Can Trailer Tires Be Changed From 15 Inch To 16 Inch If Trailer Has Frame Clearance Issues

Updated 06/01/2010 | Published 05/29/2010

Products Featured in This Question

Karrier ST235/85R16 Radial Trailer Tire with 16" White Wheel - 6 on 5-1/2 - Load Range E

(1556)

$281.70

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

(1556)

$195.03

Question:

I want to convert my trailer wheels and tires from 225R - 75-15 with a 6 on 5 1/5 P.P.to the same spec. as a 16. The reason for doing this is to step up to the Americana Tire rated @ 3600 lbs.Your part # for the wheel/tire combo is AM32764. What is the offset of the wheel and will it be the same as my stock 15 steel wheel is it an industry standard? I have a close tolerance from the tire to the trailer.

asked by: Nick

Expert Reply:

The standard offset for trailer wheels is zero to keep the load on the trailer centered on the tire. The Karrier ST235/85R16 Radial Trailer Tire with 16 inch White Wheel - 6 on 5-1/2 - Load Range E, item # AM32764, comes with a 0 inch offset wheel, is 235 millimeters wide and has an overall height of 31.61 inches. Your 225R-75-15 is approximately 28.3 inches in height and will be 10 millimeters, .39 inches, thinner than the ST235/85R16 Radial Trailer Tire.

I would recommend staying with a thinner ST225/75R15 radial trailer tire, like the Karrier ST225/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire with 15 inch White Wheel - 6 on 5-1/2 - Load Range D, item # AM32664, if you are having trouble with the tolerance between the trailer and the tire.

If you are looking for the weight capacity of a 16 inch load range E wheel and tire and the 10 millimeter extra width and 3.31 inches extra height will not be a problem then the # AM32764, wheel and tire would be a good choice.

expert reply by: Robert G