Can A Smaller Tire Be Put On My Trailer To Lower It

Question:

I have an Aluma 8810 trailer with 13 in tires. Im wondering if a smaller sized tire can be put on the trailer to lower it a few inches.

asked by: Richard R

Expert Reply:

Yes, you are able to put a smaller tire on the trailer to lower it, however there are a few things that you want to consider when choosing a smaller tire.

According to my research the standard tires that are on your trailer are ST175/80R 13LRC tires with a 1360 pound capacity. It also has a 2200 pound rubber torsion axle with no brakes. This type of setup has either wheels with a 4 on 4 Inch # AM3S120 or a 5 on 4-1/2 Inch bolt pattern # AM31994. This is something to consider when choosing tires and wheels.

The problem with going from a larger wheel size down to a smaller one is primarily that you lose a lot of weight capacity when you do this and also the tire sizes for each wheel size don't both give you the same overall tire diameter. By going down 1 inch in wheel size, you'll lower your ground clearance by 1/2 an inch. Which isn't going to lower your trailer very much.

For 12 inch tires, I recommend the Kenda Karrier S-Trail ST145/80/R12 Radial Tire with wheel # AM31202 which as a 5 on 4-1/2 bolt pattern. The Kenda Karrier S-Trail ST145/R12 Radial Tire with wheel # AM35351DX is recommended if you have a 4 on 4 bolt pattern. Both tires have a maximum load capacity is 1,220 lbs at 65 psi the maximum speed capacity is 65 mph. I am only recommending 12 inch tires because that is a safe decrease in tire size from 13 inches. If you can let me know how much weight you plan on carrying on the trailer, I can make tailored recommendations.

If the leaf springs of your trailer are installed so they're sitting on top of the axles, you can use an over/under kit to put the springs under the axle. This will drop the trailer by the diameter of the axle plus the leave stack and lower your trailer with your existing tires. An over/under conversion kit such as # K71-385-00 is designed to fit 3 inch diameter round axles. If your axle is 2-3/8 inches in diameter you would need kit # K71-384-00. I attached a chart that has all of the tire sizes we carry. You can see the overall diameters in the right column and the capacities in the column just to the left. Make sure you have enough clearance for the tires with the trailer lowered. If it lowers too much the tires will hit the fenders.

expert reply by: Timothy G

Stutz

3/20/2024

I have a 20' trailer with 16" tires 235/80 10 ply and a torsion axel. I unfortunately need to lower it by 4". Please let me know what tire rim combo is best to go down to. Thanks

Jenny N.

3/29/2024

@Stutz I can take a look for you. I just need to know what bolt pattern you have 8 on 6.5 or 6 on 5.5> Also what load range are they?

Paul

3/30/2024

@JennyN 8 bolts 16" rim P.

Jenny N.

4/8/2024

@Paul I did take a look at the tires that we have that would fit with with 8 bolt hubs however we do not have one that would be smaller then the tire you have currently. The only other possible option would be to change the axle to an axle less suspension system like part # TASR7KS02 which has a 4 inch drop however it would mean changing out the hubs possibly spending on which hub you have now.