LT Trailer Tires

[Tommie]

Ok... ... here is the deal. I have located a 2006 Arctic Fox TV that is 900 miles from my home here in East Texas. I am seriously considering heading that way next week to look the trailer over and possible purchase and tow back home.



My question to all your RV experts out there is this. I have been reading a lot here about needing LT tires on a TT. This AF has, I would assume the original 225 75R 15 D Super-trailer tires on it. I don't dare hit the road back to Texas with 6 year old tires. So... ... ..... what size tires and rims will fit this trailer? It is a AF 25R. I want to replace the tires and have the wheel bearings serviced before I hit the road, if I decide to purchase the trailer.



Need advise... . may head out Monday morning of next week.



Thanks!

 

[HBarlow]

Tommie,

Southwest Wheel Southwest Wheel Company Steel and Aluminum Truck Wheels in Dallas or Lubbock can sell you a set of utility grade silver painted six lug 16" wheels for around $40/wheel and Sam's Club or a good tire dealer can install a set of four new Michelin or BF Goodrich LT225/75R16s in LRD. Michelin XPS Ribs are the best 16" trailer tire money can buy but BFGs are a good alternative for less money.

Several TDR members have made that conversion on their fifth wheel trailers and have come back to report how satisfied they were. Once you do that you'll never have another worry about tire failures that are so common on RVs with 15" wheels and tires.

The Arctic Fox should make a good trailer for you if you paid the right price for it.

Fill in your signature so we'll know where you live and what truck you drive.

 

[Tommie]

Thanks Harvey. I assume the 16" rims will fit the fender wells on the AF 25R ok then? The trailer dealer that I am dealing with wasn't sure if larger rims would fit or not.



I guess there is nothing special about the 16' rims? Could I just go to my local Discount Tire store and purchase a 16" 6 lug rim and have them install one of the tires you have mentioned? That way I can get them locally and just take them with me. I can get the trailer bearings inspected and re-packed for $19. 00 per wheel.



The AF 25R is a one owner trailer that appears to be in great shape. He is asking $16,500 for it. Am I getting ripped???



Thanks for your help!

 

[Grizzly]

Tommie,



I don't know where you are nor where you intend to go for this AF travel trailer, which is 4 star rated. I would ask for a TDR Member who lives in the area and know about RV's to go see it, take pictures and evaluate the trailer for you. Have them look at the condition of the tires.



I called a Rep from Northwood Mfg at 1-800-766-6274 and spoke to Scott. He said that a 16" wheel will not fit due to not enough clearance between the wheels. I'd keep the OEM wheels and put half ton truck or large SUV tires on it. Get a good name tire, like Michelin. That way you can purchase tires at a Discount Tire, Sam's or Costco or anywhere you want in that town.



george

 

[GaryCarter]

The hubs and rims on most trailers in that weight range are 5 lug. Check before you buy the new ones.

 

[Tommie]

I am in Longview Texas and the trailer is in Silver City NM.



The trailer has 15" 6 hole rims according to the dealer. I just want to be sure I have a good set of tires on it when and if I purchase it and head back home. I plan on doing a little camping on the return trip!

 

[Grizzly]

Thanks Harvey. I assume the 16" rims will fit the fender wells on the AF 25R ok then? The trailer dealer that I am dealing with wasn't sure if larger rims would fit or not.



I guess there is nothing special about the 16' rims? Could I just go to my local Discount Tire store and purchase a 16" 6 lug rim and have them install one of the tires you have mentioned? That way I can get them locally and just take them with me. I can get the trailer bearings inspected and re-packed for $19. 00 per wheel.



The AF 25R is a one owner trailer that appears to be in great shape. He is asking $16,500 for it. Am I getting ripped???



Thanks for your help!

Look it up on NADA. What did it cost new? My RV Consumer Group says that a 5 year old AF25R is worth $15,835. My RVCG also says that the original MSRP was $36,381, which means that the original owner probably paid $28,000 +/-. Check pricing out on craigslist, auto trader and other RV publications.



george

 

[Tommie]

I looked at the NADA price. The AF has the cabinet upgrade option also. Heck... ..... I can buy a new Forest River or Jayco right here in Longview for less $$$, but the quality just isn't there and after the first year of depreciation they would be worth less than the AF. I would rather have a quality used TT than a new entry model that is going to start falling apart as soon as I leave the dealers lot.



Am I looking at this deal in the wrong way? I'm open for any and all suggestions.

Look it up on NADA. What did it cost new? My RV Consumer Group says that a 5 year old AF25R is worth $15,835. My RVCG also says that the original MSRP was $36,381, which means that the original owner probably paid $28,000 +/-. Check pricing out on craigslist, auto trader and other RV publications.



george

 

[Grizzly]

I am in Longview Texas and the trailer is in Silver City NM.



The trailer has 15" 6 hole rims according to the dealer. I just want to be sure I have a good set of tires on it when and if I purchase it and head back home. I plan on doing a little camping on the return trip!

I know the dealership. I can't remember the owner's name, but he seemed to be fair and honest when I was shopping for an AF. That's about 150 miles south of me, which is too far for me to go.



Do we have any TDR Members in Silver City?



george

 

[Grizzly]

I looked at the NADA price. The AF has the cabinet upgrade option also. Heck... ..... I can buy a new Forest River or Jayco right here in Longview for less $$$, but the quality just isn't there and after the first year of depreciation they would be worth less than the AF. I would rather have a quality used TT than a new entry model that is going to start falling apart as soon as I leave the dealers lot.



Am I looking at this deal in the wrong way? I'm open for any and all suggestions.

Have you considered a 5th wheel. Much better maneuverability.

 

[Tommie]

I have a topper on my TV and really don't have a desire for a 5th wheel. This trailer is just for weekend trips and the occasional vacation trip away from the East Texas area. I'm not what you would call a full time/serious RVer.

This is more of a get away and relax deal if you know what I mean.



The dealer is Dave Lowry. So far he has been good to work with. He sent me an additional 30 pictures of the trailer and called around Silver City to check on tires and wheel bearing service for me.

Have you considered a 5th wheel. Much better maneuverability.

 

[HBarlow]

Thanks Harvey. I assume the 16" rims will fit the fender wells on the AF 25R ok then? The trailer dealer that I am dealing with wasn't sure if larger rims would fit or not.

I guess there is nothing special about the 16' rims? Could I just go to my local Discount Tire store and purchase a 16" 6 lug rim and have them install one of the tires you have mentioned? That way I can get them locally and just take them with me. I can get the trailer bearings inspected and re-packed for $19. 00 per wheel.

The AF 25R is a one owner trailer that appears to be in great shape. He is asking $16,500 for it. Am I getting ripped???

Thanks for your help!

I have no idea what an AF25R is or it's retail value. I suggest you check NADA and KBB to find out or ask your local bank or credit union. They should have a copy.

I guess fifthwheels have replaced conventionals in my mind so I was assuming that because you want to replace the wheels and tires with something with greater capacity it is a fifthwheel. If it is a tongue pull conventional travel trailer I don't know if the 16" wheels and tires will fit.

What is the current spacing between front and rear tires on each side? LT225/75R16s are only 1/4" to 1/2" larger diameter than the same size tire in 15" size. If the OEM tires have 1 1/2 to 2" spacing they should fit.

Trailers with ST225/75R15 LRD tires are normally on 5,000 lb axles and six lug wheels so a standard trailer six lug 16" wheel should exchange.

Yes, you can probably buy them from a tire dealer if the trailer is located in or near a large city but they may or may not have what you need in stock.

I would hate to see you buy the rims and have new tires mounted then determine at pickup they don't fit. If you are buying it from an RV dealer he should be able to take a few simple measurements for you and answer that question . . . if he wants to complete a sale.

What is the GVWR of that trailer printed on the VIN decal left front. A conventional 25' trailer is not very heavy. A new set of 15" LRD tires may be completely adequate for a trailer that size and cost you a lot less than wheel and tire conversion.

 

[Tommie]

UVW is 6360#. NCC is 3640# for a total GVWR of 10,000#.



I doubt I ever load it to 10,000#. Will be camping mostly in RV parks with hookups. The tanks will very rarely see any fluids in them.



I would guess 7,500 to 8,000# max.

 

[HBarlow]

ST225/75R15 tires in LRD have a max capacity of about 2500 lbs. each. Even subtracting out tongue or kingpin weight those tires are marginal for a trailer that heavy. I would replace them with 16s if at all possible.

 

[WalterJ]

Agree with HBarlow re: tire capacity. I'm not familiar with 15" tire options, but get one designed for trailers! Trailer tires are a bit stiffer due to more plys in the sidewall, which reduces sway & runs cooler, especially important in your latitude. Never get to 10K#... posh... you'll be there in a heart beat by next year! Are "E" range tires avail. for 15"? Ask.

 

[Wertles]

If you are stuck with 15 inch, you can negotiate with the dealer for new tires and bearing check/grease job. Just don't let them put the same crap back on. These are easy things to ask for to sweeten the deal. They buy the tires at wholesale and the rest is labor which they can write off as prep work to deliver the unit. Also make sure they balance the tires. Many dealers claim that they don't have to balance trailer tires but that is absolutely not true in my opinion. I doubt that you could negotiate a rim and tire swap (if there is room) but it never hurts to lead off with that. If all else fails, see if he can beat the price of your local tire/rim place. I was able to get quite a few accessories for my trailer at "dealer cost" which was cheaper than I could find anywhere else.

 

[Grizzly]

I have a topper on my TV and really don't have a desire for a 5th wheel. This trailer is just for weekend trips and the occasional vacation trip away from the East Texas area. I'm not what you would call a full time/serious RVer.

This is more of a get away and relax deal if you know what I mean.



The dealer is Dave Lowry. So far he has been good to work with. He sent me an additional 30 pictures of the trailer and called around Silver City to check on tires and wheel bearing service for me.

I do remember Dave Lowry, spoke to him several time in 2007, but I never met him.



I'd have Dave Lowry repack the wheel bearings, but don't ask him until you get there so that you can go in the shop and watch them and that way you can inspect the brake shoes yourself. I'm sure they can repack the bearing cheaper than $19 each.



Whatever you do, don't let anyone talk you into ST tires. All ST tires are Chinese cheap junk that will come apart and could damage the fender wells and possibly damage electrical and plumbing and sometimes cabinets. Also they are only good for 3 years from the manufactured date stamped on the sidewall. They are also limited to 65 mph, not that you need to tow any trailer faster.



Good luck and keep us informed, george

 

[Grizzly]

ST225/75R15 tires in LRD have a max capacity of about 2500 lbs. each. Even subtracting out tongue or kingpin weight those tires are marginal for a trailer that heavy. I would replace them with 16s if at all possible.

I agree with Harvey. If it's possible I'd get 16" wheels, but I'm not sure that's possible based on what I was told by Northwwod Mfg.



I don't agree with WalterJ. He says to get tires designed for trailers, that would be ST. Get LT, which are stiffer wall than ST Chinese tires.



george

 

[Tommie]

Well... ..... if I can't put 16" wheels and tires on this trailer, how about the 10 ply Maxxis trailer tires that are rated at 2830#?

I am about ready to pull out what little hair I have left researching and thinking about these darn tires!

 

[Grizzly]

Maxxis are still ST tires made in China.