Can Car Tires be Used on a Boat Trailer

Question:

I have a 18 tracker bass buggy with a 60 hp mercury on a single axle trailstar trailer that have ST175/80 D13 tires on a T13 x 4.5 J rim , was thinking about going to a 185/70 D14 car tire and was wonder what would the pros and cons of running a car tire on a boat trailer

asked by: Ciris B

Expert Reply:

Car tires should not be used on trailers. Tires for trailers are specially designed with a thicker sidewall to handle more vertical load. Car tires are not. To keep the same wheels you have you could go to an ST185/80-13 tire, # AM1ST79. This tire is rated for 1,725 pounds at 65 psi.

This side will be 0.3 inches taller and approximately 0.3 inches wider than the 175s you have now so that difference is negligible and the larger size will fit.

If you went to a 14 inch you would need to replace the wheels and the tires and the larger size may not fit because it will be over 2 inches taller and over 1 inch wider than what you have (if you went to a 205/75-14 which is the next step up from a 185/80-13).

expert reply by: Michael H