Choosing tires
Trailer tire size: Choose the right tire size for your heavy and commercial trailer
The correct tire size for your trailer impacts the safety, performance, and overall cost-effectiveness of your operations. This is especially true for heavy and commercial trailers, whose tires should withstand large loads even at high speeds and long-haul use. Find reliable commercial trailer tires from the Nokian Tyres website.
Trailer tire size markings
Choosing the correct trailer tire size requires familiarizing yourself with the markings indicating a tire’s size and other qualities. Tire size markings are found on the tire sidewall and the tire’s product information. You can find the following trailer tire size information from the sidewall markings, reading the marking from left to right:
- Tire width: The width of a trailer tire is indicated in millimeters.
- Aspect ratio: The aspect ratio is the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the tire's width.
- Rim diameter: The rim (wheel) diameter is indicated in inches.
Additionally, the tire marking contains a letter indicating tire construction, which is valuable when choosing the appropriate tires for your applications. Radial tires, indicated by “R”, are often the preferred choice for commercial trailers due to their strong construction. Other possible constructions are diagonal (“-”) and bias-belted (“B”) tires.
As an example, here is one of the available tire sizes of the Nokian Tyres Hakka Truck Trailer: 265/70R19.5. This means that the tire is 265 mm wide, its aspect ratio is 70%, and it is a radial tire with a diameter of 19.5 inches.
Get to know the Nokian Tyres Hakka Truck Trailer, an all-weather trailer tire for the most demanding transports. The Hakka Truck Trailer provides excellent grip and high mileage. Furthermore, the tire is compatible with our Noktop retread to help you save costs and the environment.
FIND HEAVY TIRES IN DIFFERENT SIZES
Load index and speed rating for trailer tires
In addition to using the correct tire sizes, check that your trailer tires have the appropriate load index and speed rating.
Sufficient load-bearing capacity and maximum speed capability are must-have features of any tire. Especially commercial vehicles and their trailers should only be driven with tires intended for specific loads and speeds. Remember that a tire's maximum load and top speed apply only with appropriate inflation pressures.
The importance of correct tire size
Choosing the correct tire size for a trailer tire is essential for its performance, safety, and durability. What’s more, the correct trailer tire size ensures that your trucking operations and other trailer applications are as efficient as possible – without unwanted downtime due to breakages or premature tire wear.
In commercial and heavy-duty applications, such as regional and long-haul trucking, trailers carry significant loads, often at high speeds. Therefore, trailer tires must be designed for high enough speeds and loads to avoid compromising safety or performance on the road.
Using incompatible trailer tire size can lead to a variety of issues, including:
- Reduced safety: If the trailer tires are too small, they cannot support the trailer’s weight, not to mention the precious cargo. Overloading the trailer tire can lead to tire blowouts and other damage, making the vehicle prone to accidents.
- Increased wear: Using the wrong tire size can lead to uneven and premature tire wear. This reduces the tire’s lifespan and increases maintenance costs. Improper trailer tires can also reduce fuel economy.
- Legal compliance: In commercial applications, there may be local regulations to using specific trailer tire sizes based on load and type of trailer. Consider also possible regulations for using winter tires in your region.
Trailer tire size chart
To find the right trailer tire in the right size, download the Nokian Tyres Technical Tire Manual. The manual contains available sizes for all Nokian Tyres trailer tires, such as the Nokian Tyres Hakka Truck Trailer or our agricultural and contracting trailer tires, including Nokian Tyres ELS and Nokian Tyres Country King tires.
Please remember that it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure their tires are safe and suitable for their vehicle and to follow the vehicle’s manufacturer´s guidelines for proper use and maintenance. Consult your closest Nokian Tyres dealer or your vehicle’s manufacturer for specific advice.
