frame up restoration. So these tend to have lower clearance than newer rvs. Wish I could send photo? Thanks!

Jon G.

2/28/2025

@Maggie For an older trailer like that, your best bet is to use one of the Over-Under Kits part # K71-384-00 (2-3/8" axle) or part # K71-385-00 (3" axle). These will flip the axle and take it from sitting above your leaf springs to below your leaf springs. Technically bigger tires do increase ground clearance, but you have to get MUCH bigger tires in order to actually see a difference in height.