Trailer tyres - do they matter

[Saxj]

Obviously there is a desire to have the trailer tyres match the tow vehicle, so that you have spares available.
Is there any reason for the tyres to have a particular tread pattern? I run muddies on my car, is there any reason why I can't just use road tyres on an off-road trailer?

[AndreasR]

There is no reason why you can’t use road tyres on your off-road trailer.

However it depends what you mean by off-road. If just gravel it would probably be fine to have road tyres. If anything more serious I would definitely upgrade to AT tyres. I had a sidewall cut on the trailer on the approach road to Van Zyls pass. In really rough terrain it is not as easy to “place” your trailer tyres as it is with your vehicle tyres therefore sometimes your trailer tyres have to just soak up wherever they land.

I would definitely put the best(strongest) tyres one can afford.

As you say ideally all tyres on vehicle and trailer should be the same but this is not always possible and can be very expensive.

[HenriSteyn]

To add to Andreas post, the latest and newest vehicles rim sizes have almost standardized on 17", and some are moving to 18".

Trialers however are almost all 15", with some brave manufacturers moving to 16".

This creates a dilemma for trailer towers. I know of one guy who went from 18" to 16" on his tow vehicle, and changed his Off Road Caravan from 15" to 16", to allow full interchangeably.

Not a cheap exercise at all....

We must use the best (we can afford), make the best of, (different sizes) hope for the best (try to drive as well as possible).

[BushWacker]

If you have same size tyres on trailer as on tow vehicle
you have more flexibility in that they are interchangeable
(Even better if rims are same…) and you can put
older/‘more patched ‘, more worn etc tyres on your trailer leaving ‘best’ tyre set for your vehicle , heavier load bearing etc.
Also helps in sand, mud etc if trailer tyre track width matches that of vehicle.
Tyre prices increasing so much these days it’s better to just buy than wait and hope … last year I bought 235/85/16 BFG for 2100 , earlier this year bought (probly my last !) one for R3100 and heard today they already a lot more …
I will probly revert to GoodYears unless Kurt sends me some KO2s for Xmass … ?

[Saxj]

There is no reason why you can’t use road tyres on your off-road trailer.

However it depends what you mean by off-road. If just gravel it would probably be fine to have road tyres. If anything more serious I would definitely upgrade to AT tyres. I had a sidewall cut on the trailer on the approach road to Van Zyls pass. In really rough terrain it is not as easy to “place” your trailer tyres as it is with your vehicle tyres therefore sometimes your trailer tyres have to just soak up wherever they land.

I would definitely put the best(strongest) tyres one can afford.

As you say ideally all tyres on vehicle and trailer should be the same but this is not always possible and can be very expensive.

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. I was considering from a traction perspective, not from a durability perspective.

[Saxj]

To add to Andreas post, the latest and newest vehicles rim sizes have almost standardized on 17", and some are moving to 18".

Trialers however are almost all 15", with some brave manufacturers moving to 16".

This creates a dilemma for trailer towers. I know of one guy who went from 18" to 16" on his tow vehicle, and changed his Off Road Caravan from 15" to 16", to allow full interchangeably.

Not a cheap exercise at all....

We must use the best (we can afford), make the best of, (different sizes) hope for the best (try to drive as well as possible).

I have ordered a new trailer, so have specced it with Jimny PCD hubs and I am supplying the wheels, so I shouldn't have an issue.

[AndreasR]

Traction? What’s pulling what?

[Saxj]

Traction? What’s pulling what?

That's why I asked the question, I don't have much experience towing.

I wasn't sure if traction would be an issue in uneven terrain, side slopes etc.

[AndreasR]

I really don’t think traction on the trailer tyres is that important. Any tread pattern will do.

[LesseW]

Agree with Andreas, a trailer just “follows” however a good side wall for protection against sharp edges is a plus...

[Mad Manny]

I have ordered a new trailer, so have specced it with Jimny PCD hubs and I am supplying the wheels, so I shouldn't have an issue.

What trailer, fully kitted, can a Jimny tow?

[KurtG]

This, I assume:

[Chris Stoffel]

I have ordered a new trailer, so have specced it with Jimny PCD hubs and I am supplying the wheels, so I shouldn't have an issue.

What trailer, fully kitted, can a Jimny tow?

This?

[Ricof4e]

I really don’t think traction on the trailer tyres is that important. Any tread pattern will do.

This.

As long as the side wall is strong enough.

[Mad Manny]

So a big Kakavaan that weighs more than anything that SAXJ can tow is OK with crappy little 12" road tyres, but he must get tough tyres?

Considering his trailer, must, by law, weigh less than a Citi Golf,
even Citi Holf tyres will be over specced since the trailer tyres are not driven or steering.

If SAXJ matches his Jimny wheel and tyres and rotates all 8 regularly he'll have tyres for the next 8 years...