Change wheel size for better tires?

[Jeepr]

I recall a discussion on this, and might be at the point where it is convenient to change things. I have a flat trailer with ST205/75R15 tires. The wheels are 15x6, 5 on 5. I recall the discussion that for this size, all of the tires are Chinese made and generally junk. I will say that I have been fairly happy with the Goodyear Marathon's so far.

But, I'm at a point where I should replace the two older tires that are "Powerking Towmax" (Chinese?). And, my wheels are getting somewhat rusty. So, I'm at a decision point to get two more Marathon's, or change it up. I recall a discussion about changing to 16" wheels to allow for LT tires instead of ST.

Was that discussion relevant to this size tire/wheel? (or maybe it was for the tires on my camper instead?). If so, what wheel/tire size is the recommended "upgrade". FYI, the trailer is used to haul my Jeep and sometimes ATV also.

 

[SnoKing]

Might be hard to find 5 lug 16" zero offset trailer wheels and/or ones rated for the weight the tires are rated at. SNOKING

 

[RUSSELL5000]

SNOKING hit the nail on the head. You won't find a 15 inch LT tire and you won't find a 16 inch wheel to fit that hub.

I have heard that Maxxis brand trailer tires (ST tires) are good and are available in load range E; I have no personal experience. I am using a Carlisle Radial Trail RH on the boy scout trailer in a load range E. This is a brand that had a reputation for popping in the middle 2000s. The shop I bought them from told me that yes, they were a problem, the problem was recognized, and corrected. I don't know enough to say whether this is right or not. I have not had any problems with them for the last two years.

Since you are running the ST205/75R15 I would guess you will not have any problems if you get new wheels which are adequately rated for an ST225/75R15 load range E (and get new tires). The reason I say that is it appears to me that trailers come with tires which are at or just over the specified capability; the tires run hot, degrade, and you end up with a blow-out. If you get a tire that is running at 70% to 80% of its capacity then it will not get hot and you have a greater likelihood of trouble free operation. Load range E in ST225/75R15 is 2,680 lbs, so you are a little over 10,000 lbs on a tandem axle trailer. This is what we did with the boy scout trailer and so far the tires are always cool and we have not had any problems.

When picking a tire brand I look at the specs for the size in mind and note that for the same tire some brands weigh a significant amount more than other brands. I don't anything about tire construction but I like the idea of more material in the tire.

 

[AH64ID]

Hubs are fairly cheap so it may not be a big deal to get a 6 lug hub for your axle.

Otherwise I would look at either the MAXXIS or sticking with the Marathons. The Marathons actually allow 75mph, with 10 psi above air required for load, whereas most ST's are only good for 65.

 

[SnoKing]

Might look at these 15" LT's. Chris

http://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-6-104-bravo-series-ma-751

 

[RUSSELL5000]

I could not find the proper hub earlier - maybe I went wrong. I was looking for a load range E - those MAXXIS LT in the 15 inch are less than the 2,680 lb spec I was looking for. But if lower load range OK then would work.

But if MAXXIS, wouldn't ST do?

 

[SnoKing]

Maxxis ST are only marginally better than any other ST tires, with many reporting dry rot issues. Snoking

 

[AH64ID]

What axles are on the trailer?

 

[RUSSELL5000]

I haven't thought about this for a while and looked at my old thread. Harvey Barlow pointed out that an LT225/75R16 tire was only one inch in diameter greater than my 15 inch trailer tires and so would likely fit anywhere. The benefit is that there are numerous good to excellent LT tires.

Right now I have Firestone Transforce - got because those tires were on the truck. Next time the Bridgestone Duravis or Michelin XPS Rib. Lots of really good choices once break into 16 inch.

On the other hand, the boy scout trailer is doing well with ST tires that are a step or two up in load range. So maybe the key is to make sure you have enough tire for the job.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Maxxis have worked for me. Never run trailer tires over 5 years; 4 is a better interval for replacement.

check out this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6SwwRnmp1Q

 

[AH64ID]

I just did the 225/75R15 to 225/75R16 swap and it is working out very well.

The reason I asked about axle size is my parents wanted a decent LT tire for their 5x8 single axle and also have a 5 lug axle. We found that Goodyear makes the Wrangler HT in 215/75R15 LRD rated at 2096@65 which is more than enough for a 3500lb axle.

 

[Jeepr]

Axles are two 3500, thus total 7000. Trailer is about 2000lbs, Jeep is about 4000lbs, and sometimes there is an ATV on it too, so I'm probably pretty close to 7000lbs at times. I just looked at the specs for the Marathons in 205 and they are 1820 each, thus 7280 total. That's not much cushion, and would assume absolute perfect level loading. When I replaced the fenders, I purposely got slightly bigger ones with thought of a bigger tire.

I see that Marathon is also available in 225/15 still in load range C at 2150, for a total of 8600. But they are also available in that same size in load range D, at 2540 for a total of 10,160. Those two options give me a little more capability, and probably keep things cooler? That would allow keeping the current wheels, but would mean buying 5 new tires instead of 2. Or I could buy 5 new tires and wheels and do the 225/16 in an LT... but that seems extreme now that I look at it. hmmmm.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Jeep,

I found some 15 inch wheels with that lug pattern rated at 3050 lbs (rather, the shop I had used previously found them.) Then I went with the 225 in load range E - there was a minor additional cost to go to E from D. You would be at roughly 10,400 lbs capacity.

As pointed out above, you also could do an LT tire in load range D.

Hard to imagine a problem with any of the "better" ST tires in load range E.

 

[AH64ID]

Axles are two 3500, thus total 7000. Trailer is about 2000lbs, Jeep is about 4000lbs, and sometimes there is an ATV on it too, so I'm probably pretty close to 7000lbs at times. I just looked at the specs for the Marathons in 205 and they are 1820 each, thus 7280 total. That's not much cushion, and would assume absolute perfect level loading. When I replaced the fenders, I purposely got slightly bigger ones with thought of a bigger tire.

I see that Marathon is also available in 225/15 still in load range C at 2150, for a total of 8600. But they are also available in that same size in load range D, at 2540 for a total of 10,160. Those two options give me a little more capability, and probably keep things cooler? That would allow keeping the current wheels, but would mean buying 5 new tires instead of 2. Or I could buy 5 new tires and wheels and do the 225/16 in an LT... but that seems extreme now that I look at it. hmmmm.

I would look into the Goodyear Wrangler HT in LT215/75R15. It's an LT made in the USA which would give you 8384 lbs of tires, which is plenty of cushion as I would be very careful overloading the 3500 axles.

The LT's don't have the low speed rating and have tougher standards to adhere to and that tire would fit on your current rims.

 

[SnoKing]

Maxxis have worked for me. Never run trailer tires over 5 years; 4 is a better interval for replacement.

check out this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6SwwRnmp1Q

We all like gauges!!!! I will take my LT's over any ST tire even if someone gave them to me. I would like to see any ST tire go the 40k+ miles and 6.5 years I put on a set of Michelin XPS Ribs on my trailer, which include a lot of hot weather tow in the SW. I am now running Bridgestone Duravis R250's coming up on 4 years, which are equally as good and cost less. SNOKING

#ad

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Jeepr,

I think the general consensus is that LT is preferred over ST; I made that change for myself on my travel trailer. Out of curiosity, I looked for 15 inch LT tires with similar diameter and your existing rim width last night - very limited. Maybe I missed them, but very limited choices on 15 inch LT; almost all that are similar size are load range C. That is really what drove me to the 16 inch when I was looking the first time.

That Goodyear Wrangler HT mentioned above is just about 1/2 inch larger diameter than your ST205 and looks close enough on the rim width. As pointed out, you also get to go to a load range D up from your C.

I have not had a worry with the boy scout trailer with the ST load range E tires. Note that at around 2,000 miles per year I am not real concerned with wearing the tires out!

 

[MichaelOverfield]

Some great points here, I'm looking at going from the original 14" rims up to 15", to open up LT tire options. Here is the story, OEM tires were garbage, barely lasted a year, maybe 5000 miles, but I guess that is pretty standard for ST tires, bias ply. I replaced with Goodyear Marathons, LR C Radial tires, had them balanced. They are MUCH better than OEM, but still far from good, they are rated to 65 MPH, I guess with slight higher inflation they can go a bit higher to 75 MPH with a tech bulletin issued by Goodyear, I read on Tire Rack's website.. but still, on todays interstate's there are places you are going to get run over at even 75 MPH. LT tires are going to handle the higher speeds. I'm not buying the line about trailer sway and anything indicated an advantage for ST tires at this point.. because here is the result of the Marathons... about 6000 miles, proper inflations, keep balanced, most highway speeds about 65-70, not overloaded.. One of my 4 tires is bad.. but not in an obvious way. A spring broke! Fortunately not on the highway, but while moving the trailer at home.. but when I went to repair I noted the odd shape of the tire, then spun it and sure enough, it not round, has a bulge and no doubt the cause of broken spring. I'm now looking to get LT tires, which can be done on a 15" rim, but limited options. I can't get a 16" to fit the 3500# axles.. 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern, but I thought I'd add my vote to the LT tire options based on experience with ST, even the Goodyear Marathon, which is lacking.

(Update: See my latest post for details, but Goodyear Marathon tires were good for 7 years about 10000-15000 miles from a more detailed analysis.. )

 

[GAmes]

........... they are rated to 65 MPH, I guess with slight higher inflation they can go a bit higher to 75 MPH with a tech bulletin issued by Goodyear, I read on Tire Rack's website.. but still, on todays interstate's there are places you are going to get run over at even 75 MPH.

Seriously, you believe that? How many times have you seen a vehicle going slower than the speed limit get "run over" More than likely the answer is ZERO!!! I know I've never seen that happen. Last month I reached the half million mile mark of logged, commercial, trailer towing. Add to that the thousands of miles pulling my own RVs that I don't log. I'm normally at 58-60 MPH. I'm sure I inconvenience a few drivers every now and then for a few seconds. Too bad, they'll get over it. Pulling an RV above 65mph is at best a waste of fuel. Towing an RV at 75mph, IMO, is reckless and stupid.

 

[MichaelOverfield]

GAmes,
You can have that opinion, but even if one is staying below 75, on a road for say 85 MPH (legal speed limit), on a long drive that adds up to real some time. Sure, fuel economy will suffer, but a properly set up rig can handle just fine, my truck is much heavier than the trailer, so not even close to its capability (about 5500). If I was towing a 18,000lb tow rig, I'd go 58-60MPH tops too, for safety reasons.

I should also add.. if tire starts breaking down, as many have seen at 65MPH, and you do only 65MPH.... seems to make sense to have a tire rated OVER what you wish drive, seriously, P tires are pretty much all over 100 MPH rated, and people don't drive that either.. so why should a trailer tire be rated at the speed of modern interstate travel, it makes no sense... but people are buying these tires, over and over, so I guess if you make money selling them it is good business.

Drive in SoCal, or near Detroit at 58-60 MPH, you'll make many friends there I'm sure!

 

[GAmes]

No argument that quality tires are a good investment. I just bought a new 5er with 15 inch load range D Marathons that will be replaced with load range E 16 inch Michelins.

Better tires do not do anything for the danger of pulling an RV at high speed though. They are inherently unstable, and are equipped (for the most part) with the cheapest, lowest grade, braking system and suspensions allowed by law.

Unfortunately I am in SoCal often. I guess you are not aware that the posted speed limit for trailers in CA is 55. It is scary watching the morons in SoCal with their lifted trucks hooked to 40 ft toyhaulers sailing down I-8 and I-10 going to the desert. CA might as well sell all their signage for speed limits for scrap since the only trailer pullers they ever ticket are truckers. I avoid Michigan because of their poor roads, but I have been to Detroit a few times. The drivers there are no different than any big city.