Can I Go Down To a Smaller Sized Trailer Tire?

Question:

I currently have an old trailer with ST225/75/R15 tires/rims to pull a 17 foot boat. Would it be okay to replace with ST205/75/R15?

asked by: Billy B

Expert Reply:

The simple answer to this question is yes; you will be able to go down to a 205/75R15 tire, provided that you can find a tire with the same load rating as your current tires and aren't worried about having slightly less ground clearance on your trailer.

The main issue you'll need to consider is if you have a Load Range E tire like the # LHWL304 , you're not going to find a 205/75R15 tire that has the same "E" load rating. You'll want to check the trailer information plate/sticker which will have the weight capacity of the trailer and determine which tires are going to work best on your boat trailer. Load range D tires have a capacity of 2150-lbs per tire (4300-lbs total on a single axle trailer), where a Load Range E tire has a capacity of 2850-lbs per tire (5700-lbs total on a single axle trailer).

If you were able to go down to the smaller size, the highest load rating 205/75/R15 tire we have available are Load Range D like the Taskmaster Provider ST205/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range D Item # TR20515D . I've linked our entire selection of 205/75R15 tires to this answer for you to have a look at and determine which one might work best for you.

expert reply by: Erik B