Recommendation for Larger Boat Trailer Tires While Still Being Able to Fit Inside Garage

Question:

Hi. I have my 2016 Sea Fox 186 Commander boat on a magic tilt single axle trailer in my garage now using 205x65x10 Ecco Trail ST tires aka 800x10ste with 1,660 lbs max load of load range E tubeless at cold 621 KPA 90 psi. The carrying capacity and weight of cargo should not exceed 2,495 pounds. The rims are 10x6 I-55. The height of my garage door is 81 inches and the height of the boat on trailer right now with the jack all the way down is 77 1/2 inches. I went with the smaller tires to be sure the boat would fit, but I really don’t like having such small tires doing long highway runs when trailering the boat. I’d like to get back into at least a 12 inch or 14 and was wondering if that’s possible with about 3 inches of height to work with. The dry weight of the boat is 2,200 pounds, motor is probably 400 pounds, plus weight of trailer and 50 gallons of max fuel I usually have it filled to. Do you have this same trailer tire manufacturer in 12 or 14 inch? Would either fit if I have 3 inches to spare of height?

asked by: Davis

Expert Reply:

The 205/65-10 tires you currently have on your trailer have an overall diameter/height of around 20-1/2 inches. The smallest 14-inch tires size we have available is a 205/75-14, such as the Provider ST205/75R14 Tire and Wheel Combo # TA82MR.

This tire size will have an overall diameter/height of 26.3 inches, which gives you a difference of 5.8 inches. Keep in mind that only about half of this increase (2.9 inches) will actually add to the height of your trailer, and likely a bit less than that as the tire will certainly compress a bit, especially when loaded. With that in mind, this height increase might still be a little too close for comfort when deciding if the trailer and boat will fit inside your garage.

Going with a 13-inch tire and wheel combo like the Kenda Loadstar ST175/80R13 # AM31994 might be a better option. This tire size will have a diameter of 24.1 inches, around 3.6 inches larger than your current set. This will add roughly 1.8 inches of height to the trailer. This radial ply tire has a maximum load of 1,610 pounds at 65 psi and a maximum speed limit of 81 mph.

expert reply by: Chris R