Boatmate trailer tire sizes

[j.mo]

So the new boatmate’s are coming with 255/55r18 nexen tires.

My tires that came on my ‘13 are 255/45r18

I’d like to put the larger size on for more carrying capacity, and ironically they actually cost less.

I did call boat mate and verify if they would fit, the gentleman said yes, but he didn’t sound too confident and I’ve been given wrong information before in my lifetime.
So I figured I’d ask some of the folks here just to double check before I order a set of tires.


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[arsnlgunnr]

The “45” and “55” number is the tire profile or height of the sidewall. Basically the smaller number are low profile and higher numbers would be a “thicker” profile tire. The 255 number is the tires width.

Unless there is a clearance issue with the fender for the “thicker” 55 tire, pretty sure you’ll be good.

https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-size-calculator


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[larry_arizona]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210106/0267804d849de841c4f5fb28d1f6854c.jpg



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[larry_arizona]

Just a quick reminder explanation.

255/55/18 equals 255mm treadwidth, 55% of treadwidth is sidewall height and 18” rim.

Always funny that they mixed metric and standard dimensions for calling out tires.


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[j.mo]

The “45” and “55” number is the tire profile or height of the sidewall. Basically the smaller number are low profile and higher numbers would be a “thicker” profile tire. The 255 number is the tires width.

Unless there is a clearance issue with the fender for the “thicker” 55 tire, pretty sure you’ll be good.

https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-size-calculator


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I know. like Larry shows it’s an inch wider and 2 inches larger.
I was just looking for reference of those who have them and if there were possibly any changes made from boatmate in the dimensions of the fenders during the transition


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[larry_arizona]

They are the same width at 255mm or 10”.

The sidewall is 1” taller x 2 = 2” taller tire.


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[sandm]

I've been researching this same topic for my chevy as it's ready for new shoes. tire sizing, although simple math, sure does pose a lot of questions and mis-information on what will and won't fit.

[larry_arizona]

I've been researching this same topic for my chevy as it's ready for new shoes. tire sizing, although simple math, sure does pose a lot of questions and mis-information on what will and won't fit.

If you stay with stock size and fitment code it’s easy.

If you are upsizing,it gets more complicated.

I hate upsizing stock truck tires as it kills rear end gear ratio.


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[j.mo]

I just went out and measured my trailer. From the tire to fender there is just about 1 1/2”
By adding an inch to that up top, it just may barely clear

I was hoping by this thread to get more than Theory lol


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[sandm]

our issue is the mead launch ramps are soooo shallow that to float the boat off, we have the rear fender and a good 6" of the bed rear corner underwater. I'd be doing the exact opposite of the OP looking for the lowest tire we can put on.

I've toyed around with doing a 2" lift as they don't seem to wreak much havoc on the truck and then upsizing the tire a tad.
for reference, 2016 chevy 1500 excab 4x4 z71. I have a gas app that I track economy on it and my bike. since thanksgiving 2019(ya 14 months ago) I have only put 2450 miles on it so we don't drive it much.

to the op- are you pushing capacity on those 18's? we had the 45 series on our last tige z3 and had no issues with boat, gear fuel and a grand in lead. it was BARELY within specs but was "legal". not much else we would have needed to haul and no issues loading up 6 people to back down the ramp.

[larry_arizona]

I just went out and measured my trailer. From the tire to fender there is just about 1 1/2”
By adding an inch to that up top, it just may barely clear

I was hoping by this thread to get more than Theory lol


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Do you have torsion or leaf spring trailer axles?


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[j.mo]

our issue is the mead launch ramps are soooo shallow that to float the boat off, we have the rear fender and a good 6" of the bed rear corner underwater. I'd be doing the exact opposite of the OP looking for the lowest tire we can put on.

I've toyed around with doing a 2" lift as they don't seem to wreak much havoc on the truck and then upsizing the tire a tad.
for reference, 2016 chevy 1500 excab 4x4 z71. I have a gas app that I track economy on it and my bike. since thanksgiving 2019(ya 14 months ago) I have only put 2450 miles on it so we don't drive it much.

to the op- are you pushing capacity on those 18's? we had the 45 series on our last tige z3 and had no issues with boat, gear fuel and a grand in lead. it was BARELY within specs but was "legal". not much else we would have needed to haul and no issues loading up 6 people to back down the ramp.

Yes, with 1k in lead and extra batteries/equipment/fuel we are pushing the weight limit. One thing that really ruins a day is blown trailer tires.
With boats and payloads getting heavier this is why boatmate made the switch as well.


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[j.mo]

Do you have torsion or leaf spring trailer axles?


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Torsion


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[larry_arizona]

Torsion


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Worse case, you can adjust the torsion suspensions for increased tire height clearance.


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[j.mo]

Boatmate told me these would fit.
Basically, they are way too big.


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[j.mo]

They *fit*
But they tuck reallly close. I’m afraid of any movement over large bumps at hwy speed https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210204/9662174c3c98832467c43acffd9e4a0e.jpg


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[larry_arizona]

This is your size tire from the factory

Edit: these are 255/55/18, I see you have 255/45/18

Looks like you may need to adjust your torsion axels a notch higher.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210204/ec4fdb7fde8c2a54ad6446ed94fc4410.jpg


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[j.mo]

This is your size tire from the factory

Edit: these are 255/55/18, I see you have 255/45/18

Looks like you may need to adjust your torsion axels a notch higher.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210204/ec4fdb7fde8c2a54ad6446ed94fc4410.jpg


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I looked under the trailer, I thought I had torsion axles last time I took a peek.
There is nothing but a tube and a hub/rotor. No leaf spring and looks like nothing to adjust when I was at the tire shop earlier
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210204/23ab32cb11b94fbe883468c9e0c984b9.jpg



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[sandm]

those are torsion. you can take them apart, pull out the hub and install it 1 "tooth" down to raise it.

a good tire shop or trailer builder can do it for you but it's a little labor.

[j.mo]

those are torsion. you can take them apart, pull out the hub and install it 1 "tooth" down to raise it.

a good tire shop or trailer builder can do it for you but it's a little labor.

I just went ahead and started a return for the tires, and re ordered a 245/50r18 nexen.
They are a 104 load index and they will do u suppose.
Rather than mess with it. Usually I would go ahead and do it and get the bigger tire on there but I already had them order them and I’ve been a pain in the ass with this, because the wheels even showed up in the wrong pattern. I ordered 5x4.5, 5x5 showed up. So they were all mounted and ready to go, and nothing was right today [emoji1787]


Edit: but maybe I will. The higher I can get the trailer the better. It scrapes my driveway.
Taking it over to sundowner trailer right now

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[larry_arizona]

I don’t think a 245/50/18 will solve your problem. It’s taller than a 255/45/18

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210204/d34ceae9e5cdddb8696298fe5984b305.jpg


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[j.mo]

I don’t think a 245/50/18 will solve your problem. It’s taller than a 255/45/18

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210204/d34ceae9e5cdddb8696298fe5984b305.jpg


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That’s what the tire shop recommended so I figured I’d roll with it.

How much height can I expect to gain on this? They are going to charge 4-6hrs labor


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[larry_arizona]

4-6 hours? Criminals

I would say a taller tire is only making your clearance worse.

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[j.mo]

4-6 hours? Criminals


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I mean, realistically it’s just jacking it up and removing the wheel and loosening a bolt. Re clock and install.
Should take them 2 hours MAX

I’ve called 5 other shops. No one will even touch it. I’ve learned on forums that in my area and in California is seems I can never get anything good done that the rest of the guys around the country can lol.
Whether it’s fabrication, paint, tires and wheels, stereo etc


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[j.mo]

4-6 hours? Criminals

I would say a taller tire is only making your clearance worse.

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The higher I can get my prop guard the better no?


All anyone is telling me is how boats aren’t designed for 18 inch wheels and to change the wheels.
I’ve told them, the wheels are staying. The manufacturer sells them with these wheels. They are fine. The manufacturer is who told me to have them adjusted in the first place.
Seems like any time I try to farm out I run into this. Please, I know more than you just let me pay you to do what I ask so I don’t have to myself. It’s simple, yet so frustrating [emoji23]


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[j.mo]

Alright. We made some headway.
Ironically Brace Muffler and welding, who does all my vehicle exhausts does a lot of trailer work too. Never knew that. Took it over and he knew exactly what I was talking about and the objective. Which makes me happy because these guys are great.
Appt for the 19th to get it adjusted.

Also, I’ve never had a trailer with disc brakes. How do I go about servicing the fluid while we are at this? Something I should have him do while he’s there?


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[larry_arizona]

It’s not that hard. Takes about 15-20min with two people. Same process as a car really.

https://youtu.be/wlEf1Df7LvY


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[larry_arizona]

This is what your trailing arm should look like.

The arm fits over a splined shaft on the axle tube, you may need to rotate 1 to 3 splines to get the ride height you want.

I am not positive all dexter torsion axles are adjustable as I believe some use a square shaft versus splined. The square shafts come in various angles to work on low to high heights, these are not adjustable.


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[j.mo]

This is what your trailing arm should look like.

The arm fits over a splined shaft on the axle tube, you may need to rotate 1 to 3 splines to get the ride height you want.

I am not positive all dexter torsion axles are adjustable as I believe some use a square shaft versus splined. The square shafts come in various angles to work on low to high heights, these are not adjustable.


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Mine are splined.
Brace will take care of it quickly and reasonably. I’ll help him if he lets me lol.


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[larry_arizona]

Mine are splined.


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Sweet, should be easy then.


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[j.mo]

Sweet, should be easy then.


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Thanks for the help and insight guys. I appreciate you.


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[Tommy2slow]

This may sound stupid and may have been discussed earlier in the thread but is your towing ball possibly too high? This will tilt the trailer back bringing the prop guard closer to ground. Hook the loaded trailer up to your tow vehicle and check the trailer frame with a level.

[j.mo]

This may sound stupid and may have been discussed earlier in the thread but is your towing ball possibly too high? This will tilt the trailer back bringing the prop guard closer to ground. Hook the loaded trailer up to your tow vehicle and check the trailer frame with a level.

My driveway is severely angled. I’ll post a picture today. The driveway is sloped and then goes flat to the section where the gate and rv pad is. That’s where we have the clash of the prop guard lol


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[j.mo]

Update here.
A shop couldn’t get me in until the 29th of this month. So I just went about it myself.
I moved about 5 teeth, with a gain of about 2 inches.

Wheels and tires are still at the tire shop. So I’ll grab 2 and mount them and see where we stand.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210404/361044906deab4a2c0ba526152b34b4c.jpg

You can see here where we were before at the shop. Old tire vs new.

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[j.mo]

Well, everything worked out great.
I’ll post a picture tomorrow when I get the other 2 on the trailer.

Thanks for all the help and info guys!


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[j.mo]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210409/2c9462195d9f7839580fb6b79944518f.jpg
[emoji106]


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