Can Taller Tires and Wheels be Put on a Pontoon Boat Trailer

Question:

I was looking to try and change my rims and tire on my Pontoon and wanted to see if it is even possible. I have a 21foot Pontoon which weighs about 2300 pounds with trailer. The existing wheels are 205/65 -10 LRC 5 bolt 5.5. Can I change to a larger tire?? The wheels are just so small at 10. I am always afraid to go faster than 65mph. Plus, the wheel bearings must get much hotter spinning so fast. Do they make a larger rim that will fir the 205/65 -10 LRC 5 bolt 5.5?? Why the design of the small fat wheels for a pontoon?? Anyway, any help on this would greatly be appreciated.

asked by: Blair E

Expert Reply:

The 5 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern is becoming increasingly rare. We have just one wheel with the 5 on 5-1/2 pattern, # TA37RR, and it is a 15 inch. That will most likely be too big of a jump from a 10 inch and you would have to replace the tires as well since a 15 inch wheel will only take a 15 inch tire like the # AM10303.

The size you have now is common for pontoon boat trailers. They use short but very wide tires which help with launching and retrieving the pontoon. The tires you have are likely rated for 65 miles per hour and I would not go over that because it can cause excessive heat build up.

You would not have to worry about the bearings provided that you repack them regularly (at least once a season). When properly lubricated and not overloaded bearings will last a very long time.

If you have the space above the existing tires for a taller size you could use the 15 inch wheel I mentioned above and then use Taskmaster tire # TTWTRTM2057515C but it will be 6.7 inches taller, 3.35 inches of which is applied above the axle centerline so you will need a lot of space above the existing tires.

Tire # TTWTRTM2057515C has an M speed rating which means 81 miles per hour (when inflated to the maximum psi, 50 psi for this tire). However, adding height to a trailer is also going to make it more susceptible to sway.

Your other option is to swap out your hubs to get a different bolt pattern. If you can pull a hub and give me the bearing numbers printed on the face of the front and rear bearing as well as the seal on the back, I can help you find a replacement.