When is it Beneficial to Change Tire Load Range and Tire Size on Boat Trailer  

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Expert Reply:

Increasing trailer wheel/tire size is sometimes possible and can provide certain potential benefits, but a larger tire does not necessarily gain anything. If your concern is weight load capacity then you may simply need to change your tires only, to a higher Load Range rating in the same size, that can mount on your current wheels.

The worst enemy of a trailer tire is heat. Heat arises from three main causes: overloading the tire beyond its weight capacity, incorrect inflation pressure (high OR low) and driving faster than the speed the tire is rated to handle. Avoiding excess heat in your trailer tires is the best way to protect them and your boat from the potential risks from a blowout.

For instance, in your current tire size 175/80/13 we offer three different Load Ranges, B, C and D. These differ quite a bit in their weight capacity. A tire in LR B handles 1,100-lbs at 35-psi; a LR C handles 1,360-lbs at 50-psi; and a LR D can support a load of 1,610-lbs at 65-psi. If you have had a blowout, or if you just want to add safety margin to prevent one, a higher load range tire in the current size intended for your trailer is a worthwhile upgrade.

On the linked page you can see tires and wheel/tire products in this size. If you wanted to add capacity and a nice-looking aluminum wheel combo then part # AM32001HWTB from Kenda would be an excellent choice. You'll have no worries about wheel corrosion with aluminum construction and you get a cooler-running radial type tire. If you prefer a tire that can handle faster highway speeds than the usual 65-mph, then the 75-mph-rated # LHWL101 mounted on your current wheels might be all you need.

A 175/80-13 size tire, when mounted and inflated, has an overall diameter of 24-inches and a width just under 7-inches. A tire in size 205/75/14 has a diameter of almost 26-1/2-inches and a width of just over 8-inches. These increased dimensions affect your tire clearance as the suspension articulates. You need at bare minimum 3-inches clearance above the tire tread to allow for normal suspension travel, but more is naturally better. You may care to read the two linked articles that provide lots of good info on trailer tires.

Since we do not carry either of the parts you referenced, I cannot offer guidance about their interchangeability. Your trailer's VIN is the best way to inquire of E-Z Loader about the advisability of changing the tire size on your particular trailer and of the fit of their OEM parts.

expert reply by: Adam R

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