Should I Stay With 13" Wheels Or Upgrade To 14 Wheels?
Question:
I am interested in purchasing a trailer that is for sale locally. It currently has 13inch four bolt wheels and tires. The owner has no idea what the axle rating is, but I am guessing 2500 lbs. I have a sand rail I wish to town on this trailer and it weighs 1500 lbs. Question: stay with 13inch and upgrade to a D rated tire or swap out the hubs and go to a 14inch tire? Pics attached
asked by: Tony
Expert Reply:
I will start by sating that the wheels/tires on the trailer you are looking at do look kind of undersized. So you definitely can stay with a 13" set up like the Kenda Karrier ST185/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range D # AM10208 and Dexstar Steel Mini Mod Trailer Wheel - 13" x 4-1/2" Rim - 4 on 4 # AM20242, which will give you 1,660 pounds of capacity (the wheel is rated lower than the tire in this case). However, you need to have at least 3" of space from the top of the tire to the bottom of the fender, so you look to have more than enough room for a higher capacity 14" wheel.
The Kenda Karrier ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire w/ 14" White Spoke Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range D # AM32161 will be rated up to 2,200 pounds (at 75 psi) and has an M speed rating (81 mph). Going with something like this will require you to swap your hubs out for something with the 5 on 4-1/2 bolt pattern though. There will be 2 bearing combos that will fit this size of axle, so you will need to pull a hub off before deciding which hub is correct. If you have the # L44643 bearings, you will need the # AKIHUB-545-2-LF-1K. If you have the # L44649 bearings, you will need the # AKIHUB-545-2-LF-2K.
This will be the more expensive way to go, but I also think it will be the better way to go as well. The 5 0n 4-1/2 bolt pattern will be the most common one out there and the larger tire size will lend itself to better handling while towing.
Products Referenced in This Question
Trailer Idler Hub Assembly for 2K Axles - 13" to 15" Wheels - 5 on 4-1/2 - Pre-Greased
- Trailer Hubs and Drums
- Hub
- Pre-Greased
- Standard
- L44643
- L44643
- For 2000 lbs Axles
- 1/2 Inch Stud
- 5 on 4-1/2 Inch
- 13 Inch Wheel
- 14 Inch Wheel
- 14-1/2 Inch Wheel
- 15 Inch Wheel
- etrailer
more information >
Trailer Idler Hub Assembly for 2K Axles - 13" to 15" Wheels - 5 on 4-1/2 - Pre-Greased
- Trailer Hubs and Drums
- Hub
- Pre-Greased
- Standard
- L44649
- L44649
- For 2000 lbs Axles
- 1/2 Inch Stud
- 5 on 4-1/2 Inch
- 13 Inch Wheel
- 14 Inch Wheel
- 14-1/2 Inch Wheel
- 15 Inch Wheel
- etrailer
more information >
Kenda Karrier ST185/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range D
- Trailer Tires and Wheels
- Tire Only
- Radial Tire
- Load Range D
- 185/80-13
- 13 Inch
- M - 81 mph
- Kenda
more information >
Dexstar Steel Mini Mod Trailer Wheel - 13" x 4-1/2" Rim - 4 on 4 - Black
- Trailer Tires and Wheels
- Wheel Only
- 13 Inch
- 4 on 4 Inch
- Steel Wheels - Powder Coat
- Dexstar
more information >
Karrier ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire w/ 14" White Spoke Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range D
- Trailer Tires and Wheels
- Tire with Wheel
- Radial Tire
- Load Range D
- 205/75-14
- 14 Inch
- M - 81 mph
- 5 on 4-1/2 Inch
- Steel Wheels - Powder Coat
- Kenda
more information >
Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - L44643
- Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps
- Bearings
- Standard Bearings
- 1.000 Inch I.D.
- Bearing L44643
- Race L44610
- 2000 lbs Axle
- etrailer
more information >
Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - L44649
- Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps
- Bearings
- Standard Bearings
- 1.063 Inch I.D.
- Bearing L44649
- Race L44610
- 3500 lbs Axle
- etrailer
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Loadstar ST175/80D13 Bias Trailer Tire with 13" White Wheel - 4 on 4 - Load Range C
- Trailer Tires and Wheels
- Tire with Wheel
- Bias Ply Tire
- Load Range C
- 175/80-13
- 13 Inch
- M - 81 mph
- 4 on 4 Inch
- Steel Wheels - Powder Coat
- Kenda
more information >
Continue Researching
- Shop: Loadstar ST175/80D13 Bias Trailer Tire with 13" White Wheel - 4 on 4 - Load Range C
- Article: Trailer Tire Sizing
- Q&A: Replacement 175/80R13 Tire Recommendation for a Coleman Pop Up Camper
- Q&A: Is There A Maximum Speed Rating For A Trailer Axle?
- Q&A: How to Upgrade Trailer with 45 MPH Speed Rating for Highway Speeds
- Q&A: Width of Trailer Axle e25GR With Kenda Tire & Wheel AM30790
- Article: How to Tell the Weight Rating of a Trailer Axle
- Q&A: What Size Trailer Tires Will Replace B78-13 Trailer Tires
- Q&A: Recommended Hub and 14-15 Inch Wheel and Tire for Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension
- Q&A: Trailer Wheel and Tire to Replace P175/70R13 with 4 Lug Bolt Pattern
- Article: How to Measure a Trailer Axle
- Article: Parts Needed to Add Electric Drum Brakes to a Trailer
- Article: Measuring a Trailer Tire
- Article: How to Raise Your Travel Trailer Height
- Article: Replacing the Bearing, Races and Seals on a Trailer Hub