Can ST175/80R13 Trailer Tire & Wheel Switch to 14 Inch Tire & Wheel

Question:

Hello, I have a 2004 shorelander trailer with ST175/80R13 tires and rims that I haul my 16 foot flat bottom with. Can I move up to say a Goodyear Endurance tire in 14 inch. There seems to be enough room if the difference is only one inch. Thanks in advance for your reply.

asked by: Thomas S

Expert Reply:

Yes, so long as you have 3" of clearance from the top of the tire to your fender and at least 1" of clearance between the inside of the tire and your trailer's frame rail you can switch. A ST175/80R13 tire measures 24" in diameter and 6.9" wide and a 14 inch tire and wheel - ST205/75R14 - measures 26.3" in diameter and 8.1" wide. So you are right that at the top it will be only an extra inch, but be sure you account for the width as well.

You will also need new wheels in order to accommodate the larger size, so be sure you get the correct bolt pattern. The most common is 5 on 4-1/2" but if you aren't sure I've added links below with a help article and printable template on how to find the bolt pattern. While we don't have Goodyear Endurance, we do have an option for a 14 inch tire and wheel combo:

- Karrier ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire with 14" Galvanized Wheel # AM32156

The # AM32156 has the 5 on 4-1/2" bolt pattern and the wheel is galvanized which is perfect for your boat trailer. It is a load range C tire with a 1,925 lb per-tire capacity. This is a very strong tire made to last, as evidenced by its 81 mph speed rating (the highest possible) and long 5-year warranty.

expert reply by: Kyle S