Bigger Tires Than What is on the Trailer?

[Steelhawk]

The tires on my dual axle trailer are ST205/75R14. I have read that a larger tire is better. How can I tell if I can put ST215 or ST225 tires on the trailer? Or even if I can go to 15 inch rims?

There is about 5 1/2 inches between the two tires and 4 inches clearance above them.

I had ordered some replacements but when I went to pick them up today I declined delivery because of a 3813 date on them.

Now I'm back to square one looking for tires.

[paz]

Bigger is not necessarily better. If you're trying to get more of a safety margin with regard to load carrying capacity, going to a higher load rating can accomplish that (assuming you're not already at the highest available rating for your size) without the hassle of worrying about a bigger size reducing clearances.

[1bigmess]

Where did you read that a larger tire was better? Do you know what your axle weights actually are, or are you starting from no info?

[tuffr2]

Usually a larger tire is better. 13", 14", 15", 16" 17.5"

In this group the 17.5 is typical the best.

Even within the same wheel size the larger tire is likely to be the better tire.

[lynnmor]

You need at least 2" above and between the tires. Looks like you are good to go with a larger size.

I use USA made LT215/75-15 Goodyear Wrangler HT's, and forget all the China Bomb nonsense. They aren't too big for your trailer.

[SmokeyWren]

My 5er came with ST205/75R15C on 5" wide rims. Barely adequate weight capacity for the GAWR of the trailer, and less than the GVWR of the trailer. After several blowouts, I went to ST225/75R15D. The bigger tires required 6" wide wheels, so I ordered t the new wheels from Southwest Wheel Company Steel and Aluminum Truck Wheels. Everything fit fine, and that was the end of my blowout problems. One minor problem was that if the trailer hit a big bump or chug hole, the top of the trailer tire would rub on the underside of the wheel well. That was no big problem, and I put about 100,000 miles on that trailer with those bigger tires on it.

My current TT came with ST205/75R14C tires. Plenty of weight capacity for the GAWR of my TT, but I felt more comfortable towing with bigger tires. Not much choice for 14" trailer tires, but ST215/75R14C was available and had more weight capacity, so I replaced the stock tires with those. Plenty of room in my wheel wells for those tires, and they didn't require replacing the wheels.

My cargo trailer also came with ST205/75R15C. I replaced those with Maxxis ST 225/75R15E and 6" wide rims. No problems, and no more tire troubles on that trailer.

Another trailer is a 16' flatbed utility trailer. I replaced the ST205/75R15C and 5' wide rims with Maxxis ST2225/75R15E on 6" wide rims.

And yep, I have a 5x10' box trailer I use to haul a golf cart or handicap scooter or quad plus a generator and other stuff. Same story. ST205/75R15C replaced with ST225/75R15D. No problems.

But WARNING: If you go to bigger trailer tires, be sure your trailer rims match the requirements for the new tires, else replace the wheels (with the correct hole pattern). And if you want to go from 15" to 16" tires, you may not find 16" rims to match the hole pattern of your trailer hubs.

[JIMNLIN]

I always sell OEM 14" tires and wheels and move up to 15" on any trailer.

One big benefit is a taller tire doesn't pound the trailer like a small diameter tire when rolling over say a RR track/etc.

You have plenty of room for 15" which gives you a much better tire selection.. Dexter says 1" between the tires and 2 3/4" at the top of the wheel well with std leaf spring suspension.

Goodyear Wrangler HT in a LT235/75-15 C (50 psi) at 1980 lb capacity. Most LT tire makers carry this size.

And a Wrangler HT in a LT215/75-15 D (65 psi) at 2090 lbs capacity.

Maxxis U-168 are a commercial grade tire with several 15" LT__ sizes and have became popular with all types of trailer owners.

Vanco 2 from Continental another popular tire for trailer users has several 15" sizes and load capacities.

I see the Yokohama RY215 in a 700R 15 D at 2040 lbs capacity is popular on some of the other RV websites.

Some of these tires are a euro size tire which is a commercial all position tire.

And of course there are a couple of dozen cheap ST tire brands to choose from that seem to work for some.