Tires: Trailer tire LT, rim widths, rim width

Question
I just had 9x14.5 tires dismounted from rims that clearly have 7x14.5 Dexter stamped in them.  Should i change them to 7x14.5 or are the 9x14.5's better/ safer?

Answer
Sal,

Rims and tires are sized differently.

For example a P205/65R15 has an allowable rim width range of 5½" to 7½" in spite of the fact that 205 = 8.07".

A 9-14.5LT tire has a load carrying capacity of 3000# for single use at 85 psi (Load Range E) and an allowable rim width range of .... well there's only one - 7".

BTW, a 7-14.5 MH (notice the difference in the letters after size) is designed for mobile home trailers and has a load carrying capacity of 2095# at 85 psi.

The rim widths are always a little smaller than the width of the tire.