I have a small 4x8 utility trailer with the 5.30x12 tires. They're about 6 years old, made in China, and I'm thinking it's time to replace them. What I'd like to do is put 175/80D-13 tires on it, so the wheel bearings aren't going at Warp 9 on the highway. Problem is, the bigger tires rub against the trailer frame.What is the thought on using a 1" wheel spacer on a trailer?

Bad idea, changes how the hub carries the load, overloading the outside bearing. On such a small axle, most loads are pushing the limits anyways.

That's what I was thinking.The axle is rated for 1750lbs, and I sincerely doubt that the trailer weighs 1000lbs fully loaded and ready to travel.

1750 lb axle? Wow, that's light.My opinion, for what it's worth, is that you should inspect and repack the axle bearings with a heavy duty, high speed grease. Then just replace the tires with the same size. 6 years is a long time and if your bearings lasted that long, chances are the speed wasn't doing any damage.

IDoMyOwnStunts wrote:1750 lb axle? Wow, that's light.It's probably more than sufficient for a 4x8 utility trailer.

I had one of those trailers for 12 years with no problems (was rear ended and scrapped by the second owner three years later). Repack the hubs annually or after a cross country trip and yours will last a long time too. BTW: Mine had the even smaller 8" rims and lower rated axle, but I never towed it faster than 60 mph and it was typically loaded to only 750 lbs.

Wheel spacers on a trailer | Good Sam Community

Bedlam
Moderator
Mar 07, 2016
I had one of those trailers for 12 years with no problems (was rear ended and scrapped by the second owner three years later). Repack the hubs annually or after a cross country trip and yours will last a long time too. BTW: Mine had the even smaller 8" rims and lower rated axle, but I never towed it faster than 60 mph and it was typically loaded to only 750 lbs.
gbopp
Explorer
Mar 07, 2016
IDoMyOwnStunts wrote:
1750 lb axle? Wow, that's light.

It's probably more than sufficient for a 4x8 utility trailer.
IDoMyOwnStunts
Explorer
Mar 07, 2016
1750 lb axle? Wow, that's light.

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that you should inspect and repack the axle bearings with a heavy duty, high speed grease. Then just replace the tires with the same size. 6 years is a long time and if your bearings lasted that long, chances are the speed wasn't doing any damage.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Mar 07, 2016
That's what I was thinking.

The axle is rated for 1750lbs, and I sincerely doubt that the trailer weighs 1000lbs fully loaded and ready to travel.
eHoefler
Explorer II
Mar 07, 2016
Bad idea, changes how the hub carries the load, overloading the outside bearing. On such a small axle, most loads are pushing the limits anyways.

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