Different size trailer tires

[37 chief]

If I use a 16 inch tire for a spare next to a 15 inch tire is that a problem. Stan

 

[Janicholson]

if the running diamter is close, no. if the are more than 1/2" taller, my vote is yes. If any difference put the slightly taller tire inside. Jim

 

[Steve in VA]

if the running diamter is close, no. if the are more than 1/2" taller, my vote is yes. If any difference put the slightly taller tire inside. Jim

Indeed. Run the numbers on both tires to see how they compare.

 

[wh]

larger/smaller Combo can cause trailer to wiggle.

 

[da.bees]

Not a good idea on a trailer but just fine to run those donut spares on cars.

 

[wp6529]

Insufficient info. Tandem axle? Duals? What tire sizes on each wheel? Fully loaded or light?

 

[Mule Meat]

Tire Size has a good little calculator for comparing tire sizes of different wheels.
Just put in the information of the two tires you wish to compare and get the full scoop. Height, width, revolutions per mile etc etc..

https://tiresize.com/calculator

 

[wp6529]

Since a trailer has no differential, no 4x4, no ABS (unless a semi trailer), etc. the rev/mile and size are much less critical. Trailers are also rarely loaded perfectly balanced so if it's riding 3/4" higher on one side that would matter little. In tandem singles the equalizer should compensate for mismatched tire sizes with little issue. Where there would be an issue is with mismatch in a dual wheel pair where they have to share the load and there is no equalizer to compensate.

 

[Jim.ME]

You asking, "a 16 inch tire for a spare next to a 15 inch tire" implies you have a dual tire axle arrangement (two tires next to each other). A 16 beside a 15 on a dual tire set, only as a last resort. in my opinion. A 16" tire ahead of, or behind, a 15" tire on a multi-axle single tire set up, with equalizers, not a big issue. So, what it the axle and tire arrangement you are asking about?

 

[rustred]

If I use a 16 inch tire for a spare next to a 15 inch tire is that a problem. Stan

I run a tape measure around the thread and do it that way. With different tires and wear tire numbers can be off. I like to be within 1/2 inch on dually. A single tire makes no difference. And if u have say 1 1/2 inch difference. That one tire will wear bald in no time.

 

[37 chief]

You asking, "a 16 inch tire for a spare next to a 15 inch tire" implies you have a dual tire axle arrangement (two tires next to each other). A 16 beside a 15 on a dual tire set, only as a last resort. in my opinion. A 16" tire ahead of, or behind, a 15" tire on a multi-axle single tire set up, with equalizers, not a big issue. So, what it the axle and tire arrangement you are asking about?

I have two 6000 lbs axles. two tires on each side. no dules. The 16 inch tire would be behind or infront the15 inch tire Stan

 

[rustred]

I have two 6000 lbs axles. two tires on each side. no dules. The 16 inch tire would be behind or infront the15 inch tire Stan

just as a spare tire use u are good. just think of them wheel barrow tires they had for spares on the cars.

 

[wh]

I have two 6000 lbs axles. two tires on each side. no dules. The 16 inch tire would be behind or infront the15 inch tire Stan

Going to say if tire on opposite side is smaller trailer may wiggle. The larger tire is going farther on each revolution. Then trailer wiggles to catch up.

 

[rustred]

Going to say if tire on opposite side is smaller trailer may wiggle. The larger tire is going farther on each revolution. Then trailer wiggles to catch up.

huh ?

 

[Mad Farmer]

Going to say if tire on opposite side is smaller trailer may wiggle. The larger tire is going farther on each revolution. Then trailer wiggles to catch up.

Each wheel spins free of the other. Smaller one will just spin faster.

 

[Jim.ME]

I have two 6000 lbs axles. two tires on each side. no dules. The 16 inch tire would be behind or infront the15 inch tire Stan

It should be no problem, as long as there is nothing the larger tire hits. Being on bearing and free of the other tires, it will rotate a bit slower than a smaller diameter tire. The axle equalizer set up will adjust to spread the loading to the tires.

 

[wh]

Each wheel spins free of the other. Smaller one will just spin faster.

Built many trailers at school i taught welding at. Built a 14 ft double axle once. Owner picked it up and brought it back next day. Said it pulls crazy. Will jerk or wiggle sideways. We drove down road and he was correct. Backed it in shop and he left. I measured everything. Tongue was straight and centered. Spring hangers were all correct. Very puzzled. Kept it in shop. That night had adult class. One of the night adult students saw me looking at it. Came over and i told him what it was doing. He said lets measure the tires. All were marked same size but 2 different brands. Discovered 1 tire was about 1 1/2 inch taller. He said there is problem. I had a couple more in stock. One of them matched the other 3. Put it on and we hitched to it and drove on road. Pulled perfect. The larger tire was gaining distance. Did not make sense but it did it.

 

[jon f mn]

I have two 6000 lbs axles. two tires on each side. no dules. The 16 inch tire would be behind or infront the15 inch tire Stan

You would be fine with that arrangement. Especially if its just a spare. Just look at what you see some going down the road with and you would see that's not bad at all. Do I recommend it? No. But if its what you have you will be fine.

 

[Blackhole49]

Built many trailers at school i taught welding at. Built a 14 ft double axle once. Owner picked it up and brought it back next day. Said it pulls crazy. Will jerk or wiggle sideways. We drove down road and he was correct. Backed it in shop and he left. I measured everything. Tongue was straight and centered. Spring hangers were all correct. Very puzzled. Kept it in shop. That night had adult class. One of the night adult students saw me looking at it. Came over and i told him what it was doing. He said lets measure the tires. All were marked same size but 2 different brands. Discovered 1 tire was about 1 1/2 inch taller. He said there is problem. I had a couple more in stock. One of them matched the other 3. Put it on and we hitched to it and drove on road. Pulled perfect. The larger tire was gaining distance. Did not make sense but it did it.

I'm not saying the tire wasn't your problem. I am saying the size wasn't your problem.

 

[NDIHC]

I have a trailer with trailer house axles. We've mixed 7-14.5 and 8-14.5 for the past 40 years since my dad built the trailer. But we usually try to keep the tires on an axle the same size side to side. I wouldn't recommend mixing tires with more than an inch or so difference in height on an axle. If you had a big difference in height from 1 axle to the other, but the tires on each axle were the same size side to side it wouldn't make any difference. Axles with 1 tire taller than the other tend to pull to the side with the shorter tire. Not a big deal at low speeds but more noticeable at higher speeds.