Available Trailer Tire Load Ranges to Reduce Chances for Heat-Related Blowouts

Updated 07/11/2017 | Published 07/10/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Provider ST205/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire w/ 15" Vesper Silver Mod Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - LR D

(501)

$196.71

Question:

I have a new Grey Wolf 27RR and want to change the 5-lug brake hubs to 6-lug brake hubs. These are 3500lb axles with 10inch drums and the axle part number is V000163633. Is there a 6-lug brake drum that would fit this? The reason is to add 16inch wheels so I can go to a 14-ply tire to reduce the chance of blow-outs. Unless someone makes a 14-ply in a 15inch wheel size...?

asked by: Gabriel

Helpful Expert Reply:

You may be able to increase the load capacity of your trailer tires to reduce the chance of blowouts, or simply to add safety margin, without necessarily having to change hub/wheel/tire sizes. Larger tires can mean clearance issues within the wheel wells and will also raise the trailer's center of gravity which typically deteriorates its handling to some degree. A higher Load Range tire can add safety margin without creating other issues like size/clearance compatibility.

Please tell me the size and the load range rating of the tires on your trailer (I could not find this in the online specs). These ratings appear on the tire sidewall as in, for example, part # MX97FR, which is a size ST205/75R15 tire in Load Range D on a 5-on-4-1/2 bolt pattern 15-inch wheel. This wheel/tire is rated for 2150-lbs at its 65-psi pressure. Four of these would have a total capacity of 8600-lbs, well above the trailer's GVWR of 7934-lbs.

Also note that the main cause for a trailer tire blowout it heat. Excess heat in a trailer tire can arise from incorrect inflation pressure (too high or too low), driving faster than the tire's rated speed or by overloading it with more weight than it is rated to handle. If you avoid these pitfalls you are most of the way to avoiding heat-related blowout issues.

Please have a look at the linked articles on trailer tires and feel free to tell me your tire information.

expert reply by: Adam R