The Best Trailer Wheels of 2021

Best Trailer Wheels Buying Guide & Reviews of 2020

The trailers become an automatic prerequisite if you own a boat or any vehicle for that matter. The performance of a trailer is greatly influenced by the type and quality of the trailer wheel. Hence, it becomes vital to choose the right trailer wheel for your trailer. With terminologies like weight rating, speed rating, it is easy to lose your way. Our short buying guide will act as your guiding light to find the trailer wheels destined for your trailer.

Types

Based on the load capacity of the tires, the trailer wheels can be classified as:

Special Trailer (ST) Wheels

The ST wheels have high load capacity and are ideal for towing heavy vehicles. They have sturdy and stiff sidewalls that prevent your rig from wobbling. They are heavy duty trailer wheels, designed specifically for trailers to pull heavy loads and are not meant for passenger vehicles. However, the speed rating of these wheels is comparatively lesser.

Light Trailer (LT) Wheels

The light trailer wheels can be identified by the marking LT on the wheel rim. They are used for towing cargo loads and are great for off-road use. Their blowout is that they have high rolling resistance. In nomad terms, this would mean that more effort is required to keep the tires rolling.

According to the construction of tires, the trailer wheels can be categorized into

Radial Trailer Tire Wheels

The cords or piles run perpendicular to the tire across its circumference, enabling a top-notch heat dissipation system. As a result, the tires remain cool even after towing the vehicles over a long distance. They last longer than their counterparts. The radial tires offer great resistance to flat spots and come with high-speed ratings. Their downfall is that they are expensive and are not ideal if you want to tow vehicle on off-road.

Bias Ply Trailer Tire Wheels

The piles are layered over each other in a criss-cross manner that thickens the sidewall. This prevents the wheel rim for wobbling which makes it the go-to wheels for ST trailers. They offer great resistance to flat spots along the sidewall. The bias-ply tires are ideal for off-road touring. You can tow heavy loads through rough terrain without the fear of tipping off of the trailer. They are less expensive; however, have a short life span.

According to the application of trailer wheels, they can be classified as:

Boat Trailer Wheels

ST wheels are most preferably employed as boat trailer wheels to make sure the tire does not wobble while towing the boat. Based on the weight of your boat, you will have to choose the boat trailer wheels and tires with the appropriate weight rating.

Utility Trailer Wheels

Also known as automobile trailer wheels, they are employed to carry small and medium-sized vehicles and cargo loads. They are also used as tractor-trailer wheels. Based on the dimensions of the trailer and the weight of its vehicle, you will have to opt for the utility trailer wheels.

Things You Need To Be Aware Of Before Getting Your Hands On Trailer Wheels

Compatibility

The trailer wheels should be compatible with the trailer you use. These days, the product specification columns come with the list of trailer manufacturers that the wheels can be used with. Opt for the wheels that are compatible with the leading trailer manufacturers so that even if you want to change your trailer, you can still use the same set of trailer wheels.

Material

The trailer wheels are always made of rubber, and the rims are made of either aluminum or steel. Steel is highly durable withstanding wear and tear. It offers high resistance to stress and does not get deformed. However, the downside is that they are very heavy, and it increases the overall weight of the wheel. Steel is 2.5 times greater than aluminum. Aluminum trailer wheels are lightweight and carry almost all the positives of their counterparts. Aluminum trailer wheels and tires offer resistance to corrosion and do not rust, thus retaining their charm.

Weight Rating

The weight rating denotes the maximum load the wheel can handle. Based on the type of trailer and its intended use, you will need to choose the weight rating. You don't need the wheels to have a high weight rating if you are using it as garden trailer wheels. On the other hand, if you want to use it for boat or other utility trailers, the wheels should be capable of handling the weight. The weight will be denoted by using alphabets such as B, C, or D engraved on the wheel rim.

Speed Rating

The speed rating refers to the maximum speed at which you can tow the boat or automobile without the risk of your trailer being tipped. The speed rating is denoted by alphabets engraved on the rim with each alphabet corresponding to a speed limit.

Rim Style

The rims come in an array of styles and designs. Spoke, Modular and T07 are the most popular rim styles. The rims mostly come in silver, white, or black color with a mat finish. While the painted trailer wheels do not boost the performance of your trailer, they give the trailer an aesthetic look.

Life Expectancy

While the life expectancy of trailer wheels range between 2 to 8 years, most trailer wheels get worn out in 3 to 4 years. Irrespective of the mileage of the trailer, Industry experts suggest changing of trailer wheels every three years.

Price

The trailer wheels always come in a set of 2 falling under the price range of $90 to $320. The price varies according to the brand value, material of the rim, weight rating, and its life expectancy.

Warranty

They are covered with a warranty of 2 years. Some brands offer a limited warranty on their trailer wheels, which means that you need to go through their terms and conditions to understand the kind of damages that would be covered in the warranty.

Conclusion

The importance of trailer wheels can never be overemphasized. We believe that by now, you would have got a fair idea about the things that you need to consider before buying the trailer wheels. Further, narrow your search by exploring the list of top ten trailer wheels of the year listed above.