Tech Tips with Mike T - Trailers Part 2: Tires

[@rynait]

You confused on physics of rim size vs trailer rim size associating to spins faster. Regardless of vehicles' or trailers' tire sizes; the smaller tire (not rims) does rotate more to match the speed-distance. You can find large tire to fit small rims. same applies in reverse small tire to fit big rims. let me repeat.. The tire size dictates the rotation.

[@MrCpalombo72]

Thank you Mike T! Helpful. Thanks for taking time to make this vid.

[@ericstinnett9182]

Great video, I have a question? What is the difference between a trailer tire that is balance and not balance? Do you have a video on it? Thanks.

[@garyb.4080]

I would like to know why you can’t use a truck tires on a trailer! A truck tire is rated for more weight, and generally quite a lot more miles! I’ve never had a good scientific answer!

[@johnfatorich3494]

So they can charge you the same price for the smaller tire.

[@spuddy_bud]

I have a 12 year old utility trailer that is 5' x 8' in size and uses 4.80 x 12 tires. The wheel has 5 lugs. The first question I have is can I purchase a new set of tires with wheels (5 lugs) and will the lug pattern match my trailer. Or, is it better to go to a tire dealer with my old set and have the tire store mount the new tires on my wheels. The second question is can I use 5.30 x 12 tires instead of the 4.80 x 12 that are on the trailer now. What is the difference between these tires?

[@jimcollins8097]

Actually, it's all about wheels. The steel spoke wheels you have are horrendously out of round and have huge lateral run out. There is a big tires store in my town that makes these.....in China. I bought 5 and had to return all as they were unusable. The guy admitted to me that they took an entire pallet of these wheels and spun them up without tires. Did not find one wheel in the pallet that was usable. I ordered aluminum wheels. A different shop mounted and balanced. Said it was the smoothest set of trailer tires/wheels they had ever seen.

[@kikupub71]

Great video

[@stevemizera3891]

I am switching from the Harbor Freight 1720 foldup trailer tire size 12 with ST175/80-D-13. Is this doable or are the 13 inch too wide for this trailer?

[@kennyplay5982]

Question I have a slight bent single axle and wearing on the inside. 2990lb 6 x 12 trailer. The tire tread is still very good Can I unmount tire, rotate it and remount? Thx

[@_Vern]

My popup trailer asks for - 205/65-10 20.5X8.0-10 Load Range C Max Load: 1105 Lbs at 50 PSI My question is can I put on a - 205/65-10 20.5x8.0-10 Load Range D Max Load: 1520 Lbs at 90 psi

[@rachelgibson1858]

A mechanic just told me that my trailer has the wrong size wheels. The hole doesn't touch/rest on the hub or whatever its called. He said the weight is on the lugs only. How do we find the correct wheels for our trailer? These are the wheels that came with thr trailer brand new from dealer. We never knew they were suppose to rest on the hub drum or whatever its called. We just assumed the manufacturer had the correct wheels on it.

[@NoahTheFacts]

That *may* not be a problem, some vehicles and trailers do have lug-centric hubs and rims. If your wheel sits on relatively beefy studs with conical or tapered seat lug nuts, it could be lug-centric.

[@rowanlawson3844]

If one takes your advice that a target diameter wheel reduces wear on the bearings from rotational speed, an issue that comes up, say if you want to move from a 12” trailer tire to a 13”, is that the trailer wheel offset can mean the tire rubs on the trailer itself (on the inside of the tire - nothing to do with the fender). What is recommended in this situation? Some people suggest using wheel spacers, some say that’s a bad idea. I haven’t found a website that has different offset trailer wheel options. What do you recommend?

[@grilablitznet3574]

Stay away from spacers

[@bartdaw6681]

Good discussion and explanations! Again Princess Auto supplies great information that you can count on.

[@hardrock1826]

Mike, do I need to have my trailer wheels balanced like is done on my car?

[@shfarm8487]

It can help to balance small trailers like 4x6, etc. Most shops will not balance heavier trailers like horse or dump trailers unless you ask. I always balance both my light and heavy trailers. I don't see a down side; it's usually inexpensive.

[@HK-qj4im]

Why do I need to pay more for a trailer tire? My boat trailer used car tires.. Worked great for 6 years.

[@Dan-oz4qb]

Trailer tires have a stiffer sidewall to handle the stresses put on a trailer, particularly when turning. For light loads car tires will work but generally don't last as long as a proper trailer tire. I ran used car tires on utility trailers for years as I had a free supply from my business but they never lasted as long as the ST tires we put on the larger trailers that actually carried substantial weight.

[@xxxxxxxx183]

@@Dan-oz4qb you have that backwards. Trailer ties suck they're cheaper but always wear out faster then a lt or passenger tire.

[@georgea6403]

In Pennsylvania it’s the law. Last I heard if you don’t have trailer tires the fine is $1,000 per tire.

[@ConfusedGoat13]

Trailers sway as they are being pulled. Trailer tires are designed for this sway car tires are not because cars don't sway side to side and will blow out with time or load.

[@expatconn7242]

My question is….. my tire is ST 205/75/ 15d . Need new tires. I found ST225/ 75/15D tires. Can I run them. Looking to get more tire on the road . Ty

[@christianjensen3182]

The new ones will be 20mm (2cm) wider and 30mm (3cm) taller. As long as they clear the fenders you should be good to go

[@alcourtines4707]

You never talked about trailers having higher tire pressures.

[@georgesimpson3113]

Um... Nope. IF what you say is true why do RV manufactures offer a upgraded tire - to a truck tire? Any decent truck tire will hand a bigger load than a trailer tire. The ones I run handle over 4,000lbs each.

[@hawaiidogs9277]

Ty sir

[@dadsgarage.alwaysopen]

The D designation shown is the load rating not if it’s Radial or Biased. Just FYI

[@earlmcclung9573]

You are incorrect. The tire shown is ST175/80D13. The D included in the P-metric sizing indicates tire construction. Actually there are 3 types. R is Radial, D is bias-ply (the D really means diagonal, which is the way the plies and cords are laid on in relation to the beads. B is the final one, and it means Bias-belted. For the letter to indicate load rating, it will say Load Range D in a separate area of the sidewall.

[@michaelfox2965]

Thanks mike

[@carlpenney901]

The smaller the tire the hotter the bearings will get speed = pressure.

[@richardmoorelowther1985]

EVER PULL A TRAILOR A LONG DISTANCE AND GET 2 FLATS IN A LONG DISTANCE DRIVE AT NIGHT?

[@slickchichen]

no

[@user-wi7zy6qr3s]

So my vehicle has 15 inch rims so what trailer tire size should I get ?

[@justincooper5189]

What is the current tire size? That is the rim diameter. Tire size is the number section. For example 245/70/15. There would be an "r" or "d" by the 15.

[@gregbetts8057]

all went out the door when you went to chin tires instaid of Carlisle Brand Tires made in usa

[@snakeplisken4119]

You spelled instead wrong

[@georgea6403]

I just got Carlisle tires. They made in China. Ughhh

[@rickarmstrong4704]

You have that bas akwards Sir! it was carlisle that went to china just as nixon wanted the greedy milloinares to do! the old adage is out the window You don"t get what You pay for anymore never mind the much You paid, Rick Armstrong Aurora Ontario Canada,

[@richardmoorelowther1985]

I THING THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE BWHO THROW OUT BNTACKS AND NAILED BOARDS

[@martinschulz9381]

Buy a brand name trailer tire from a reputal tire outlet. They will recommend the best tire for your application. Avoid good deal no name internet tires; there's a lot of cheap China bombs out there. The ratings on those cheap tires are not worth the rubber that they are written on.

[@mrpittsburghpa5887]

All ST tires are garbage. I’m going to put a quality truck tire on mine that’s rated to 115 mile an hour. Trailor tires are usually rated to 65 miles an hour 👎🏻

[@danadams1661]

But they aren’t built with the additional load carrying capicity or rigid sidewall for sway control

[@xxxxxxxx183]

@@danadams1661 neither are trailer tires

[@stevelong1620]

What about the date code

[@johannesboreen]

Well, the ones from China are. Try a tire made in the USA. There is a reason that trailer tires are manufactured. Gee, how fast do you want to drive while towing a trailer????

[@georgea6403]

You do what you want and works for you. Just want to say in case you’re not aware that I heard that if Mr police man pulls you over and you’re tires on the trailer are not designated trailer tires. The fine is $1,000 per tire. Just saying.

[@kenbarrett4699]

It would b e nice it you know what you were talking about!

[@blairbreland1443]

zzzzzzzz