Posted 2009-12-20 10:23 AM (#114402) Subject: Need to raise trailer by 2 - 3"...tires?
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Afton, OK 74331
I have a 4 x 4 Dodge truck that is kind of tall. My GN trailer is not level with it, so If I level it and hit a bump in the road it will hit the truck rails. It seems to me that if I raise the truck by changing rims and or tires sizes it will do the trick.I would like to raise the trailer by about 2 - 3". It has 235/75/R15 tires on it now. If I change to 16" rims that would get me an inch? or can I change the tire size or what effect will a 16" or 17" rim have on the trailer? I have the room, but is there any problem with changing tire sizes or rim sizes?Any idea?
Posted 2009-12-20 11:32 AM (#114405 - in reply to #114402) Subject: RE: Need to raise trailer by 2 - 3"...tires?
Member
Posts: 36 Location: Wellington, Texas
15 to 16 inch wheels may not make any difference unless you have a taller tire. You could maybe just get taller 15" tires, don't know if you can get 2-3 inches more height and may even not have enough room for that additional height with your trailer fenders. May have to check into some sort of lift kit for the trailer
Posted 2009-12-20 6:05 PM (#114423 - in reply to #114402) Subject: RE: Need to raise trailer by 2 - 3"...tires?
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
A 235/75R15 tire is 28.9" tall
If you switch out to a 235/85R16 ( which is a very common trailer tire) they are 31.5' tall
The 16" tire is 2.6" taller than the 15" tire. But only 50% of that height is under the axle. So you would only raise your trailer by 1.3" But you would gain considerable in the load carrying capacity.
I would seriously worry about fender interferance by adding taller tires. Too tall of tire will hit the fender and rub. This may happen while sitting still or at maybe just at highway speed when you hit a bump in the road.
The better choice is to Block the trailer axles. And ther has been links give to several previous discussions on axle blocks.
Posted 2009-12-20 7:28 PM (#114428 - in reply to #114402) Subject: RE: Need to raise trailer by 2 - 3"...tires?
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by rtrkitten on 2009-12-20 10:23 AM
I have a 4 x 4 Dodge truck that is kind of tall. My GN trailer is not level with it, so If I level it and hit a bump in the road it will hit the truck rails. It seems to me that if I raise the truck by changing rims and or tires sizes it will do the trick.I would like to raise the trailer by about 2 - 3". It has 235/75/R15 tires on it now. If I change to 16" rims that would get me an inch? or can I change the tire size or what effect will a 16" or 17" rim have on the trailer? I have the room, but is there any problem with changing tire sizes or rim sizes?Any idea?
Blocking the axles will be cheaper than buying 16" tires and wheels. Since you are in OK, there should be plenty of trailer dealers around you that can do this. If not take a day trip down I35 to Hwy 51 toward Decatur, hit 287 toward Ft.Worth and just as you go thru Decatur, NRS Trailer World is on the right. They are listed on this site and they can do the work for you.
Need to raise trailer by 2 - 3"...tires?
