Will Upgrading from 12 Inch to 13 Inch Wheel and Tire Reduce Wear on Bearings

Updated 04/13/2022 | Published 04/09/2022

Question:

Would going from a 12 to a 13” rim reduce bearing wear. My daughter is moving cross country just thinking about breakdowns. Trailer is a 4 x 6 enclosed came with 12” tire

asked by: Jim M

Expert Reply:

Since a larger diameter wheel and tire would spin slower at the same MPH than a smaller diameter wheel and tire yes, in theory the larger diameter would result in less wear on the bearings. However, we don't see smaller setups wear out at a noticeably faster rate than larger diameter setups.

As long as you have enough clearance, it won't hurt to switch to the Karrier ST175/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire with 13" White Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range D # AM31985. If you currently have a bias tire or a low speed rating on your 12" tires this would definitely be a good option. The tire has a speed rating of M for 81 mph and a maximum load of 1,650 lbs at 70 psi. It also comes with a 5-year warranty on the tire and a 1-year worry-free guarantee. If within the first 12 months the tire is damaged in any way, it will be replaced at no charge.

This tire has a section width of 7" and an outer diameter of 24.1". You want at least 3" of clearance on the top of the tire and 2" on the inside. I'm not sure what the exact size of your 12" tire is now but you're going to lose at least 1" of clearance on top, perhaps closer to 2". You would potentially be losing 1" in the inside as well. I recommend measuring to be sure.

expert reply by: Robin H