Can 14" Wheels on Pontoon Trailer Be Changed to 10" Wheels

Published 08/05/2022

Question:

I need to lower the trailer to get it under carport figure I can pick up enough inches with a 10 inch tire to allow me to get under a car port I am open for any other suggestions and could I even go down to an 8 inch tire? The trailer will not go on the highway we have our own launch. Thanks!

asked by: Joyce

Helpful Expert Reply:

You can potentially go down to a 10" wheel but you'll have to make sure all of the specs check out for your pontoon trailer.

For example, the Kenda 205/65-10 Bias Trailer Tire with 10" Galvanized Wheel # AM3H490 has a load range E (1,650 lbs at 90 psi), uses a 5 on 4-1/2" bolt pattern, and has a pilot hole with a 2.8" diameter. As long as the bolt pattern matches, the pilot hole is large enough, and the weight rating is at least the same weight rating as your axle (you'll double the rating since you'll have a tire on both sides of the axle) this will work well for you.

If you have brakes on your trailer then we'll need to look at a different solution as the 10" wheel will be too small to accommodate the brakes required for a 14" wheel. If you let me know why you're needing to use a smaller tire/wheel I'd be more than happy to see if we have an alternative solution for you.

expert reply by: Jon G

Joyce

8/5/2022

Jon G.

8/5/2022

Thank you for reaching back out! If you can make the Kenda 205/65-10 Bias Trailer Tire with 10" Galvanized Wheel # AM3H490 work then I'd stick with that. Even though you won't be driving on the highway your tires/wheels will still need to be strong enough to get to the launch site. This tire has an outer diameter of 20.4" so we'll divide that number in half to get 10.2". This is the height of the center of your spindle when using this tire size. You can compare this with your current 14" tire/wheel and where the center of the spindle is currently located to see how much lower your trailer will be with this tire.