Have You Thought About Your Trailer Tires Recently?

Most people follow a pretty strict routine of tire maintenance on their cars and trucks. Monthly or quarterly tasks, like checking air pressure, rotating tires, testing alignment, and monitoring tread, can all help tires perform at their best and help you identify problems. The truth is that trailer tires need regular care, too, to help your trailer perform the job it was designed to do.

Your trailer tires have a different construction than tires for your vehicle, given that they're supposed to carry heavy loads. Although you should check the tread with the penny method, replacing tires right away if the tread doesn't come to the top of Lincoln's head, there are other factors that affect trailer tire life. Tires should actually be replaced every 3 to 4 years because the materials have a limited life span and the tires can begin to develop cracks and bulges, even if their tread still looks great. Trailer tire inflation is also really important for safely transporting your loads and maintaining the tread on your tires. Always keep the tires inflated to the maximum listed pressure on the tire. remember that you should inflate to this pressure when the tires are cold, not hot. This maintenance step keeps you safe on the road and preserves the life of your tires.

Trailer Tire and Trailer Wheel Fitment Guide

You get a flat tire on your trailer and it is shot. Fortunately you were wise enough to make sure you had a spare. You put on that spare tire on your trailer and you move on. Now you need to replace that spare trailer tire. How do figure out what size rim you need to buy? Sure, the trailer tire size is easy, but how the heck do you figure out what rim size to get?
 

Like trailer tires, rims have a series of numbers which indicate their uniqueness.

Here is an example of a trailer rim siz

e:

14 x 6   5/ 4.50

 

The first number, 14 indicates trailer rim size (14 inches), the 6 indicates the width and the 5/4.50 indicates the bolt pattern.
 

For example:

205/75R14

The "14" indicates that you need a 14" rim.

Now you need to determine the width of the rim. Keep in mind trailer wheels come in a variety of widths. Normal widths for 14 inch trailer rims are 14x5.5, and 14x6. You certainly don't want the wrong rim for the wrong tire, or the tires will wear unevenly. Learn how to read the numbers and if you need help, you can always count on us!

 

We are your source for trailer tires, rims, and everything trailer! Shop now at www.TrailerandTruckParts.com.

8 inch Trailer Wheels with the correct fitting Trailer Tires

Trailer Wheel Size	Trailer Tire Size
8x3.75	4.80x8
8x3.75	5.70x8
8x5.375	165/65-8
8x5.375	16.5x6.50-8
8x7	215/60-8
8x7	18.5x8.50-8

10 inch Trailer Wheels with the correct fitting Trailer Tires

Trailer Wheel Size	Trailer Tire Size
10x6, 10x7	205/65-10
10x6, 10x7	20.5X8.00-10

12 inch Trailer Wheels with the correct fitting Trailer Tires

Trailer Wheel Size	Trailer Tire Size
12x4, 12x4.5	4.80x12
12x4, 12x4.5	5.30x12
12x4, 12x4.5	ST145R12

13 inch Trailer Wheels with the correct fitting Trailer Tires

Trailer Wheel Size	Trailer Tire Size
13x4.5	ST155/80D13
13x4.5	165R13
13x4.5, 13x5	ST175/80D13
13x4.5, 13x5	ST175/80R13
13x4.5, 13x5	ST185/80D13

14 inch Trailer Wheels with the correct fitting Trailer Tires

Trailer Wheel Size	Trailer Tire Size
14x5.5, 14x6	ST195/75D14
14x5.5, 14x6	ST205/75D14
14x5.5, 14x6	ST205/75R14
14x5.5, 14x6	ST215/75D14
14x5.5, 14x6	ST215/75R14

15 inch Trailer Wheels with the correct fitting Trailer Tires

Trailer Wheel Size	Trailer Tire Size
15x5, 15x6	ST205/75D15
15x5, 15x6	ST205/75R15
15x6, 15x7	ST225/75D15

16 inch Trailer Wheels with the correct fitting Trailer Tires

Trailer Wheel Size	Trailer Tire Size
16x6, 16x6.5, 16x7	LT 7.50x16
16x6, 16x6.5, 16x7	ST235/80R16
16x6, 16x6.5, 16x7	ST235/85R16

17.5 inch Trailer Wheels with the correct fitting Trailer Tires

Trailer Wheel Size	Trailer Tire Size
17.5 x 6.75	ST215/75R17.5

Should I balance my trailer tires and wheels?

Legally speaking, there is no reason to balance your trailer tires and wheels. After all, no one is allowed to ride in a trailer that is being towed. Legalities aside though, balancing your trailer tires and wheels can be one of the smartest things you do.

Trailer tire assemblies are not normally balanced in the factory, meaning that it’s quite possible that your trailer is in for a bumpy ride. Every pothole and crack in the road is going to shake it to its foundation. Naturally, that means that anything inside your trailer is also going to take a beating. What what you should be especially concerned about is how that bumpy ride is going to impact the trailer tires over the long haul.

Balancing your trailer tires with the wheels of your vehicle insures less vibration and a smoother ride. Tires wear more evenly and develop less worn, flat spots. Balancing also helps prevent wear and tear on bearings and extends the life of your tires.

Although the choice is ultimately yours, many drivers claim to feel a marked difference after their trailer tires have been balanced with their wheels. And doesn’t a smooth ride sound more pleasant?