Triple Axle Car Hauler Using Slightly Shorter And Wider Tires On Same Size Wheel

Question:

My triple axle toy hauler currently has 225/75r16 LT tires with a load rating of 2680 lbs. I would like to put on some 235/65r16 LT tires with a rating of 3100 lbs. The tire is 1.3 inches smaller and .4 inches wider. This should not be an issue, should it?

asked by: Ryan

Expert Reply:

Installing a slightly wider tire will not cause any issue as long as you have the additional 1/4 inch of clearance on the inside. You will want to make sure that your frame, body, and all moving components won't be effected by the difference in the internal clearance. The shorter aspect won't change much except you will ride about 3/4 of an inch shorter overall which may mean an adjustment at your ball mount.

I do recommend using Standard Trailer (ST) tires versus Light Truck (LT) tires for your application. They are made with sturdier side walls which will definitley help with the ride of your triple axle toy hauler and give you a stronger capacity rating. These will be slightly different sizes, so you will need to do the math on the effect, but there are really nice tires like the Westlake ST235/85R16 Radial Tire w 16" Bobcat Aluminum Wheel - 8 on 6-1/2 - LR G - Black # LHAXSO513B that are rated for speeds up to 75 mph. You will need to determine your bolt pattern for proper fit if you are using a combination instead of just your current wheels. I've attached an article to help and have linked the page to all our 16-inch tires for your convenience.

expert reply by: Jason S