texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
zrules11, dixondave, Suzanne miles, paharvey, Feeder Man
71971 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,785
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,386
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,690
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics536,621
Posts9,714,998
Members86,971
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
need to beef up utility trailer for offroad #5518838 01/04/15 05:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 778
M
magspa Offline OP
Tracker
OP Offline
Tracker
M
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 778
When we had my son I traded my regular cab truck for an SUV (Xterra). Which i realy like, y 2dog kennel fits perfectly in the back for bird hunting. But not so good for big game hunting. So i bought this utility trailer to haul animals http://www.lowes.com/pd_253168-15476-3.5X5LSHS_4294641555__?productId=3680952&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=

Well I used friday and saturday for a public refuge hunt. And as suspected - one light broke, one light completely fell off, and one tire is almost flat. The road to the refuge has TONS of potholes, and the refuge is caliche. I have been searching online and cannot find any 12"offroad tires, other than atv tires. Would those work? I did come across radial tires to replace the ply, but not sure they would be much better.Im thinking these tires would also help with cushioning for less impact with the light situation. Please offer some suggestions. thanks


Re: need to beef up utility trailer for offroad [Re: magspa] #5522085 01/06/15 12:10 AM
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4,091
CharlieCTx Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4,091
The ATV tires most likely won't have the speed rating you'll need for highway use. Find a Northern store by you and look over several different tire/rim combos a size or 2 larger.

Charlie


Kel-Tec RFB + Griffin Sportsman Ultra Light 300 + Pulsar Apex XQ-50
M&P-10 + AAC Cyclone
Remy 700 + Leupold VX3 3.5x10x50 CDS
Re: need to beef up utility trailer for offroad [Re: CharlieCTx] #5522683 01/06/15 04:21 AM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,161
S
SouthWestIron Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
S
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,161
Originally Posted by CharlieCTx
The ATV tires most likely won't have the speed rating you'll need for highway use. Find a Northern store by you and look over several different tire/rim combos a size or 2 larger.

Charlie


Also use trailer tires and do some research. I've heard of people using LT instead of ST tires just dont use a passenger car or atv tire on a trailer.

Last edited by blazin; 01/06/15 04:21 AM.
Re: need to beef up utility trailer for offroad [Re: magspa] #5522807 01/06/15 06:30 AM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,438
S
Shotgun Willie Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
S
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,438
You can always step up the size on the wheel, which would get you into a much wider selection of tires. It looks like the fenders would be easily cut off and either re-welded higher, or bigger fenders put on, for more clearance.

There's also the axle flip, rotate the axle from over the leaves to under them, lifts the trailer to keep it from dragging and allows for bigger tires. I did that on my 6.5x12 Big Tex.

As for the lights, mount a couple of THESE up high where they won't get hit, fill them with a couple LED trailer lights with soldered connections, and never have to mess with them again.

Re: need to beef up utility trailer for offroad [Re: magspa] #5523058 01/06/15 02:03 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,658
B
BigPig Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
B
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,658
I'm thinking if you flipped the axle and put on a LT tire it will fix a few things. It going to allow the trailer to roll easier, will soak up pot holes easier then 12inch tires, they are plentiful, and the extra height should keep the lights from dragging through the brush and being broken


Wade Dews, REALTOR ®
Rendon Realty, LLC
Frontline Real Estate Team
www.RendonRealty.com
WadeDews@gmail.com
214-356-2410
Up to 1% for closing costs for First Responders & Veterans
Proudly partnered with Assist The Officer Foundation https://atodallas.org/
Re: need to beef up utility trailer for offroad [Re: magspa] #5523369 01/06/15 04:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 778
M
magspa Offline OP
Tracker
OP Offline
Tracker
M
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 778
Thanks for the suggestions and steel light bracket link. I have looked into the spring over axle kit and really want to do that but cant find one for a #2000 axle. Im thinking of 14" wheels. I found LT 14.5 tires. Would my axle be wide enough for this set-up, if i can find the spring over axle kit? thanks again


Re: need to beef up utility trailer for offroad [Re: magspa] #5523420 01/06/15 04:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811
T
TxAg Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
T
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811
I'm guessing you have a 4-bolt pattern? You don't have many options with those 12" tires. But, you can step up to a 13" wheel and tire that will bolt right up and give you a significantly larger (more ground clearance) and tougher tire. Northern tool sells the 13" tires on 4-bolt wheels, here:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200417227_200417227

Added benefit is that it's hard to flat-fix the 12" tires since they are so narrow. The 13" tires, however, can be fixed like normal.

Just check your fender clearance and relocate if necessary.

I did this on a small 4x8 trailer I used to own, helped considerably.

Re: need to beef up utility trailer for offroad [Re: magspa] #5523527 01/06/15 05:43 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 778
M
magspa Offline OP
Tracker
OP Offline
Tracker
M
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 778
There are 5 lug nuts.


Re: need to beef up utility trailer for offroad [Re: magspa] #5523870 01/06/15 09:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811
T
TxAg Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
T
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811
Even better. Will be very easy to step up your tire size, same tire is offered on a 5-lug wheel. Only limitation is axle width as you mention above. But, those 13" tires should clear fine.

If you really want to get crazy with a wider tire, they do make wheel spacers. Puts a bit more load on the hubs, but might be worth it.

Re: need to beef up utility trailer for offroad [Re: magspa] #5524123 01/06/15 11:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,438
S
Shotgun Willie Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
S
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,438
There isn't a kit for the axle flip. When I did mine, I pulled the axle out from under the trailer, pulled the leaf springs off, flipped the centering pin on the leaf springs from facing up, to facing down (they just unbolt) and then bolted everything back together with the axle under the leaves. Nothing to it, only took about an hour with air tools.

As far as the larger tires fitting, just make sure you get a wheel with the same or slightly less backspace. It really shouldn't be an issue. I went from the small 15x6 wheels with tiny tires up to a 15x8 with 31x10.5 without any problems at all.

Re: need to beef up utility trailer for offroad [Re: magspa] #5524932 01/07/15 11:34 AM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 778
M
magspa Offline OP
Tracker
OP Offline
Tracker
M
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 778
thanks shotgunwillie. That makes it much easier. I think im going to go with 14" wheel and the toughest trailer tire i can find or a 14.5 LT tire. I may also get it galvanized (depending on price), living so close to the coast. thanks


Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3