Can I Use a Smaller Size Spare Tire On a Boat Trailer with 14 Inch Wheels

Question:

The spare tire for my car is a lot smaller than the tires/wheels normally mounted on the car Can I get a spare tire and wheel that are smaller than the regular tires and wheels on the trailer? How small can I reasonably go? My boat trailer has 14 inch wheels. The total weight of the boat and trailer is about 1200 pounds.

asked by: John G

Expert Reply:

The same dynamics for passenger tires are not applicable for trailer's. Therefore, I do not recommend using a smaller tire on your trailer as a spare. The spare tire on a vehicle is mainly designed to get you to the nearest repair station. The nearest repair station most likely has the correct replacement tire for your car but not your trailer. Therefore you will be forced to either have the trailer sit idle until one has arrives or you can use a full size spare. There are much greater consequence for using a different size tire on a trailer than there are for a vehicle.

For a full size spare tire, I recommend using part # AM32156 if you have 205/75-14 tires or part # AM32182 if you have 215/75-14 tires. For a spare tire carrier, I then recommend the Fulton Hi-Mount Spare Tire Carrier part # FSTC1000301 if you don't already have one.

expert reply by: Conner L