Recommended Solution for Axle, Wheel and Tires To Stay Under 102 Inch Maximum Trailer Width

Question:

I’m looking at the 7,000# axle with electric brakes, part number 8327872-EB. I want to know what wheel and tire assembly I can use with this to be under the typical 8’6” maximum width to be road legal. I’m finding all kinds of options that will fit the 8 on 6-1/2 bolt pattern but the wheelandtires I see that will fit this axle - and actually get it close to its weight rating - are all going to put it over the max width. Please help! Thank you very much.

asked by: Sam

Expert Reply:

I'll start out by saying that it's not that a trailer over 102" is going to be illegal, but it does require special permits in most cases; this will depend on the state laws where you reside. You are correct that with the configuration you're seeking it will be over that width and additional permits will be required for this trailer since you're going to be about 1" wider than the 102" limit, and there is not a wheel and tire combo that you can use to keep you under this. However, there are solutions to make this work if you want to go through having it permitted, or you can go with a shorter axle with a lower capacity like the # 8327816-EB which is 86" wide and has a 5200-lbs capacity.

So, if you were to use a 94" long axle like the Dexter Trailer Axle w/ Electric Brakes - 4" Drop - E-Z Lube - 8 on 6-1/2 - 94" - 7,000 lbs # 8327872-EB with a set of tires like the Provider ST235/80R16 Radial Tire w 16" Viking Aluminum Wheel - 8 on 6-1/2 - LR G - Black # A16RG8BMMFL80 you'll be slightly over 8'-6" wide since each tire is only 9.3" wide and only half of the wheel/tire will sit outside of the hub face because of the 0 offset wheel. When you add that 9.3" to the 94" you're at 103" which is 8'-7" The Provider tires and Viking wheels have a 4,080-lbs per tire/wheel capacity, so they'll be well suited to handle being on a 7000-lbs trailer. This configuration would require permits as mentioned, since anything over 8'-6" is considered a "wide load".

For the 5200-lbs axles mentioned above # 8327816-EB, these have a 6 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern so you can use something similar to the Provider ST235/80R16 Radial Tire w 16" Viking Aluminum Wheel - 6 on 5-1/2 - LR E - Silver # A16RTK6FPS which has a 3,520-lbs per wheel capacity. These are radial trailer tires, so they're ideal for highway travel and they're only 9.25" wide so using them with an 86" long axle will keep you under the 102" maximum so you're not considered a wide load.

I've linked our entire selections of 16" wheels that fit on 6 on 5-1/2 and 8 on 6-1/2 bolt patterns in case you're looking for something slightly difference but any of the 235/80r16 or 235/85r16 tires will work and give you the best carrying capacity to match your trailer size.