The majority of boat trailers on the road have a 4, 5 or 6 lug pattern. A very common designation for boat trailer hubs would be 5 on 4-1/2 or 545 for short. This means that the hub has 5 bolts spaced evenly on a 4-1/2″ circle (see 5-lug diagram).
How do I know what wheels fit my trailer?
If the trailer has no wheels, or you think the ones that are on it are incorrect, measure the bolt circle (the distance between the center of the hub and the center of one bolt multiplied by 2) and the inner wheel well carefully to determine the overall size it can accommodate when you include tires, and check to see
Are all 4 lug boat trailer wheels the same?
Yes, 8 inch and 12 inch trailer wheels with 4 bolt holes, like parts # AM20011 and # AM20122 respectively, fit the same 4 on 4 bolt pattern.
What tires should I put on my boat trailer?
For towing boat trailers, we recommend using radial tires. Radial tires flex more than bias ply tires, which means better traction on pavement. Radial tires also run cooler and last longer than bias ply tires under heavy loads when hauled long distance.
What lug pattern is a boat trailer? – Related Questions
Do boat trailers require special tires?
Your Trailer Needs a Certain Type
It may be tempting to put any tire that fits on your boat trailer, but there are specifications in place for trailer tires. Special Trailer (ST) tires are the only type you should use on your boat trailer unless you’re willing to risk damage or potentially an accident.
Can I use car tires on my boat trailer?
Car tires should not be used on a trailer. It is dangerous because the load difference and the size typically don’t match. The sides of trailer tires are also stiffer in some cases to enhance the load-bearing capacity.
Are boat trailer tires different from car tires?
A tire made for a boat trailer is going to have “ST” on the sidewall, or the words “Trailer Use Only.” Unlike tires on your car, trailer tires have strengthened sidewalls to handle the weight of a boat, especially when rounding corners. Trailer tires are either bias ply or radial.
Are radial tires good for a boat trailer?
For a boat trailer, or any other trailer used on pavement a radial tire is preferable. A radial tire will have a more flexible sidewall, which provides better tread contact with the pavement. Radial tires also do a better job of shedding heat.
What size tire goes on a boat trailer?
8 – 9 – 10 – 12 – Inch Trailer Tire Sizing
| Older Size |
Tire Size |
Overall Diameter |
| – |
4.80/4.00-8 |
16.1 inches |
| – |
5.70-8 |
18.1 inches |
| 16.5 x 6.5 – 8 |
165/65-8 |
16.5 inches |
| 18.5 x 8.5 – 8 |
215/60-8 |
18.3 inches |
Do single axle trailer tires need to be balanced?
The answer is yes, you should. Although you may meet RVers and travel trailer owners who disagree, balancing your travel trailer tires is actually necessary for improved performance, tire longevity, and safety factors. Passenger vehicle tires need to be balanced for ride stability and comfort, as well as for function.
How often should you rotate trailer tires?
In general, most tire manufacturers recommend rotating your RV or travel trailer’s tires every 3,000 miles, but some say that this should be done every 6,000 miles. When you rotate your RV trailer tires, it is essential to check the following things: First, check tire pressure and air levels before rotating them.
Why do trailer tires wear out so fast?
That said, rapid or significantly uneven trailer tire wear can be caused by: Riding with the wrong tire pressure. Exceeding your tires’ load capacity. Trailer misalignment or bent wheels from hitting curbs, potholes or debris.
What is better for a trailer bias or radial?
If your trailer sees mostly country roads, slow speeds, rough or unpaved roads, or infrequent use, then bias ply tires may be the way to go. However, if your travels take you down larger highways, at higher speeds, for longer distances, and more often, then a radial would be your tire of choice.
What does the D mean on trailer tires?
The D is the designation for the internal construction of the tire. The D stands for diagonal or bias ply construction. That means the tire body plies inside the tire will crisscross. The 15 is the wheel diameter in inches and the C after the tire size will designate the load range.
Why do trailers still use bias ply tires?
Bias ply tires have stiff sidewalls, so they are advantageous for carrying heavy loads. Stiffer sidewalls also help reduce trailer sway.
Why can’t you use car tires on a trailer?
Regular car tires can’t handle a travel trailer as they’re Load Range B rated. Since they are designed to be more flexible for smooth driving, they can’t handle the temperatures associated with travel trailers or stabilize heavier loads.
Can I put car wheels on my trailer?
Don’t. Trailer tires and passenger car tires have different structures to respond to different stresses. Using a trailer tire on your car, or a car tire on your trailer, could lead to disastrous consequences. Passenger vehicles interact with the road through their tires.
Can you put car rims on a trailer?
As long as you find the right wheel with the right weight rating, you are good. However, the taller you get in rim, the wider you get in rim, and then you are going to get into width clearance issues. I run LT E-rated truck tires on my dually AND my boat trailer.
Are Bigger tires better for trailers?
The biggest advantage and reason most people go with a larger trailer tire is the increased weight capacity that the larger tires offer. The larger diameter offers a negligible amount of better ride quality for the trailer since the larger the tire the less “affected” it is by smaller bumps.
Can I put bigger rims on my boat trailer?
You can add larger wheels and tires to a trailer as long as you have enough room for the larger size. The main clearance issues we find when putting larger tires and wheels on a trailer is from the top of the tire to the fender and from the inside wall of the tire to the trailer wall/frame.