Recommendation to replace the 4.80 x 12 tires and wheels

[tntdiablo]

I have a single Magic Tilt, and a double Triton. They both came with 175/80 R13 wheels.

Can you post a picture of the triton? Thanks

[txgp1300r]

FYI A 175/80/13 tire is 24.02 inches tall. most trailer wheels in this size are drilled for 5 x 4 1/2 inch ford/ Chrysler, pattern or 5 x 114.3 mm ,both are the same pattern

[guybb3]

OK guys I have to fess up. I got a closer look @ my daughter's trailer as I am getting her TRIXX ready to go and the axle DOES look misaligned. I am going to take the fenders off this weekend and put a straight edge on the wheels and sight down the side of the trailer. I guess I didn't look hard enough before! I think like 5 of you guys mentioned axle alignment!!

[K447]

The essential shape of a trailer is an isosceles triangle. The tow ball is the apex and each wheel/tire where it contacts the road are the other two corners.

The triangle must be centered behind the tow ball when going down the road.

The trailer frame should of course be centered with this triangle and aligned along the centerline axis. Sometimes the trailer frame or the tongue disagrees with the towing triangle (bent, incorrectly assembled, axle offset to one side or the other, etc).

So cross check that not only is the axle (and especially the axle stub ends where the hubs ride) ‘square’ with the trailer frame and at right angles to the towing centerline, also confirm that the tires/wheels are indeed correctly positioned relative to the towing triangle.

Sometimes the stub end of an axle can get bent upwards or rearwards due to road impacts. The tire angle will then be incorrect. Sometimes the axle can be unbent, sometimes the axle should be replaced.

[guybb3]

Thank you 447. I always enjoy your informative posts!

[John's truck]

I went from 4.8-12 to st145r12 on the same rims. They’re 81 mph rated radials, and they’re only about 1/4 inch bigger in diameter so they fit fine. I’ve only pulled about 100 miles so far but they’re great. About to cross the country with them

[guybb3]

OK guys I have to fess up. I got a closer look @ my daughter's trailer as I am getting her TRIXX ready to go and the axle DOES look misaligned. I am going to take the fenders off this weekend and put a straight edge on the wheels and sight down the side of the trailer. I guess I didn't look hard enough before! I think like 5 of you guys mentioned axle alignment!!

Well here it is. The reason why I didn't catch this before (even though all you guys told me) was that the axle was not misaligned. I had looked at the locating pin and the axle had not moved BUT the end was definitely bent back. I could see it plain as day when I took the fender off and looked straight down. So you guys were all right!! It really was a misalignment problem just not what i thought it was. The two tires are fighting each other going down the road. I told my daughter she needs a new axle. Thanks guys!!

[K447]

… the axle was not misaligned. … the end was definitely bent back. I could see it plain as day when I took the fender off and looked straight down.

So you guys were all right!! It really was a misalignment problem just not what i thought it was.

The two tires are fighting each other going down the road. …

For these simple trailers, there are, in a manner of speaking, three axles. The big structural section that bolts to the trailer frame and extends across the frame. There are also two stub axles, one on each end of the ‘axle’ structure.

It is the stub axles that are prone to being bent by road impacts, curb strikes, other road insults. Even a small bend of a stub axle can be enough to increase tire wear and reduce tread life, Depending on how it is bent one or both trailer tires may wear in an unusual pattern, or just seem to wear at an accelerated rate but otherwise look ‘fairly normal’.

When checking an axle for bending, all three axles must be in alignment with the trailer frame. The center section and each stub axle.

Stub axle may be bent rearwards or bent upwards, or some of each. Vertically bent can be harder to judge as many axles have a mild camber built into the axle design. The idea is that when unloaded the tires are angled inwards slightly at the bottom. As the trailer is loaded with weight the axle design flexes just enough that the tires end up being vertical to the road surface.

Good to hear you have now identified the root problem for this trailer!

Good tip for others who may encounter this thread later:
Remove the fenders so you can properly evaluate whether all three portions of the axle are correctly aligned and the wheels really are tracking straight.

[guybb3]

Good tip for others who may encounter this thread later:
Remove the fenders so you can properly evaluate whether all three portions of the axle are correctly aligned and the wheels really are tracking straight.

Awesome advice as I could see the bend plain as day when I removed the fender. Not so much with the fender still attached.

[conroe]

14" rims, 5X4.5 tires-175/70R14 Did not modify fenders

[conroe]

Forgot to include, they are radials

[K447]

14" rims, 5X4.5 tires-175/70R14
Did not modify fenders

After trailering on a rough road or the trailer having ridden over some hard wheel jounces, check the undersides of the plastic fenders for signs of tread contact with the fender inside

[conroe]

After trailering on a rough road or the trailer having ridden over some hard wheel jounces, check the undersides of the plastic fenders for signs of tread contact with the fender inside

The tire size that I stated, are the same diameter as stock.

[guybb3]

Guys I REALLY appreciate all the advice and experience I'm getting from everyone. Thank you!!

[conroe]

Did some checking. You could also go with a 15" wheel. Use a tire with less side wall. for instance, a 175/55R15 tire has a diameter of 22.6" .This tire can be used on a 6" wide rim. Lots of wheel choices. Don't be stuck with wheel barrel tires.