Trailer tires...proper size??

[CapitanCortez]

I just bought a 19' bay boat and the trailer had truck tires and rims on it. They ride fine, a little bouncy but nothing serious. The guy gave me a spare and it's an actual trailer tire and rim, 205 75 D15, and I was wondering if this is the correct size and load range for the trailer. I was going to replace the truck tires with tires the same size as the spare. Is there anywhere I could find out which size is appropriate for my trailer?? If not does anyone know if that size would work?

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Trailer tires...proper size??

Trailers aren't quite like vehicles, you don't need to worry about proper handling and gearing... The proper size tire is the one that has the right load rating and doesn't rub on the fenders. Larger tires will extend your wheel bearing life, and raise the height of the trailer up. Conversely, little tires spin like crazy, and the lower trailer might make loading/unloading easier.

All that said, if you have a capacity plate on the trailer it most likely has the tire size it came from the factory with on it.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Trailer tires...proper size??

Why spend money to match the spare when all that is for is to get you out of a bad situation. It is only a spare. When you buy a new car do you replace the doughnut spare?

 

[CapitanCortez]

Re: Trailer tires...proper size??

Obviously I don't replace the doughnut, but what I was asking was is that the proper size for the trailer?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Trailer tires...proper size??

Thalasso, if the spare has been exposed to sunlight got years, it could certainly need to be replaced. I know mine probably should be!!

CaptainCortez, as was mentioned, there really isn't a specific tire designated for your trailer. Pick your wheel size and load range and whether you want radials or bias ply. I was very pleased with the tire/wheel setups I got here: http://www.easternmarine.com/12-thru-16-Trailer-Tire-Rim-RADIAL/

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailer tires...proper size??

There definitely is a recommended tire size for any trailer. The size depends on what GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) the trailer manufacturer specifies. If the GVWR is rated 3500# (thats weight of the trailer, boat, gas, gear and stuff) then the load capacity of the tires must also be 3500 or more for the pair on a single axle trailer or for four of them if a tandem axle. It doesn't matter if the tire is on a 12, 13, 14, or 15 inch rim as long as the load rating of the tire is up to the task. So we cannot answer your question since we have no idea what the all of weight of the rig is. If the label on the trailer specifies LOAD CAPACITY rather than GVWR then whatever that load capacity number is requires adding the weight of the trailer as well when determining tire size.

 

[CapitanCortez]

Re: Trailer tires...proper size??

Thanks everyone for ur help, I took off the truck tires and replaced them with proper trailer tires with the right weight class. Again, thanks for the help...