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Key Takeaways
- Tires for various applications are identified by Overall Diameter x Section Width x Rim Diameter / Section Width x Section Height x Rim Diameter / or Section Width x Aspect Ratio x Rim Diameter.
- When ordering slow speed rims, there are various measurements and pieces of information that need to be taken into account.
- Trailer tires use various size formats, including older and P-Metric, requiring knowledge of diameter, width, height, and aspect ratio.
- Trailer rims must match the tire's load capacity and axle capacity, with and have various bolt patterns.
- Slow speed rims are used in items like toy wagons and industrial equipment, while high-speed trailer rims are designed for durability in trailers.
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Lawn & Garden, Industrial, ATV, and Go-Kart Tires:
For identifying these types of tires, use the following methods:
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Overall Diameter x Section Width x Rim Diameter: Example: a Lawn & Garden tire labeled 13x5.00-6:
- Overall Diameter is 13 inches
- Section Width is 5.00 inches
- Rim Diameter is 6 inches
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Section Width x Section Height x Rim Diameter: Example: a Go-Kart tire marked 4.10/3.50-6:
- Section Width is 4.10 inches
- Section Height is 3.50 inches
- Rim Diameter is 6 inches
Trailer Tires:
Trailer tires also have multiple identification methods:
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Overall Diameter x Section Width x Rim Diameter: Example: a tire for campers or snowmobile trailers, 16x6.50-8:
- Overall Diameter is 16 inches
- Section Width is 6.50 inches
- Rim Diameter is 8 inches
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Section Height x Section Width x Rim Diameter: Older designation example: 4.80x4.00-8:
- Section Height is 4.80 inches
- Section Width is 4.00 inches
- Rim Diameter is 8 inches
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Section Width x Aspect Ratio x Rim Diameter: Modern format example: ST205/75D14:
- ST means Special Trailer
- Section Width is 205 mm
- Aspect Ratio (Section Height to Section Width) is 75%
- Rim Diameter is 14 inches
Slow Speed Rims:
Used in items like toy wagons, wheelbarrows, hand trucks, and industrial equipment, when ordering, you need the following information:
- Tire size, desired capacity, and ply or load rating
- Tubeless or tube-type
- Tire tread pattern
- Rim hub length (distance from outside of one bearing to the other)
- Hub offset (whether centered or offset, and the distance from the rim center to the hub tube end on the non-valve side)
- Bearing type (ball bearing, bushing, precision bearing, roller bearing, or tapered bearing)
- Bearing size (outside diameter of the axle)
- Zerk fitting requirement (whether a grease fitting is needed)
Trailer Rims:
High-speed trailer rims, designed for durability in trailer use, must match the tire's load capacity. Trailer tires and hubs should align with axle capacity and have matching bolt patterns. Standard bolt circles are:
- 4-hole x 4” bolt circle
- 5-hole x 4.5” bolt circle
- 6-hole x 5.5” bolt circle
- 8-hole x 6.5” bolt circle
