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?

[FED 387]

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---

Originally Posted by FED 387

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---

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.

[FED 387]

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

[Run to Rund]

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.

Originally Posted by Run to Rund

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.

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.