Utility Trailer Tires/Wheels

[BB_TX]

I have a small (4x8) utility trailer rated (if I remember correctly) at 1040 GVWR. It has the small 8" wheels on it. Is there any reason, other than fender clearance) that I can't change the wheels to 12"?

 

[rdln]

No, if they fit, they fit.

 

[HomeBrew2]

Should be fine. Harbor Freight sells, what appear to be, the same trailer with both size tires but with different weight ratings. And as such, may not have a fender prob.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Sorry, but big wheels can cause problems. These other guys simply are wrong about the issue of wheels. The earth, while spinning under the rotation of the larger diameter wheels will likely speed up if you travel with the earths rotation and will likely slow down if you change direction, thus creating an imbalance in the universe. I for one, would not mess with it. The consequences could be tragic. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[JDgreen227]

Bob,

Most of us TBN members were not born in a barn so don't try to "April Fool" us six weeks early.

I've got one of those little build-it-from-a kit 4X8 utility trailers that came with 4.80X8 tires, I wanted to increase the load capacity somewhat so I switched to a set of 5.70X8 tires and retained the original rims. My trailer had fenders that would have rubbed any tires using 12 inch rims when it was loaded to capacity. An extra benefit was that I could retain one of the OEM tires for a spare by just buying a third rim.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Going with larger wheels seems like it would not be a problem. Going smaller would increase the rotation at a particular speed and could reduce the life of the barings, but bigger -- OK.


</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Sorry, but big wheels can cause problems. These other guys simply are wrong about the issue of wheels. The earth, while spinning under the rotation of the larger diameter wheels will likely speed up if you travel with the earths rotation and will likely slow down if you change direction, thus creating an imbalance in the universe. I for one, would not mess with it. The consequences could be tragic. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )</font>

So I understand the east-west travel problem you've described, but does this mean that if you go north, the trailer would flip over toward the west because of the right hand rule of the conservation of angular momentum? It's been a while since I studied trailer dynamics (modeled as a fluid, of course), but I think also that the rotation of the larger wheels could induce a current in the trailer frame causing static electricity buildup and eventually causing the paint to turn a unique shade of green, and eventually causing it to fly off and stick to your clothes.

Cliff