Can a 5.70-8 Tire be Replaced with a 215/60-8 Tire on a Snowmobile Trailer

Updated 03/30/2011 | Published 03/29/2011

Products Featured in This Question

Kenda 5.70-8 Bias Trailer Tire with 8" White Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range C

(7906)

$62.59

Kenda 215/60-8 Bias Trailer Tire with 8" White Wheel - 4 on 4 - Load Range C

(7906)

$84.23

Question:

Id like to replace a 5.70-8 4 on 4 set of tires and rims on my trailer with 215/60-8 tires. I have the additonal clearance for the wider tires. Will the 215/60-8 tires be safer for highway use because of less heat buildup? Weight is really an issue since it is a snowmobile trailer, but I will only be carrying about 300lbs of rafting gear on the trailer.

asked by: Hellmuth

Expert Reply:

As long as you have clearance for the additional width of the wheel and tire and for the additional height of the tire, you can use the Kenda 215/60-8 Bias Trailer Tire, item # AM3H290, which has a 7 inch wide, 8 inch diameter White Wheel, 4 on 4 inch bolt pattern, and is a Load Range C tire.

The weight capacity of the 215/60-8 load range C tire is 935 lbs at 50 psi, which is slightly higher than your 5.70-8 wheel and tire combination, so weight capacity will not be an issue.

The 216/60-8 tire will not be safer, or less safe, at highway speeds, all trailer tires are rated for speeds of 65 miles per hour or less, unless otherwise indicated. When changing tires you should start out with the trailer carefully. Increase your speed slowly at first, to determine that the different tire and wheel combination will not introduce a sway situation that could be dangerous.

To prevent heat buildup you should run trailer tires and the max PSI rating stated on the tire sidewall. The thicker sidewalls of trailer tires are susceptible to heat build up if ran at lower pressures and this will decrease the service life of the tire.

expert reply by: Robert G