Best 13 Inch Trailer Tires and Wheels for a 1500 Pound Casita Trailer

Published 09/18/2014

Question:

I have a 1500 LB casita trailer. It has new P175/80R13 tires on it. I have a 13inch wheel that I want to purchase the same tire for. The wheel came off a trailer. The bolt pattern and axle size hole are the same. Is there a difference or are all 13inch wheels the same regardless of the type of tire you put on? Will an ST tire or LT tire or passenger tire fit on the same wheel? Thanks a Bunch.

asked by: Allen B

Expert Reply:

All wheels are not created equally! And the same goes for tires. The P in front of your tire size indicates that the tires are for passenger vehicles, not trailers. This is a problem because trailer tires and vehicle tires are constructed differently. Trailer tires are built with a thicker sidewall than passenger vehicle tires to handle more vertical load. You really need to switch to ST (special trailer) tires for your trailer.

The wheel, since it came off of a trailer, will be fine for an ST175/80-13 as long as the wheel width is 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 inches wide. The width is not the overall width, it is the measurement from bead seat to bead seat. I have included a link to a video to the right that shows how the various wheel measurements are taken.

I have also included other helpful links to the right for you including ones to our 13 inch tires and wheels.

expert reply by: Michael H