Currently our pontoon boat trailer sports 5.3 x 12 load range D tires and rims. They are Dexstar rims, and Loadstar tires. I suspect they are the original to the Hoosier brand trailer.

I need a spare for it, but while looking for one I discovered that I can go up to 15" tires with the same 5 x 4.5" lug pattern.

My question is. Is it worth it to go up the few inches in diameter on this setup? I know larger tires spin slower, and also ride better, but will 3" make much difference?

Also while the tires on there are load range D it doesn't need them. It's a small pontoon boat, far less than the load C rating. Any reason to stick with a load D rated tire?

Obviously if I just go the spare route I'll get the D, but if I go for the different size I'll probably go all C's.

12" wheels are pretty dang small for anything bigger than a Jon boat. If there is room to clear the fenders, I'd go bigger.

Bigger circumference = less rotations = longer lasting bearings

quote:

but will 3" make much difference?

Going from a 12 to a 15-inch wheel is 25%, and this is not even taking the overall tire diameter into account. Slowing down your wheel bearing rotation speed by 25% or more couldn't possibly be a bad thing. Boat trailer wheel bearings lead a rough life as it is. You have serviced yours lately, haven't you?

Don't forget you will have to launch and retrieve farther in the water unless your boat cranks up easily.

How much farther down the ramp will you need to go to float the boat? Is the ramp long enough? Will the extra ramp travel impact the tow vehicle? See post above


If these arent issues, increase away. As for load rating it seems to be trendy to get extra plys on trucks now days, maybe that mentality has crossed over to trailers too.

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Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
Don't forget you will have to launch and retrieve farther in the water unless your boat cranks up easily.

Thought about that too, I don't expect it to be much of an issue as the boat has huge logs for it's size so it floats up easily. I usually only have half the trailer in and it's floating.

closer inspection has shown the fenders to be not as adjustable as I thought so I think I may be sticking with the 12" rims.

I thought they were able to be adjusted up, but it would require sawing off the brackets and either welding, or bolting on new ones. So it looks like I'm sticking with 12".

Thanks for the input though.

quote:

Originally posted by ubelongoutside:
closer inspection has shown the fenders to be not as adjustable as I thought so I think I may be sticking with the 12" rims.

I thought they were able to be adjusted up, but it would require sawing off the brackets and either welding, or bolting on new ones. So it looks like I'm sticking with 12".

Thanks for the input though.

If you can't move the fenders, move the axle. Add a simple block lift and longer bolts. Something like this perhaps.

I doubt you'll save much money going from a load range D to a C on a 205/75R-15. I would recommend staying with a Carlisle unless you are blessed with cash then the Goodyear Marathons are the way to go.

A guy I worked with told me that if at all possible , use automobile tires on your trailer . He said they are more durable and will last longer . A blowout on a trailer can tear up some shit .

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
A guy I worked with told me that if at all possible , use automobile tires on your trailer . He said they are more durable and will last longer . A blowout on a trailer can tear up some shit .

No, trailer tires have stiffer sidewalls and are much more preferable than using car tires on a trailer.

I too would go to a 15" tire if possible even If I had to get a block kit for the axle. But if you're going to get a spare wheel tire, get a spare hub with bearings and they have a mount that mounts the hub with bearings and tire onto the trailer as a spare.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
A guy I worked with told me that if at all possible , use automobile tires on your trailer . He said they are more durable and will last longer . A blowout on a trailer can tear up some shit .

No, trailer tires have stiffer sidewalls and are much more preferable than using car tires on a trailer.

This. 10-ply vs. 2-ply.

Just put 4 new tires on my dual axle trailer this morning to the tune of $600. Ouch, but it beats a blow-out at 70MPH while hauling 4000lbs of topsoil.