How to Choose Correct Load Range for Trailer Tires

Question:

Can you explain how to determine how much tires can hold. my question is I have a 4500 pound trailer, that would be the maximum I would put on it , and the trailer is too high I have 15 inch trailer tires on it Id like to down to a 13 inch tire. to simplify it I have two axles on the trailer how do I determine if those 13 inch tires can hold 4500 pounds? if the rating on one tire is 1000 pounds do I multiply that by four and that gives me the maximum it would carry 4000 pounds ?

asked by: Hector R

Helpful Expert Reply:

Your calculation is correct. If you have four tires on your 4500 lb trailer, each tire would have to be rated for at least 1125 lbs. When looking for replacement tires for your trailer, there are a couple things you want to consider.

If we use the weight of the trailer as our first determining factor, we can narrow it down to a 175/80-13 (1,360 lbs max load at 50 psi) or 185/80-13 (1,610-lb maximum load at 65 psi) radial tire/wheel.

These are available only on 5 on 4-1/2 inch bolt pattern wheels like # AM31957 or # AM31994. I have attached a helpful article that explains how to measure your wheel to get your bolt pattern.

If your existing wheels have a different bolt pattern, the hubs may also need to be replaced with ones that match your existing spindle and have the correct bolt pattern (if available).

Otherwise, replacing your axles would be the only solution to downgrade from 15 inch to 13 inch tires/wheels.

.