enclosed trailer with 15" tires?

[Aubrey N Bruneau]

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 !

[Joe Martens]

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

[Bob Bender]

Originally Posted by joe martens

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

x2

[Ed Wright]

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.

[bigsixman]

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.

[GDED]

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

[flash]

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.

[Shake & Bake]

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........

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.

[Joe Martens]

Originally Posted by Shake & Bake

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........

Consider yourself lucky then!