For all of you who own a utility trailer to haul your ATV?

[Huskers]

I'm looking to buy a trailer to haul my ATV to the lakes.  Looking for 5X8 or a hair bigger - found a listing for one, however it has 12 inch tires with GVW of 2200.   I was hoping to get one with 15 inch, maybe even 13 inch.   Do you think 12 inch is big enough - especially if I get on the interstate or major highway?     I think the GVW is large enough?   Any help would be appreciated or if you have a 5 x8 with 15" and you are looking to get ride of it.

[stumper]

There is alot of boats running around on 12's....As long as you maintain the bearings it will work fine. Thats the biggest issue with the "bearing burner" 12's

[Slip Bobber]

Save yourself a lot of time and money and go with the 15's.

"Buying cheap to save money, is like stopping the clock to save time".

[fishnuts]

Well said SB. You will wish you had 15's if you don't.

[stumper]

How many miles you plan on pulling this trailer? I have one of these 700 dollar TSC trailers with  13's that has around 4000 loaded miles on it,aside from the rock chips on the fenders from so many gravel roads its as good as new.  13's are not nearly as bad as those 12's that they used to have. Your not hauling a car, your hauling a 1000 lb quad.

[Husky Jerk]

We use a snowmobile trailer with 12" tires to get our ATV to the lake.  We load all of our fishing stuff on the trailer when we go out on the lake, and pull the trailer to our fishing spots with the ATV.. 

One point to mention; we wish that we had 15" tires when we have to pull the trailer on a snow-covered lake.  The 15" tires roll over the snow while the 12" tires drag through the snow, and really makes it tough to pull?!  I just thought I would give you my 2 cents worth, if it will help influence your decision one way or anther?!

Later,  HJ

[Kilroy]

It is easier to find a 13", 14" or 15" tire if you ever blow one out on a weekend. I agree with the smaller bearings having to work twice as hard going 80 or 90 miles an hour down the highway, lol, thats nuts, they build up heat alot faster as was mentioned. I have one boat trailer with 12" tires on it, I never did like how it trailed on the gravel road. Personally I would not go below 13" unless you are not going to go too far from home.

Kilroy

[TLA]

The 12" should work fine for what you want but I'd get a spare wheel and tire and bearing buddies or similar product. Never, ever had a bearing problem after I started using them.

[pbc]

Kilroy- at 60 mph per hour.  A 12 inch tire will turn at 1680 rpm.  A 13 inch tire will turn at 1551 rpm.  A 15 inch will turn at 1344 rpm.  So the difference between a 12 inch and 15 inch tire is 336 rpm.  So a 12 inch tire turns 1680/1344 or 125% faster.  The same ratio holds true no matter how fast you go. 

I have many different sizes of trailers with many sizes of tires.  I agree with TLA and buy a set of bearing buddies and keep them greased.  Add a spare tire and go fishing.  As far as pulling a 15 inch over snow and a 12 inch falling through - if your ATV isn't big enough to overcome either situation you will have problems.  Let your billfold be the guide.

[stumper]

Thats how many RPM the wheel is turning.Now if we knew actual tire size you could figure out the difference is much greater.