Have our club championship tournament this weekend and I blew a tire this morning on the way home from the lake. I need 2 new tires for my trailer and I can not get the same tires that are on the trailer now anywhere. I can save a little money if I order them online, but the shipping cost will even out what I would save, plus to have them on time, I would have to expedite shipping. I was told by 2 different tire stores that dont have my tire in stock that I could put on 205's instead of my 215's and it would be just fine. My boat only weighs maybe 2,000lbs with the engine, its a Tracker Avalanche. I wanted to get you guys opinion on this as I have more faith in my friends here, than a stranger at a tire store.

There will be a slight difference in width between those sizes. All I can say is as long as it is in the right load range you should be fine

if its a single axle, I would use 215's.

If tandem axle use 205's

Where do you live?

 

I just went from 215s to 205s this spring...the 205s are narrower (about 0.40") , but slightly taller.

My Goodyear 215/75R-14's were 26.7" diameter, the new 205 Kumho 857's are 27".  0.30" difference.  It your trailer is set up so that much difference gives you a problem...you've got other issues that need to be dealt with.

I highly recommend the Kumho 857s, but recognize you might not be a place to wait for them.  The odds of your guy having them in stock are pretty close to zero.  They are an 8 ply, D load range tire (2271 lbs @ 65 PSI on a single axle for each tire - I doubt your boat weighs anywhere near 4542 lbs.) with a higher speed rating (a Q Speed rating is 99 MPH and really is a way to judge how well the tire is made and balanced) than most trailer tires...all good stuff, and they have deeper tread than most as well.

15 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

Where do you live?

 

Maine

I asked where you live so I could see if you had something like Trailer Parts Superstore like we have down here in Delaware. I do not see a boating/trailer supply store similar in Maine.  If you have not taken care of this by now and need a good option check out this link in Delaware and see what shipping would be.  http://www.easternmarine.com/   Another great option is to order the exact sixe from Tire rack. i checked and two tires can be shipped to your home address for about $33.  That means that 2 tires with shipping from them would be about $150.  Just a couple of options. If you did already get your tire situation settled good luck on the tournament.

In your situation I would would go with the 205's.....

Sears carries Marathon 215/14 trailer tires.

Tom