Factors to Consider When Adding Larger Tires and Wheels to a Trailer

Question

Question:

I just bought a used trailer with 5.70 X 8 tires and rims on it. Can I put bigger rims and tires on the trailer? It always seems to me that these smaller tires go bad a lot more than the bigger tires do. Probably because they are not running as fast as the bigger tires do at the same speed. If I can, will it do anything to the hubs? Thanks

asked by: Rick

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

You can add larger wheels and tires to a trailer as long as you have enough room for the larger size. The main clearance issues we find when putting larger tires and wheels on a trailer is from the top of the tire to the fender and from the inside wall of the tire to the trailer wall/frame.

The next factor that you will want to consider is the bolt pattern of the wheel. If your current wheels have a 4 on 4 inch bolt pattern, then the new wheels must have a 4 on 4 inch bolt pattern as well. I have attached an FAQ article on how to determine your bolt pattern for you to check out.

Finally, you will want to keep the weight capacity in mind. Larger tires will typically have a higher weight rating. Tires with a higher weight rating will not increase the load carrying capacity of the trailer, so you will still be limited to the weight capacity of the axle. Larger wheels and tires will not have an effect on the hub as long as the bolt patterns match and you remain under the weight capacity of the axle.

If you can tell me how much clearance you have from the top of the tire to your fender, from the inside wall of the tire to the closest part of the trailer and the bolt pattern of your wheels, I would be happy to make a recommendation for you.

expert reply by: John H

1

Travis L.

6/30/2020

I have a 2012 Keystone Passport Ultralite Grand Touring which currently has st205/75R14c tires. I would like to upgrade the tire and wheel size. Would upgrading to a st225/75R15e be ok? As long as the bolt pattern matched, do you think the 1" larger wheel and tire diameter/width would fit without rubbing?

Reply

Chris R.

7/6/2020

This really comes down to how much space between the tire and fender you currently have on the trailer. Unfortunately this isn't something I can determine. We recommend having at least 4-5" of space between the top of the tire and fender to allow for suspension travel. An ST225/75R15 tire like # AM32680 will cut into your existing clearance by a little more than an inch. If you have enough space to maintain proper clearance with this change then you're good to go.

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Barry

1/21/2021

@ChrisR I am looking at upsizing a trailer 8" wheels to new 15?", that I have on am other trailer. The prospect trailer is home built, not sure of the weight capacity. The steel seems solid, no rust but it is light. I do not like small tires due to the hub speed when going 60 plus. I have seen too many go up in smoke. (not mine) There are currently now wheel fender on it. The springs are inside the axle? This has a pivoting/ tilting frame Can I safely bump up to a 15"-16" tire or should I just loo for another? The trailer is $450, negotiable. Would love to hear back from you on this.

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Jon G.

1/21/2021

@Barry That's a pretty significant change it wheel size and I really think you're going to have a hard time finding 15" tire/wheel combos that will physically fit. We recommend having at least 4" of clearance between the tire and fender for suspension travel and then at least 2" of clearance from the tire sidewall to the trailer frame. For a 15" wheel you're looking at tires with a diameter of around 27" - 28" and a width of about 8" - 9".

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See All (8) Replies to Travis L. ∨

Ty N.

7/6/2020

if the rubber of the tire is much heavier than old tires this won't compromise my hubs? Found semi trailer tires for my rims on my trailer, 17ft dual tandem axle.

Reply

Chris R.

7/9/2020

As long as the tire properly fits the wheel, you don't have to worry about any damaging effects to the hub assembly. How big of a jump in size are you looking at?

Reply

Answer 1

The biggest advantage and reason most people go with a larger trailer tire is the increased weight capacity that the larger tires offer. The larger diameter offers a negligible amount of better ride quality for the trailer since the larger the tire…

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Answer 2

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…

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Answer 3

With a few possible exceptions (large fifth wheels that use LT or Light Truck Tires), we recommended that only trailer tires be used on trailers because they have stiffer sidewalls which do a better job dealing with the vertical load tires experience…

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Answer 4

You do indeed have a 12 inch rim. When you measure the diameter of the wheel, you'll need to measure the diameter of he wheel where the tire bead meets the wheel. I've provided you a cutaway diagram of a wheel showing where the measurement…

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Answer 5

In regards to a 5.70-8 tire, the 5.70 represents the width of the tire which is 5.7" wide and the 8 represents the diameter of the wheel the tire is designed to fit which is 8" diameter. If you are needing a replacement, the Kenda K353 Bias…

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Answer 6

If the center part of the hubs on your trailer are 2-1/2 inches or smaller then tire and wheel combo #AM30120 will fit. A pilot hole can be larger than the hub center diameter if the wheel is held on to the hub with lug nuts. But if it attaches using…

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Answer 7

A 4 on 4 inch bolt pattern is measured diagonally on center. The first number indicates the number of lug holes and the second number indicates the diameter of the circle that those holes sit on. Check out the wheel bolt pattern help article that I…

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Answer 8

The pilot diameter on a wheel, like the one with part #AM30620, is the diameter of the bigger hole that is directly in the middle of the wheel. The pilot hole diameter of the wheel for the part I just measured is 2.84". I have attached a picture…

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Answer 9

You are going to need to know a few things before you will be able to know if you can go to a bigger wheel/tire combination. You will first want to determine how much clearance you have on your trailer to see if you can get fit a bigger wheel/tire.…

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Answer 10

I may have a solution for you, but I'm not aware of a 14" trailer tire existing with these specs (Load Range E and 14 ply). The highest rated 205/75r14 tire we have is the Westlake ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range D #274-000012…

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Answer 11

We don't offer airbags, like what is normally installed on a tow vehicle, for trailers. We do have jounce-style helper springs that may work for you. The Timbren Trailer Suspension Enhancement System #TTRA1702 install onto your trailer's…

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Answer 12

Both the Draw Tite hitch part #75685 and the Curt #C13043 that fit your 2017 Lexus GX 460 are really great options that would work well for what you are planning on doing. The powder coat of the Curt will last a bit longer than the Draw Tite but…

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