Can A Tire Rated for 6-1/2" Wide Rims Be Used On An 8" Wide Rim?

Updated 08/12/2025 | Published 07/25/2025

Products Featured in This Question

Provider ST235/80R16 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range E

(1094)

$190.67

Karrier ST235/80R16 Radial Trailer Tire with 16" Aluminum Wheel - 8 on 6-1/2 - Load Range E

(880)

$298.06

Provider ST235/80R16 Trailer Tire with Silver Mod Wheel - 8 on 6-1/2

(1126)

$259.27

Question:

I bought a used 2022 32 14k Load Trail car hauler. The Vin plate has ST235/80R16 LRE for tire size and 16 x 8 JJ. Does that 8 stand for the width of the rim or the 8 lugs? I cant find that 8 wide rim for a trailer rim on the web. That might not be a question for you, and I should talk to Load Trail for that answer. Anyway, the trailer has two 16x6J rims and two 16x6K rims w/ ST235/80R16 G 14 Ply rated Carlisle tires. The tires state to use 6 1/2 J rim. Is it okay for these tires to be mounted on these rims? What would you recommend if I wanted to replace just two of the tires if these rims are acceptable? Sorry for the long comment/questions.

asked by: Randall B

Expert Reply:

Hi Randall!

The 16x8JJ will mean a 16" diameter rim with an 8" width. That said, this is an extremely odd size for a trailer wheel and I have not heard of that size being used before. Vehicle wheels, sure. But not trailers. With the widest our tires being able to get installed on being 7-1/2" wide, we will not have a tire to fit properly. Too wide a rim will not allow the tire to seat properly and would likely not even hold air. So you have two real options.

First, contact Load Trail and see what tires they are using and where to source said tires. It may just be something we don't carry and can be found at other vendors or even locally.

If they aren't something that can be found easily and abundantly, I would switch to a more commonly sized rim. The "J" specifies the bead seat profile, which is the shape of the rim's edge where the tire bead sits, and is a common standard. The "K" profile is much less common, but really isn't that different from the J or JJ. It is ever so slightly taller though, so mounting a tire on it will likely be slightly more difficult. I have two options for that below:

Taskmaster Provider ST235/80R16 Trailer Tire with Silver Mod Wheel - 8 on 6-1/2 # TA99VR
Karrier ST235/80R16 Radial Trailer Tire with 16" Aluminum Wheel - 8 on 6-1/2 - Load Range E # KE73JR

Both of these are the same size tire you have and 16x6, so it will be significantly easier to find replacement tires if ever needed.

Out of curiosity, what kind of car are you hauling?

expert reply by: Lazer S

Rim Bead Profiles
(click to enlarge)

Randall B.

8/12/2025

Hey Lazer, Sorry for the late response and thanks for your reply and info. My wheels are 16 x 6 even though it's shows on the vin plate 16 x 8 JJ. I'm assuming the 8 has to be for the 8 lugs. I originally bought just two tires and mounted them myself with my harbor freight tire changer and then found out one of the two I was going to use has two nice flat spots on the tire. So, I purchased two more Trailer Master tires but I haven't mounted those yet. I did have some resistance on one of the tires coming off the "K" profile rim. Your comment about the "K" profile explains why. New tire going back on wasn't an issue, although I let them sit in the sun for a while before mounting. I have a 69 Chevelle that I've been\still restoring that may ride on the trailer one day as well as a Kubota tractor. I'm the guy in my circle of friends that has a trailer that most call on for help with moving stuff. Now I have two trailers, this 32' gooseneck and a 16' bumper pull car hauler. My 2024 Ram 2500 came with a gooseneck package so I thought I should have a gooseneck trailer. I'm just a retired kid playing with his toys, mostly in the dirt.

Lazer S.

8/12/2025

@RandallB You're welcome! Took a lot of digging to find that depiction of the K profile so I'm glad it helped! I always like Chevelles. Are you doing a full restore or more of a restomod kind of thing?

Randall B.

8/12/2025

@LazerS It's a restomod. It came out of the factory with a "3 on the tree" w/AC. It now has a "4 on the floor" w/ a stock 350. I still have the front clip off and the interior needs to be totally redone.

Lazer S.

8/12/2025

@RandallB 4 on the floor is a lot easier and more efficient than 3 on the tree for sure! Bet pretty much no one else could have driven it like that though. : P Let me know if there is anything else you need! And when you finish the project. Would love to see it!