Can 7-14.5 Tires Be Upgraded to 8-14.5 Tires for Utility Trailer

Updated 04/21/2025 | Published 09/27/2023

Question:

I have a homemade 5 foot x 8 foot open trailer with 7-14.5 mobil home tires and wheels. Can I mount a 8-14.5 mobil home tire and wheel assembly on that axle? is the mount the same? I have plenty of height clearance and a 1 inch side fender clearance with the 7-14.5 tire and wheel assembly now.

asked by: Foster L

Expert Reply:

The 8-14.5 tires will be 1" wider than your current 7-14.5 tires so you'll be losing 1/2" of sidewall clearance to your fender. I recommend having at least 1" of clearance to the sidewall so it would be best to stick with 7-14.5 tires for your application.

If you do end up going with the 8-14.5 tires you'll want to use the same wheels you currently have because those wheels are pretty unique to the 5-Spoke Utility Hub # 8-174-5UC3 your trailer uses.

expert reply by: Jon G

Utility Trailer with Mobile Home Axle
(click to enlarge)

7-14.5 Tires on 5-Spoke Utility Trailer Hub
(click to enlarge)

Roger

4/20/2025

I have bunk type boat trailer 2 axles and 4 wheels 5 spoke style mobile home tires are size 7-14.5...... and I need to replace 2 of them. Has no fenders. I found 2 rims with size 8-14.5 tires used to suit my purpose as trailer is used primarily as a yard trailer and very little over the road use. My understanding is the 8-14.5 are an inch wider than my existing 7-14.5 tires. Question is are the same looking 5 spoke rims also an inch wider or are rims the same width or are the rims also an inch wider cuz the 8-14.5 tires are mounted on the rims or the 2 rims same as the other rims but have wider tires......And if the rims are an inch wider than my existing rims will they bolt up the same and work out for my purpose??

Jon G.

4/21/2025

@Roger Since the rims are both 14.5" they will be the same dimensions. The only difference is the tire width itself. It's best practice to have all of your trailer tires the same size, but if you rarely take it on the road, then it's really just up to you how you want to configure everything.