Tires - 175 vs 185?

[FlyGuy65]

Towing a Sea Ray 175 on year old Shorelander. Came with 185/80 D13 tires, but no spare. I've been able to find that size online, but not in the local stores. I am debating 1) getting a 185 online, so as to keep them all the same, 2) getting one 175 locally, so I have it for emergencies, but sticking with 185's when it's time for new tires, or 3) getting a 175 now and replacing the other 2 with 175s when the 185's wear out so as to avoid the limited supply problems later. Local ramps are 10 - 45 minutes away.

Thanks - Any insights appreciated!

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Tires - 175 vs 185?

.....I'm pretty certain that those 185/80 D13's are bias ply passenger car tires and not really suitable for trailer use. Trailer tires have heavier side walls and are prefixed with "ST".
But, if you limit your hauling to the stated local ramps, it's really no big deal, and, even if you mix a 185/80 with 175/80, neither you nor the trailer will lnow the difference (mount the 185 on the curb side)

 

[FlyGuy65]

Re: Tires - 175 vs 185?

The ones on the trailer are STs - they are the OEMs. I do need to make sure the ones online are STs, though I am looking at the 'Trailer Parts Superstore'.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Tires - 175 vs 185?

My trailer has the same tires, Karavan used them on trailers that size. I have wound up buying them at etrailer.com since I was never able to find them locally.

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Tires_and_Wheels-sf-Tire_Only-pc-13_Inch-gw-185|80~13.aspx

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Tires - 175 vs 185?

Whether you switch downward from 185's to 175's is not a matter of convenience. It is a matter of load capacity. If your trailer is currently loaded close to the maximum capacity of the 185's you may be overloading 175's and it doesn't matter if you go one block or a thousand miles -- it becomes a safety issue. The trailer manufacturer put that size tire on the trailer to meet the GVWR rating. Installing 175's lowers that GVWR.

 

[JeffAL]

Re: Tires - 175 vs 185?

My Karavan trailer came with the 185 also. I couldn't find them locally either. Note that my stock 185 tires were load range C. I found some load range D 185 tires online and bought those.