How To Choose Tires And Wheels For 1995 Haulmark 20-Ft Enclosed Tandem Car Hauler

Question:

i have 1995 HAULMARK 20 FT ENCLOSED DUAL AXLE CAR TRAILER MY QUESTION IS CURRENTLY THIS TRAILER HAS 205/75/15 ON IT MY TRAILER AS FAR AS I KNOW IS RATED FOR 7000 GVW I WANTED TO KNOW IF I SHOULD STAY WITH THIS SIZE TIRE ? OR WOULD I BENEFIT FROM POSSIBLY UPGRADING AND LAST I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THE RECOMMENDED RIM AND TIRE SIZE IS FOR THIS TRAILER I CONTACTED HAULMARK BUT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE THE TRAILER THEY COULD ONLY OFFER ME VERY LIMITED INFORMATION. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME IN REGARDS TO MY TRAILER QUESTIONS..

asked by: JAMES P

Expert Reply:

When considering a different tire size for your trailer you will want to make sure you have the clearance you need for wider or taller tires. Since you said you have 205/75-15 tires, going to a larger tire like a 225/75-15 will be a bigger diameter of about an inch. When checking for clearance it is always best to have a minimum of 3-inches clearance from the top of the tire to the fender because of tire deflection.

I recommend using radial tires on your trailer. Radial tires flex more than a bias-ply tire and will run cooler, which means they will last longer.

I could not find out what size axle you have on your trailer but you can measure the diameter of your axle to get a pretty good indication what the axle capacity is for the trailer. Here is a list of axle capacities based on the axle diameter:
- 1,000-lb - 2,000-lb Axles: 1-1/2 inch - 1-3/4 inch diameter
- 3,500-lb Axles: 2-3/8 inch diameter
- 6,000-lb - 7,200-lb Axles: 3 inch diameter
- 8,000-lb Axles: 3-1/2 inch diameter
- 9,000-lb Axles: 4 inch diameter
- 10,000-lb Or more axles: 5 inch diameter.

If your trailer is rated for 7,000-lbs I would guess the axles are rated for 3,500-lbs each.

When choosing a wheel you will need to know what the wheel bolt pattern is on your hub. I have attached a helpful article that explains how you can determine the wheel bolt pattern on your trailer.

You may be interested in a tire/wheel combo. I have attached a link to the combos we offer, but you will need to know the bolt pattern to make sure it will fit your trailer. I also attached a link to 15-inch wheels and another link to the 15-inch tires we offer you can check out.