Tire Upgrade

[Blu-meanie]

Has anybody replaced their 205/75R 15 tires with 225/75R 15 tires on a TT? I would like to know if there was/is any clearance problems. I emailed my favorite Fleetwood Company, and was informed that doing something like this would have serious consequences on my warrantee. I don't think they honor any warantee anyway (even if I had one) unless you fight for it.

 

[KBalzuweit]

Not much difference in size



205 is 27. 2 x 8. 0

225 is 28. 2 x 8. 8



Rating is



205 1820

225 2150



Example my TT is 7350 GVWR so if I load to the max and take off 10% for the weight on the hitch and that gives you 1653 pounds on each tire. That gives you about 10% margin of safety on the tires.



Now for my opinion... . If I needed new tires I would upgrade, if for anything a little piece of mind. I would not replace good tires.



Hope this helps.

Karl

 

[GaryCarter]

Ours is upgraded to the 225... no problems and it's nice to have some reserve capacity on the tires.



Mike

 

[mlandis2]

We replaced a bad set of 205's with 225's and had no problems. I agree, nice to have a little extra capacity.

 

[Buffalo]

Three of my friends and I all have Nash trailers (all different models). They all came with 205/75/15C's. We have all upgraded to 225/75/15D's. They fit very well and as others have said it's nice to be over-tired.

What we did was to go to the Towmaster's by Greenball. These tires are made by Goodyear in their Canadian plant and are assembled on the same assembly line as the Goodyear Marathons.

I've done a number of extended trips with them (6000+ and 8000+ miles) with virually no problems. I'd buy them again. They are MUCH cheaper than the Marathons. Try to find the distributor in your area and see if you can buy directly from them.

Hope this helps. Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Blu-meanie]

I've been looking at the Towmasters, they are available at Les Schwab. The Marathons that are on it now, look fine, but it's into the fifth year for them and I'm beginning to get "spooked" about using them much longer. I've had a tire failures on a previous trailer and they can get messy. What I'd really like to do is kick the engineering departments butts for building these things with no room for extra safety.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Buffalo]

Blu-meanie,

You are probably right in being concerned about your 5 year old Marathons. Most likely they are not of the new and improved design which incorporates a nylon belt along with the polyester and steel belts, on the tread.

The polyester and steel belts can expand when hot. The nylon belt, on the outside of the tread belts, acts like a girdle for the other belts. It does not expand when hot and holds everything together.

If you can, try to find the Towmaster distributor, in your area. They may sell the tires directly to you at a much cheaper price. That's how I was able to buy mine. $62. 00/ea. for 225/75/15/D's.

Hope this helps. Joe F. (Buffalo)