QuestionI am buying a trailer rated at 1720 lbs. my max load will be around 750 to 800lbs. The tires are 5.3 X 12 6ply. the wheel is 5 lug, placarded at 55 MPH MAX. Can I tow at high way speeds for long periods? At 65 mph for several hours, if not what size tires,wheels do I need?
AnswerTony,
Obviously, the max speed of the tire is 55 mph, but there are circumstances where higher speeds are permitted.
One would be using 10 psi more than what the sidewall says. It should say 80 psi, so using 90 psi increases its speed capability by 10 mph.
If you need 10 mph more, the load on the tire would need to be less than 10% of the rated load - this means the payload plus the weight of the trailer. A 5.3-12 Load Range C (6 PR) has a load carrying capacity of 1050#, so if each tire is loaded below about 950#, the total weight of the trailer less the tongue weight would need to be less than 1900#.
BTW, there is no tire larger than this in a 12" rim diameter.
