Minimum tire/wheel size for utility trailer

[chuckularone]

I've been poking around and can't find a reference. Does anyone have a recommended tire/wheel size for a utility trailer. I will be dragging it from Delaware to Las Vegas to The Playa next year. I want something that will handle the load and the distance.

I currently have a 4'x8' Harbor Freight trailer with 12" wheels. No, I don't intend to tow that to the playa, let alone more than 20 miles at a time. I'm trying to figure out what I need to buy.

Thanks

[Elliot]

No expert, but.... Trailers are generally rated by the weight-carrying capacity of the axles. The axle(s) will have matching springs, as well as matching tires.

I'm thinking you want to estimate the weight and volume of your load, and buy a trailer to suit that, plus plenty extra capacity in reserve.

Generally, I prefer a trailer with two axles, because it is more stable, specially when one tire goes flat.

You want a very common tire size, so you can easily find replacements while on the road. Mine are ST205/75R14, where ST means that the tire is intended specifically for use on trailers, 205 is the width of the tire, 75 is the height of the tire in percentage of the width, R means radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter.

You should have at least one spare.

A spare set of wheel bearings is also a good idea.

And I use "bearing buddy" grease attachments. Have the trailer salesman show you.

[ygmir]

the taller the tire, the better. and heavy duty.
That said, it will effect trailer deck height if you run the tires under a flat bed. If you use fenders, you can use a drop axle but that takes some clearance for width of load out.
I'd say, for all around, a 15" rim will give you many choices, and along with that best prices.
You're expected load will also affect your options. 16" rims can take a much stronger tire.
And, the taller the tire, the slower it spins and will develop less heat accordingly. Heat also comes from flex from bouncing, so stiffer sidewalls are good, and or not approaching the max load per tire.

[chuckularone]

Thank you both! That is precisely the information I was looking for. I had a itch in the back of my brain that 12" wheels were "BAD" but no data. Faster spin, more heat. Yup bad.

[Meat Hunter]

My preference has always been 15" tires. But, 14" was my only choice, I would go with it.

13' is so small.

I am unable to calculate it, but you can just imagine how many more times the tires and bearing on a 13" are going to have to turn around per mile than would a 15" tire.

I am sure that someone on the forum will be able to calculate it for you. It has to be a substantial number.

[ygmir]

My preference has always been 15" tires. But, 14" was my only choice, I would go with it.

13' is so small.

I am unable to calculate it, but you can just imagine how many more times the tires and bearing on a 13" are going to have to turn around per mile than would a 15" tire.

I am sure that someone on the forum will be able to calculate it for you. It has to be a substantial number.

** inches** 63360/C[Pi*d]= revolutions per mile

[FIGJAM]

Ran into this very thing when I built the playapod.

I thought I could get tires that would handle any weight I wanted, so I built my wheel wells without knowing some very important facts.

So now I have a 3500 pound axel, but can only fit tires that will handle 2700 pounds total vehicle weight.

The tires are 195/60/15s and each can only handle 1350 pounds.

Bigger 15" tires can carry much more than that, but won't fit in my wheel wells without major mods.

My understanding is that the physics of the air heating up determines how big the tire HAS to be to carry a given weight.

[ygmir]

Ran into this very thing when I built the playapod.

I thought I could get tires that would handle any weight I wanted, so I built my wheel wells without knowing some very important facts.

So now I have a 3500 pound axel, but can only fit tires that will handle 2700 pounds total vehicle weight.

The tires are 195/60/15s and each can only handle 1350 pounds.

Bigger 15" tires can carry much more than that, but won't fit in my wheel wells without major mods.

My understanding is that the physics of the air heating up determines how big the tire HAS to be to carry a given weight.

you might try dropping to the 14.5" tires and rims. They are trailer specific, and I think can be had in very heavy ply rating.

[Elliot]

...

you might try dropping to the 14.5" tires and rims. They are trailer specific, and I think can be had in very heavy ply rating.

You rang?
I have a pair of those, practically new, on rims. They are rated for 2790 pounds each. Diameter is about 27 inches. We can talk by e-mail.

[FIGJAM]

That's the trouble.

My tires are 24"s, and since I didn't pay attention during the build I only have a 2" clearance between the top of the tire and the wheel well.

It's fine for most purposes, but if I fold everything up and use it for cargo, I'll have to be very weight conscious cause I can't put bigger tires on it as is.

[ygmir]

well yeah,FJ, but you might be able to find a smaller OD 14.5" tire, just as heavy.

[ygmir]

can you raise the shackles on your trailer to get more clearance?

[FIGJAM]

That's a good possible solution.

[maladroit]

I have the Horror Fright trailer as well.

In the past 14 months, I've towed it fully loaded during two 2000+ mile moves, one 900 mile round trip to the playa, and one 1500 mile round trip to the playa.

I keep the bearings greased and check them at every stop, neither the tires or bearings have been warm. I do have a spare tire though I haven't needed it.

The only casualty so far has been a broken leaf spring.

Will you have the same luck? I don't know. I can't make you not be nervous about it, and peace of mind during the frenzy of playa prep is worth a hell of a lot. But in my experience, the trailer's not going to fall apart.

[SnowBlind]

I have a HF trailer too, and like Maladroit I've had no issue with it.

The reason I bought it over another trailer is that I don't have room to store it, and HF has two models that fold up, so you can stow them in the garage. They have models with 8" and 12" wheels. I've seen someone on the Playa with the 8", and I believe they had issue coming up to BRC. I have the 12" wheels, which compared to everything else in this thread sounds puny.

But I've had mine out to four(?) burns now, and I've had zero issues. I've also checked the bearings every time I stopped, and they didn't seem overly warm. I am, however, careful not to overload it. The folding model has a rated capacity of 1200 lbs, (~1700 for the non folding IIRC) and I probably carry less than 800 to BM on the trailer. So far it has served me well.

[Elliot]

Hmmmmmm.... I have a Harbor Freight folding trailer with a broken tongue from hauling a golf cart. So definitely only for light loads. (That said, I have no idea what a golf cart weighs, or other circumstances of the collapse.)

[ranger magnum]

Bias ply tires hold more weight, but radials dissipate heat better.

When tires fail, typically radials will fly apart. Bias ply will hold together better.

As was said before, it is best to get tires meant for trailers. This is primarily due to multiple axle trailers exerting tremendous strain on the sidewalk of the tire.

14" tires will be more than adequate. Also, your tires will age out before they wear out.

I am CEO of a tire manufacturing company, so if you have any questions pm me.

[nixiebunny]

Your question is missing a very important number: the number of pounds of stuff you want to haul with that trailer.

I'm quite happy with the new 13" wheels and radial tires on my popup trailer, which also has a new 3500 lb axle. the trailer loaded is about 1800 lbs. Safety factor FTW!

[GreyCoyote]

Chuck: what is your tow vehicle?

(And how many tamales can you carry?. Hehehe)

[AntiM]

MyLarry CAT scaled our truck and trailer this year. Yikes we carry a lot of crap.

[EspressoDude]

Most of the highway truck scales in Oregon are not manned, but they leave the digital scales on, so you can drive over them slowly and do it yourself. We are usually slightly over gawr (gross axle weight rating) on the RV and ok on the trailer.

rated RV gawr 5000 front, 9500 rear; trailer 3500.
scale to event 4500, 11300; 2700
scale from 4400, 10850; 2600

[chuckularone]

Chuck: what is your tow vehicle?
(And how many tamales can you carry?. Hehehe)

It doesn't exist yet. I am still shopping for that (as I am with the trailer).

[Elliot]

I scaled Millicent this year:

Legal max: 12,000, 19,000, 3,000.

To BRC: 10,440, 17,380, 2,360.

Coming back: 9,980, 18,280, 3,980. Total 32,240.

[chuckularone]

Those number lead me to believe you brought home way more bikes than you brought out!

[Elliot]

Those number lead me to believe you brought home way more bikes than you brought out!

43. And a dozen rugs too. And 15 folding chairs, and.... It's amazing what people don't want to take with them.

Anyway.... If a Burner can use these 8 - 14.5 Load Range F tires, they are "free to good home". The bolt circle is 6 on 5 1/2. They have only a couple hundred miles on them. They are several years old, but I'm keeping them out of the sun.