16" Trailer tires

[jeepit]

Looking to upgrade to a 16" wheel and tire combo. Where do I start to look? How do I know they will fit as far as offset and height.
Current trailer is a 26' Jayco G2 that currently has 6 year old GY Marathons size 225/75/R15 D rated.

 

[DennyDay]

I changed my trailer over to 16" almost three years ago - - best thing I ever did - - - but I was having axel problems also (to light to carry load 3500 lb.)
so I had 7000 lb axels put on with new springs - - all from Dexter and I had the axels put under the springs to give me tire clearance under the fenders. You can get wheels from several manufacturers - - - had MORRide do the whole thing in Elkhart, IN

 

[Terry Jay]

Look online http://www.trailertiresandwheels.com/ . They have everything, ordered from them and got great service.

 

[GCroyle]

jeepit,

Massive discussion on Airforums.com about switching to 16's from 15's and many opting from Michelin. I did the same this spring after some GYM issues and the constant failure reports on ST tires.

Two wheel mfgr's seemed to be the go to companies. Sendel and Hi Spec. I chose Hi Spec and Michelins with a Dill TPMS thrown in. Discount Tire was able to provide all on one invoice. I did the mounting.

You'll need to figure out your wheel size and specs. Does any wheel have a wheel mfgr part number on it that you can research and then look at the options?

These are Hi Spec and Michelin's.

Gary

 

[jgillott]

You will never regret going to the 16". I lost another 15" tire on one of my landscape trailers this morning right after I dropped off a tractor. Harvey talked me in to buying my newest equipment trailer with 16" wheels and I couldn't be happier with the choice. Not a single tire issue on that trailer and it sees a lot of use

 

[jeepit]

Current wheels are the cheapo white wheels most trailers come with.
I haven't had a chance to look for any sizing on the wheel. Where on wheel might info be located?

 

[GCroyle]

jeepit,

Maybe look at the spare for a mfgr label, hit their website. Or did your rig come with a parts manual? Might find size info in it too.

 

[jeepit]

Found it on trailer build sheet.
Tredit Wheel Tire Co.,Y9214414 6 lug.
I sent an email to them since their site has no part numbers listed to cross reference.

 

[CThomsen]

I have a 2013 Jayco 315FBHS fifth wheel that came with 15 aluminum wheels that look identical to the ones on the airstream above. They had St 225/75 tires on them. I just upgraded to 16"wheels that I found on craigslist off of a toy hauler. These have 235/80R16 tires and fit fine. I have 3.5" between tires and 4+ inches of clearance above tires.

 

[drag racer]

if you want about the smallest diameter 16" tire, look at LT225/75-16. I use BFG Commercial T/A on my gooseneck - made by Michelin, and a ton cheaper, and a good value.

 

[softailer]

I have been down this road already!!! I have 31' Jayco Eagle that had the same wheels & tires as you. They were absolute junk-blowout-blowout!!! I went to the the R/V store and bought a set (5) of 16"x5" wheels and went to Discount Tire and put on 5 B F GOODRICH COMMERCIAL T/A tires. Problem solved!!! Lesson learned... T/A are LT rated tires (90mph max) & Goodyear Marathon tires are S/T rated at (60mph max). I have had no problems since!!!

 

[Bill Stockard]

You will never regret going to the 16". I lost another 15" tire on one of my landscape trailers this morning right after I dropped off a tractor. Harvey talked me in to buying my newest equipment trailer with 16" wheels and I couldn't be happier with the choice. Not a single tire issue on that trailer and it sees a lot of use

Yes, I was already aware of the benefits of 16" Michelin XPS Rib radial tires as trailer tires from experiences as far back as 1998. When I special ordered my present equipment trailer from Performance Trailers in Mount Pleasant, TX, I specified 16" radial tires. No tire problems since I bought it in 2006.

Bill

 

[jeepit]

Went to a local tire shop and they told me going to a 16" wheel and tire will be an increase of 4"
I don't get their math.

 

[SnoKing]

jeepit,

Massive discussion on Airforums.com about switching to 16's from 15's and many opting from Michelin. I did the same this spring after some GYM issues and the constant failure reports on ST tires.

Two wheel mfgr's seemed to be the go to companies. Sendel and Hi Spec. I chose Hi Spec and Michelins with a Dill TPMS thrown in. Discount Tire was able to provide all on one invoice. I did the mounting.

You'll need to figure out your wheel size and specs. Does any wheel have a wheel mfgr part number on it that you can research and then look at the options?

These are Hi Spec and Michelin's.

Gary

The LTX M&S and M&S2 are not the best choice for a trailer tire. To much siping and outer rib has gaps in it. The siping will cause tread squirm and the broken outer rib grips to much in tigh manuevers. The XPS Rib is a much better LT trailer tire or the Bridgestone Duravis R250. Snoking

 

[GCroyle]

The LTX M&S and M&S2 are not the best choice for a trailer tire. To much siping and outer rib has gaps in it. The siping will cause tread squirm and the broken outer rib grips to much in tigh manuevers. The XPS Rib is a much better LT trailer tire or the Bridgestone Duravis R250. Snoking

SNOKING,

One clarification in this discussion should include and differentiate between a cargo type trailer vs. a travel trailer. Also Airstream now has a 16" Michelin tire and wheel in the lobby as you walk in with a price tag displayed and this combo is standard equipment on their Eddie Bauer trailer. Some owners go there just to get converted to the 16".

ST's have a significant bad reputation on Airforums.

Gary

 

[RUSSELL5000]

jeepit,

I had similar questions about a year ago and the members of this forum provided an excellent explanation and education. I would be extremely surprised if the LT225/75R16 E tires wouldn't slip in nicely versus the ST 225/75R15 D tires you have now - they are only one inch greater in diameter.

I found that the entire trailer suspension should be examined - mine was designed at about 103% of capacity. I have a long thread on travel trailer suspension adequacy - use those terms and there is a mountain of good information.

I upgraded my axles as well as wheels and tires - in addition I got 12 inch drum brakes rather than ten inch.

I don't have an infrared thermometer, but after I converted I feel the temperature of the tires - using the 16 inch LT tires, the trailer tires are cooler to the touch than the truck tires - and both are never hot.

I would suggest you also consider a tire pressure monitoring system if you do not have one - lots of good discussion here on that topic as well.