Car Tires on Utility Trailer

[Welshman]

I have a 5' x 8' single axle, tilt utility trailer that is in need of tires. It hasn't been registered for a few years as I've only used it around the property towed by my Haulster, but now I need to be able to use it on the road again for several 50 mile round trips (state routes and neighborhood streets - no highways) to my former residence. The tire place that I do business with has a set of passenger car ties that will fit at a fair amount less than comparable trailer tires. I'm sure I won't be carrying any loads more than say 500lbs. Does anyone have any experience with car tires on a light duty trailer like this?

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Trailer tires have stronger sidewalls and track better than passenger vehicle tires. If you recognize that, load the weight on the trailer properly, and keep your speed down, passenger vehicle tires will work just fine.

 

[kenmac]

Alot of people use car tires on trailers this size around my parts. I used them on my dual axle trailer for several yrs & never had any problems. They should work just fine on this size trailer

 

[Welshman]

Thanks for that. The main roads I travel are posted 50mph - is that reasonable? Also, what might I notice as far as tracking? By the way, these tires are 185/80-13's.

 

[kenmac]

I have a 5 X 14 with 13'' tires ( not sure of the other measurments). I use to haul 2 large 4 wheelers down the rd at 60. Never had any problems. Just don't over load & you will be fine. IMO, tracking would have to do with the build of the trailer

 

[Diamondpilot]

For lightweight stuff its fine.

Chris

 

[94BULLITT]

Car tires have softer sidewall than trailer tires. The stiffer sidewall of a trailer tire reduce sway. Have you checked at lowes, tsc, etrailer.com or a trailer dealer for tires and wheels already mounted. They are not that expensive I'd put trailer tires on it cause some day you will need to haul a heavy load.

 

[JIGBUILDER]

ST tires are speed restricted to 65 mph. The P tire isn't however when used in a trailer position the P tires capacity is required to be derated 10 percent.

My 5' x 10' tilt trailer came with 13" wheels and ST tires. I don't use ST tires so a trip to my local tire dealer for a pair of P tires. That was 7 years ago and the trailer does fine at 75 mph legal speed on the the interstate near me.

 

[mikehaugen]

The issue I know of is with multiple axle trailer. When you turn a 2 or 3 axle trailer you put a lot of side stress on the tires, stress that car tires aren't made for. That being said, however, I was in desperate need of a tire for my small (5x10) dual axle trailer but did not want to buy a new tire because I had plans to replace all the tires and rims the next year as well as paint the frame so I bought a used car tire for cheap to hold me over. That was 2 years ago now and still have not replaced the tires. Funny sometimes how projects keep getting put off, I must have a huge stove because haven't run out of back burners yet. Anyway though, I don't use that trailer for a lot of weight usually and so far it has been fine.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

I replaced the passenger car tires on my 5' x 10' single axle trailer with new trailer rated tires. There was a noticeable difference in that it reduced the tendency of the trailer to sway. Cheap insurance in my opinion if you are going to use the trailer very much at speeds over 50mph.