Can I Use a Higher Capacity Tire or Wheel and Tire Combination on a 24 Ft Wells Cargo Trailer
Question:
I currently have ST205R75/15 Load C tires on a 5.5 rim, can I use ST225R75/15 Load D without using a wider wheel? Also will the bigger tire possibly cause inner tire rubbing on a Wells Fargo 24 ft enclosed trailer with torsion axles? Thank you, I will be ordering later once I know what my limits and needs are.
asked by: Dennis M
Expert Reply:
First, we need to determine the axle capacities and gross trailer weight (GTW) capacity of your 24 foot Wells Fargo trailer. The reason axle and GTW capacity is important is if you upgrade the tires or tires and wheels to handle more capacity, you will be putting more stress on the trailer suspension, axles and bearings, making one or more of these parts the weakest link in the system. It is much easier on the trailer, you will get a better ride and it is safer, if the tires are properly matched to the trailer suspension system.
Once we have the capacities of your axles and trailer, we can determine if the weight rating for the ST205R75/15 load range C tire is correct for your trailer. If your axles and GTW indicate that 3,500 lbs for each axle is correct, the ST205R75/15 tire is correctly sized for your trailer and you should replace the tires with the correct size.
If your trailer axles and GTW rating indicate that the ST205R75/15, tire and wheel are not rated for enough capacity, then installing a larger and higher rated tire would be a good idea, if there is clearance on your trailer for the tires to fit. The ST225/75R15 trailer tire is .8 inches wider and 1.1 inches taller than the ST205R75/15 tire, so you will need to make sure that there is room for the .4 inches extra width at the back of the tire and .55 inches height increase between the tire and inside of the wheel well.
The weight capacity of the ST205R75/15 load range C tire that we carry, # AM10244, is 1820 lbs each at 50 PSI and the capacity of the ST225/75R15 load range D tire that we carry, # AM10256, is 2540 lbs each at 65 PSI. The special trailer tires (ST Rated) should be inflated to the listed pressure rating listed on the tire at all times, to reduce heat build up, premature tire wear and premature tire failure.
Finally, all tires should be mounted on rim sizes that they are designed for. The 225/75R15 tire size is designed for use on 6, 6-1/2 and 7 inch rims, and mounting this tire on a 5-1/2 inch rim is going to cause the tire to wear in the center of the tread faster because the tire will be squeezed onto a narrower rim than it is designed for. If a tire is installed on a rim wider than recommended the tread will wear on the outsides of the tire faster than in the center. This means that if you decide to go up in tire size, you will need to purchase a new wheel and tire combination for your trailer. We have an article that lists trailer tire sizes and the recommended rim widths for each tire size, see link.
Products Referenced in This Question
Karrier ST225/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range D
- Trailer Tires and Wheels
- Tire Only
- Radial Tire
- Load Range D
- 225/75-15
- 15 Inch
- M - 81 mph
- Kenda
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Karrier ST205/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range C
- Trailer Tires and Wheels
- Tire Only
- Radial Tire
- Load Range C
- 205/75-15
- 15 Inch
- M - 81 mph
- Kenda
more information >
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