Converting Tandem dually to 17.5" rickson wheels

[CToney]

We have a Delta 28ft lo-pro tandem dually with beaver tail. It has cheap 235/80R16 10 ply tires. We haven't put many miles on it and the tires are wearing out. The tires are poor. To get good tires will cost $225/ tire. Cheap ones will be $50 cheaper. I was to the Rickson website and it looks like they make rims that I could convert the trailer to 17.5" tires. These tires would be much more expensive but would be better quality and last longer. Plus I only need to buy 4! Rims lol like they are >$100/rim. Trailer should pull easier too with less rubber on the road.

Has anyone done this? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Contact Scott at trailertiresandwheels.com

 

[p-Bar]

put some 14 ply tires on it and call it a day. It's not like you are overloading the axles.

 

[CToney]

Talked to Scott about converting our trailer from duals to singles today. He says no one in their neck of the woods runs a tandem dually anymore. Why run 8 tires rated for 3000lbs/ tire when you can run 4 rated for 6000lbs/tire? Better fuel economy, fewer flats, longer tread life, easier to check tire pressure. He sells 75 mph rated tires so you can keep your interstate speed if you so desire as well. 12 or 14 ply tires probably aren't much better than 10ply and would just cost more. They would still be a light duty tire until you go to the 17.5 rim then they're a medium duty tire. Gravel really chews up the trailer tires up here. $225 Cdn for Bridgestone R250 235/85 R16 tires not much more than $450 Cdn for a new rim and tire from Trailer wheels and tires.

 

[JR]

So your going from tandem duals/10 ply to singles and your staying with a 16" 10 ply tire? Or did I read that wrong?

 

[MMeier]

17.5's are usually a 12 or 14 ply rated tire .

 

[NIsaacs]

Or did I read that wrong?

You read it wrong, the OP says he can buy 1, 17.5 tire and wheel (16 or 18 ply) rated for 6,000 lbs per tire, for the same price as 2, 10 ply dually tires. Dual tired trailers pull hard. I went from 7k axles and 16" tires to 8k axles and 17.5 tires on my trailer, however it was singles to start with.

Nick

 

[CToney]

The tires I'll get are 235/75R17.5 16ply Load range H 143/141L 6008 lbs single. They fit a 6.75" rim are 1/2" taller than 235/80r16 and weigh 63 lbs/tire. They are rated for 75 mph (L), 17/32nds tread depth, inflate to 125psi. $225

Cheap Chinese 235/80R16 38lbs/tire 11/32nds tread depth 10 ply 3100lbs $150
Bridgestone R250 235/85R16 53lbs/tire 120Q 13/32nds tread depth 10 ply 3042 $225

I do have to buy 5 tires and 5 rims which is an added cost but with deeper tread and better rubber compound the tires should last longer. The solid centered rims shouldn't get as much mud and dirt stuck to them either( that should help them stay balanced). Might have to get some centramatics...

 

[CToney]

Tire mounting and install went well. Now hopefully I can sell the old tires and rims.

 

[NIsaacs]

Nice, you will like them, they will pack a load. Sometimes in soft ground, such as a hay field with a heavy load, it might require low range to un track. That about the only time I miss my dually trailer. Did you check axle alignment? On a dually it's critical, with singles it's still important.

Nick

 

[CToney]

Nice rig! That's very cool. We don't go into fields with it much or even haul heavy loads any more. I have a 53 ft dropdeck with beavertails we use to haul hay and our tractor around. That grader in the picture must weigh a fair bit.