Are Boat Trailer Radial Tires the Same as Truck Radial tires?

Question:

I have an old dual axle boat trailer that uses BF Goodrich 7.00 x 15 LT Load Range D bias tires. I tow with a Yukon that has 265/70R16 Load Range E tires. They both use the same 6 lug bolt pattern. Can I change the Trailer wheels and tires to match the Yukon radials so I only have to carry one spare?

asked by: Richard L

Expert Reply:

To answer your question, no; trailer tires and car/truck tires are not going to be the same and it's not recommended that you use truck tires on a boat trailer. There are times where LT (light truck) tires are used in RV applications, but generally speaking, trailer tires with the ST (special trailer) designation are designed with thicker side walls to help support the heavier vertical loads that occur when towing/hauling. A wheel/tire combo like the Loadstar ST185/80D13 Bias Trailer Tire # AM3S331 is going to have a tire with a thicker sidewall than a standard truck tire that would be found on the 265/70R16 on your GMC Yukon and is better suited to the rigors of hauling/towing.

The long and short is that you're definitely best suited to use ST tires on your boat trailer as opposed to truck tires.

expert reply by: Erik B