Trailer tire size ?
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 0
From: Maine
Trailer tire size ?
I am building my custom trailer and was wondering what I should do for the size of tire for the trailer. I currently run 285/75/16 Duratracs. Of course I want them to match, but I was wondering if I should go the same height but not as wide. What are others doing?
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 1
From: Sydney, Australia
Wider tyres will obviously give better traction when aired-down offroad on driven wheels however since the trailer wheels are freewheeling you'd really only need wider tyres to possibly offer a greater load rating (though at those loads the JK itself would be overloaded for towing anyway). I'd say go narrower to save weight & reduce road friction (ie: get better mileage) but keep the same height & profile to match the look of your Jeep's tyres.
Last edited by JKlad; Feb 3, 2012 at 06:27 PM.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 0
From: Maine
Is this a full-framed, heavy-duty offroad trailer or mainly for on-road use? Also, what loads are will you be carrying.
Wider tyres will obviously give better traction when aired-down offroad on driven wheels however since the trailer wheels are freewheeling you'd really only need wider tyres to possibly offer a greater load rating (though at those loads the JK itself would be overloaded for towing anyway). I'd say go narrower to save weight & reduce road friction (ie: get better mileage) but keep the same height & profile to match the look of your Jeep's tyres.
Wider tyres will obviously give better traction when aired-down offroad on driven wheels however since the trailer wheels are freewheeling you'd really only need wider tyres to possibly offer a greater load rating (though at those loads the JK itself would be overloaded for towing anyway). I'd say go narrower to save weight & reduce road friction (ie: get better mileage) but keep the same height & profile to match the look of your Jeep's tyres.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 1
From: Sydney, Australia
If it's not solely for hard-core offroad use then clearance under the trailer isn't as much of as issue, so you could easily get away will smaller rims & tyres (height wise) which will lower the towed height of the trailer, reducing drag and cutting even more weight with the smaller wheels & tyres (many boat trailers only have 12" rims to keep the height down). Then again, it's all down to the look you want & if you want the trailer wheels & tyres to match the ones on your Jeep.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 1
From: P-burg, NJ.
Here is my 2 cents on this. It's great if you can match your trailer wheel and tire size with your Jeeps wheel and tire size.
Bigest advantage would be, No need to carry another spare wheel and tire. Your Jeeps spare will work on both Jeep and trailer.
I am running 37's on my Jeep but went to 35's on my trailer. Same wheel but smaller tires. 37's were just to big for my 1/4 ton military trailer even with 5 inches of total lift.
Bigest advantage would be, No need to carry another spare wheel and tire. Your Jeeps spare will work on both Jeep and trailer.
I am running 37's on my Jeep but went to 35's on my trailer. Same wheel but smaller tires. 37's were just to big for my 1/4 ton military trailer even with 5 inches of total lift.
Trending Topics
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 425
Likes: 2
From: NEPA
I am doing the same thing with my off-road popup camper. I will go the same size, brand and rim size. I will carry a spare on the Jeep and one on the trailer. People have been doing this for a while for overland travel. Carrying 2 spares is recommended when going to remote locations....