Trailer wheel size

[G-Man]

Been looking at trailers to partner with my newly ordered Hitchdoc hitch.  The trailers I'm interested in come with either 8" or 12" wheels.  I'm leaning towars the 12" wheels as I believe they will handle themselves better at higher speeds.  Will the 12" wheel cause the trailer to slope down towards the front when connected to the hitch?  If yes, is this a bad thing?  (Small trailer 4' X 6' will be carrying a footlocker styled trunk)

[Bob E.]

Probably depends on the trailer as to whether it would slope down to the hitch or not.  Either way, I know alot of folks say that 12" wheels are so much better than 8", but there are alot of trailers out there on 8" with no problems.  My trailer has 8" and I've never worried about it.  So I wouldn't worry about tire size...at least not on a lightweight trailer.

[sandy]

My Roll-A-Home tent trailer slopes to the front(on my Wing). It's level behind the Valk. Not a problem and yes, it has 12" wheels. I wouldn't worry about 8" wheels though. The hubs and bearings are way oversized for the weight any bike will pull. The slope forward helps to keep the load from shifting to the rear as you bump along the highway. Too much weight to the rear will cause sway at speed.

[Wildman]

A larger diameter wheel rolls over obsticle much smoother than a small tire.

If you intend to ride only smooth paved roads with the trailer the 8" wheels may be OK.

If you have pot holes that are deep you need 12" wheels.

[ptgb]

You want to avoid a tongue that slopes upwards towards the hitch. In a hard braking situation, the weight of the trailer will cause forward inertia; if this is transferred upwards it will unload weight off the rear wheel... could cause a skid.

You are better off with a downward slope. I had a harbor freight trailer with 12" wheels and a hitchdoc; there was still a downward slope with that size wheel.

[G-Man]

Thank you all.....great replies!   

[R J]

You can also step a 'C' tongue.

looks like this.

             ________
_______/

In the side panel, if ya want to lower it, cut a 'V' bend it down and reweld, just cut in the sides, DO NOT CUT all the way across and make 2 pieces.  To get the the tongue straight so to speak, cut it once, bent as needed, reweld the 'V' you cut out of the 1st cut in the gap.  Now cut a piece of steel, reinforcement, that will fit inside the tongue where you made your cuts and welds,   go at least 6" past the last weld with your plate, weld it in along the top, down the sides, and on the bottom.    Grind down your weld if you have to to make it fit flat against the tongue.

If you can't weld, almost any welding shop can fix ya up.    They might grumble, but that is just the nature of a welder.   They want to work on BIG stuff....

If you have a box receiver hitch, you can buy the needed riser to put your ball on.  If ya have to lower the hitch, just flop the riser over to get your drop.