Switching trailer tire diameters

[JRS]

From a safety standpoint I want to switch my 32 foot enclosed race car trailer from 15" wheels to 16" wheels. Obviously the 16's are larger in diameter. I am trying to determine if they will actually fit, considering axle range of movement while traveling, but not quite sure how to go about it. (w/o actually purchasing 16" tires/rims) I have rubber torsion axles on the trailer. thanks.

 

[JHardwick]

I think you'll find very little suspension travel with torsion axles.

 

[JRS]

That's what I thought. Unfortunately, I travel down some bad Interstates (I-10) through Louisiana and wanted to make sure I had enough range of motion without running the top of the tire into the trialer.

 

[TAbbott]

Just remember that with a larger diameter tires/wheel package comes decreased braking performance from the trailer brakes. something tothink about...

 

[B.G. Smith]

There are others but here is a site that might be of use. bg Tire Dimensions Made Simple - Discount Tire Co.

 

[JRS]

Excellent point about the braking. Heavier tire/wheel combo. However, I have the same size drum brakes that they install on some axles that come with 16" wheels so I feel that I'm covered in that area. Just trying to increase the "factor of safety" with a higher load range tire. It has to be better to load a 16" at say 60% of it's limit instead of a 15" tire at 90% of its limit.



FYI- I run nitrogen in my trailer tires, since I carry a bottle in the car trailer for my racing tires. Increase in pressure from higway use is significantly reduced. overkill you could say, but just increases that "factor of safety" a bit more. I was impressed with the results so much, that even if I wasn't carrying nitrogen I would probably try to find some.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Larger in diameter by how much? If it is an inch then that is only 1/2 inch in radius. You could get those bumpers that mount between the frame and axle and that would limit the upward travel of the axle and keep the new tires from rubbing the underside of your fenders. There has been a lot of post on here about ST tires (trailer only) I suggest you read those posts. Buying trailer only ST tires are a waste of money, they are made to fly apart in 3 years regardless of the condition of the tread they loose 1/3 of their strength in 3 years. They could be a year old the day you buy them. Michelin makes the best tires according to a JD Powers report I read. Figure out how much weight you are hauling and buy tires that exceed that by a safe margin. If the weight of your trailer is not on a tag riveted to your trailer weigh it at a truck stop. Open the drivers door and look below where the recommended tire pressure is and you might find a tag with the weight of the vehicle. You will have to estimate how much the modifications added in weight or weigh it at a truck scale. Tire dealers may refuse to sell you anything except ST trailer only tires. If so they have subscribed to the tire industry SCAM. They only want to sell you tires that will bring you back to buy more, the kind that won't last. If they sell you Michelins with the proper load rating they probably won't see you again and they want repeat business so much that they will lie to you and tell you how great what they will sell you will be. B>S> they will sell you crap made in China.