enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

I started another thread about purchasing a Pro-Line enclosed trailer and got a couple guys talking about tire size ... which leads to me to this question. Is anyone towing an enclosed trailer with 15" wheels and tires and if so do you have any problems?

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

Yes--my 24 ft trailer was originally equipped with load range c 225/75R/15 tires--they lasted one summer maybe 5000 miles if that far --replaced 2 tires in that time and finally bought used 16 inch Ford Ranger wheels and E rated tires --NEVER had a problem since and the trailer handles so much better too-- if ya dont plan on going more than 30-50 miles per tow and drive under 50 miles per hour you might be OK--- but look at it this way the trailer empty weighs about 3000-3500 pounds ---any kind of door car is at least 3500 so your maxed out right away even if you dont put a six pack of beer in the trailer---

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

If I upgrade the axles to 5200# it comes with 6-lug wheels but they are still 15". Will most 6-lug 16" trailer wheels (I've seen them everywhere on the internet) fit that bolt pattern? If I'm not mistaken the wheels I've seen have a 5.5" spacing.

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

should-- but better off to check--- also look in the fenderwell see how much space there is--- some trailers have more space in front of and behind the tire(that is from the front of the trailer to towards the rear)--- some trailers only have maybe a inch others more---ya dont want the tire rubbing on the fenderwells--- if you get say a 225/75r/15 tire and replace it with a 225/75r/16 tire you only pick up about a 1/2 inch on the radius but if you put on say a 245/75r/16 tire ya might pick up as much as a inch so clearance is critical also check the width of the fenderwell too---trailer wheels usually are centered that means 0" back spacing or off set from the center of the wheel

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

My 24' has 15" wheels and 225-75-15 D rated tires. Each tire is rated 2500 lb, and the loaded trailer weighs 7000-7500 lb. I run the tires at 65 lb and haven't had trouble. I figured that if 16" trailer tires were the same chinesium, I wouldn't gain much since they aren't overloaded or close to it. Back in 2006 Goodyear published a bulletin saying if you go over 65, up to 75 mph, add 10 psi over what the load would require. They didn't say if you were at max load that you could add another 10 = 75 psi. Since I am well below max, I just run them at 65. It is very easy to add more weight than you think, and overload one or more tires. It is also easy to run too fast on a long trip. I'd say if you are close to max, 10,000 lb, then you would be pushing it to use 15" D tires. E tires might help, but you have also maxed out the axles. If your trailer is over 10,000 gvw, in some states you will need a CDL.

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

Thank you for the input. The trailer weighs 3500 and the car is 3200. We just plan to carry a small tool box and other than that no pit vehicle, generator, etc. so we travel light. I appreciate the response.

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

If you decide to run the 15" tires, do yourself a favor and a little insurance to last those nasty Texas summer heat on the roadways; change the rubber valve stems to the steel valve stems. The heat generated by the friction of the tires and the roads have caused rapid deterioration and cause tire failure as well.

FWIW, I had the 3500 axle and typical 15" tire and wheel combo. I went through 2-4 tires a year, irregardless of their age. I always carried 2 spares with me - and have used both on trips before. Ended up selling that trailer and bought a 28' 5200 lb axles with a 6 lug 15" wheel combo. Sold those wheels and put a set of 16" aluminum wheels and LT 245/16 without ANY issues over the last few years.

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

Thanks for the response and that's a great idea about the valve stems. I checked today and the total price of the trailer with 5200# axles and 15" 6-lug wheels with 15" 225 D rated tires (2,540#) is $4899. I think I'm going to pick one up and run the tires until they go and then sell the wheels and go with 16" E rated.

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

If you look around you might be able to find a D or E load range LT ruck tire in the 15 inch size----WATCH YOUR AIR PRESSURE keep em inflated to max all the time --- regardless what you might hear from other racers DO NOT drive over about 60 MPH or you're gonna have blowouts

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

I have a Haulmark 24 ft enclosed trailer with tools,extra trans,scooter,and a bunch of other crap and haul a 1970 442 convertible (not a light car) and maybe had ONE flat tire in about 7 years.Must be lucky I guess.I have been known to exceed 60 mph on occasion.lol

15 inch load range D 225-75-15 tires

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

Not to stir the pot... but I might as well be the one to approach this from a different point of view.
Now, my trailer isn't enclosed, so that may be some, or all the difference ?... or maybe no difference at all.
I approach car trailers with the "prime diective" first and foremost.
"Prime directive" : the lower the loaded deck is to the ground, the better the trailer... ;period.
I designed and built the trailer in 1992., uses a pair of 3500 pound "flexi-ride" axles, with the brake drums custom drilled for proper 4 3/4 Chevy bolt pattern.
Mine is a fifth wheel ( not a goofy gooseneck )... 20 ft deck surface, 6 ft over the truck.
Weighs 1900 pounds empty. Car is 3500, and I carry about 300 pounds of additional "stuff" on the trailer ( the HEAVY stuff... tools, floor jack, ect, are carried on my truck ).
With the car on, everything fueled, ready to go, the unit weighs:
front axle... 2850
dually axle... 4500
trailer axles... 4450
I have driven this unit seasonally, across the continent a number of times, through the BC rockies, often carrying a car that is 300-400 pounds heavier .
I have never done anything more to the trailer, other than maintain brakes and bearings ( yeah, light repairs too ! ).
The loaded deck ( surface that the car tires sit on ), is 12 inches off the ground.
Bought it's second set of tires about 7 years ago.
The wheels and tires ?
Stock 1964 Chevrolet 14" X 5" steel wheels, with 205 70 14 tires.
Do I "drive" it ?
If you've ever been behind me through Rogers Pass or around Golden... you'd know it's not driven like a farm truck !

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

Do yourself a favor and go with a 16 in. tire. You will be glad you did!

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

x2

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

Best thing I ever did to my 24' ATC was 10 ply 16" wheels & tires. Already had 6 lug 15" wheels. 80psi. Speed rated at 112MPH. Can 't even feel it move when meeting big rigs on 2 lanes. Tows like a different trailer. Thanks to Jeff Tueton for the advice.

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

I have 16" Goodyear Marathons on my 24' enclosed and I have had no issues in 3 years of service. I agree with the earlier post about the metal valve stems, I have them on my GMC 2500HD rims too with no issues. I pull at 62-64 mph loaded and it works for me.

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

I run a 235/75/15 Michelin LTX with 55 lbs of air on my 30 ft classic. Two roof airs, onan , corvette golf cart transfer ect . I tow at 80 all day long, the tires stay cool. Highe speed rating than a trailer tire, replace them every 5 year because of dry rot

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

I have a 32ft enclosed tag trailer 15" wheels,225/75/15 trailer tires.race car,tools,golf cart,about 9500 lbs.try to buy a american made trailer tire-they don't exist!! want to change to 16" wheels & tires but don't the clearence for it.carry 2 spares,go with E rated tires with max air pressure .change tires every 2 years.light truck tires is a option,but they are taller and side wall support is not what it should be,but some people have gone that way with decent results. good luck.

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

I have a 28' Classic tandem axle tag. It has 15" wheels and 225/75/R15 trailer tires load range (E) which is ten ply. Always use "high pressure" valve stems when running over 45psi. in a tire. I believe it is the law if I'm not mistaken.
Fully loaded going racing I'm towing right around 10,000 lbs down the road. Haven't had any issues.
Good luck this season........

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

Thanks everyone for the responses. I appreciate the input. We were in Dallas bracket racing a couple weeks ago in preparation for our points meet there next month and happened to take time to walk around and look at all of the trailers. Not that a 16" combo wouldn't be better but 95% of everything we saw had 15" wheels and tires.

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

Consider yourself lucky then!

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

JOE- amen on the luck 16 or keep it at home not worth the hassle of tire fsilures and damage to the trailer let alone its just plain dangerous to others on the highways---FED387

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

where is a good source to get replacement 16" wheel and tire to replace 15" wheel/tire st225/75/15 range e, 6 lug axles on 24' enclosed? thanks jamie

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

Tredit, they have several locations around the country and their prices are fair. I purchased my two matching spares there for my new trailer back in 2010.

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

I found some E rated 225-75-15's trailer tires last year. I didn't even know they existed until I saw them.
Best investment yet for my trailer.

I love the way the tires stand straight up....none of that bow-out at the bottom like a radial.

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

Aubrey, I like your "home-brew" approach...wish I was half as handy as you are!

Just be CAREFUL!

Wondering...on your trailer..if tires are bias-ply...and the load rating?

How much pressure in them....also your normal towing speed?

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

well, SS, I'm not very good at making money, or managing things, but I can design stuff.
Not really "home brew". More like "logical, purpose-built"
Tires are 205 70 14 radials. 44 PSI max, which I run at about 40. I believe they have a load capacity of 1400 pounds each. Weight on the 4 of them, depending on what is on the trailer, varies between 4000 - 4700 pounds.
Normal towing speed on the highway, is 65-75 MPH.
This unit has been trouble free since 1992.

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

Hey....it ain't fancy...but it works! Not bad!

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

A lot better than the belly button, fit-all trailers that you buy !
naah, it aint fancy

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

Nice!!! My open trailer's not a fit-all....built in a metal-fab shop...ages ago...bed
height OVER 12"....7:00 x15 old-school bias truck tires....axles not offset to the rear
a bit...as they should have been...

A real "white-knuckler" roller-coaster ride everytime...towed with a 1/2-ton Suburban!

Hopefully to be phased-out soon....

BTW....are you shooting for some 10.90's later this years?

Re: enclosed trailer with 15" tires?
 

Just got got my new clutch from Advanced. Pick up the block in a couple days.
We'll see. My "adjusted" cam profile, HOPEFULLY allows the intake valve train to be in control. If I do manage to make a fast pass or two, I doubt that it would be "official", because to my knowledge, there's only one more available Stock / Super Stock race out west here this year... and it's next weekend in Mission. Can't make that one.

BTW, my old contraption is definitely not a roller coaster ride ! In fact, with the loaded trailer, my truck is way better to drive. Running through that highway on the east side of Golden BC, is something that I look forward to !