But the cost is pretty significant.Here's the background:We have a Heartland Cyclone 3010 Toy hauler. I'm not sure how much it weighs fully loaded. I'm going to guess no more than 6-7 tons? We don't travel very often. Some weekends we go 60 miles each way. Maybe one or two big trips (from NJ to Ottowa canada then to Lake Placid NY). Only during the Spring, Summer, Fall. So a total of 15-20 trips a year. Maybe less. What's prompting this is that we have a bubble on one tire from the stock/OEM tires from the factory. The Rig is only 2 years old. (side note - the manufacturer of the tire may replace or give back some money if it is a defect)So when I posted about replacing it, a lot of people chimed in and said go from the 16 to the 17.5. The problem is... to do that it will cost $500 (hercules) - 700 (goodyear) for each tires for rims and tires (LT). The replace the tires with ST tires, it wil cost $150 per tire give or take. So I'm considering 1) replace the one tire for now 2) replace all 4 tires 3) replace tires and wheels and change to 17.5" but we don't have the money right now....I'm afraid to ask, but what are your thoughts?

First of all you need to get your rig fully loaded weighed... Once you have the weight you'll know if you have overloaded the tires and suspension. If you are not overweight then you need to make a tire decision.After a year of research, I decided to go with Michelin XPS Ribs for my 15000lb 5th wheel. These are LT tires and based on reviews, the tires have performed well for casual RVers as well as fulltime RVers. Many claim the tires still had plenty of tread even after 60,000 miles. Most replaced the tires due to age rather than low tread or damage.For as little as you use your toyhauler, I wouldn't go to a large expense..maybe replace the one tire, make sure all tires are properly inflated and then keep a close eye on the tires for signs of possible problems.

For ballpark planning purposes: gross weight for your rig as given at this link is 15,500 lbs.Dunno why folks are telling you to upsize wheels and all- if you're concerned that the 16's are on the ragged edge of not-enough-capacity you might consider just moving up in load range, from "E" to "F". A friend of mine with a similar fiver did just that- he thought the tires that came on the rig were too near their max load and replaced them with LR-F tires like the ones at this linkLink corrected on edit

So why not Goodyear G614 LRG tires. What is the max load rating on the rims that you have now? If you have GY Marathon tires, lobby GY for the upgrade to G614's.Chris

Me Again wrote:So why not Goodyear G614 LRG tires. What is the max load rating on the rims that you have now? If you have GY Marathon tires, lobby GY for the upgrade to G614's.ChrisI also went to the g614's . . . .if the rims are rated for 110 , go for it....the g614's are rated for 3750# per tire.. Do the math... That's 15,000# on the axles then add the pin... Don't get me wrong , the conversion is nice but not needed on a trailer of that weight... At least in my eyes

Thanks for the info. I will weigh the RV fully loaded when we start to use it again. I'm not sure where to go. We have weigh stations on the side of the highways but I wasn't sure if we could use it. I think we pass some truck stops that have weigh stations so I'm guessing that's the best place to do so.Francesca Knowles. It looks like the tire you posted is an E-10 rated tire? not F? I went on tire rack and see that the Marathon Radial (Goodyear) is an E rated tire (listed at $135). I called the manufacturer and the spare is the same exact tire as the ones on the trailer. Thanks again for the help.

Considering upgrading from 16' to 17.5" WWYD? | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

buc1980
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Be careful when you buy new tire be sure that are NOT made in China.All the tire come from there are JUNK.
hoopers
Explorer
Mar 12, 2014
porkchop1221 wrote:
fsujeeper. The cost of upgrading to the 17.5 inch combo is 600 per item x 4. The cost of the good year LT tire was in the 300-350 range (I think). It's not cheaper unless you have found something cheaper that I haven't. It seems to be double the cost.

I can't afford $600+ (tax and shipping) on 4 wheels and tires right now since (side note). I just had to pay 6k in deductible for my high deductible insurance.

But thanks for the opinion. We would love to upgrade in the future and if I was a full timer I would really consider doing it, but as it is, the more I think about it, the more think that I really need to find a cost effective alternative until funds can come up again. It's a hobby for me, not my main mode of living and transportation.

My wallet cried a long time when I made the switch from 16 to 17.5". I finally ended up spending about 1900 bucks for 4 Sumitomo tires and rims. But I was able to sell my old rims and tires for about 350 bucks on craigslist, so that helped my wallet feel better.

There is this website also:
Link

And there is this company that is competitive on tires (not rims).
Tires easy
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Mar 12, 2014
Me Again wrote:
The GY G614 is GY high end trailer tire. It is the same diameter as the Marathon ST235/80R16E. Rating goes for 3420 with the Marathon to 3750 with the G614. However your wheels have to be able to handle 110 inflation to use the full 3750 rating. What is the listed GAWR and GVWR on the placard on the left from corner?

There is another LRG tire in the Sailun that cost a lot less, however it is larger in diameter, so you need at least 33+ inches between the axles. Being a TH you should not have clearance issue above the tires.

http://simpletire.com/sailun-235-85r16-8244393-tires

Just about 99.99 percent of ST tires will perform similar to the ones you currently have. So if you what to get off that treadmill then you need to go to higher quality tires.

Chris

I looked up the model and pasted a few bits of "needful information".

Specifications for Model CY 3010
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) 15,500 lbs
Dry Weight 10,935 lbs
Hitch Weight 2,300 lbs
Carrying Capacity
Width 8' 5"
Height 13' 3"
Length 36' 0"
Sq. Ft.
Sleeping Capacity 7+ People
Axles (2) 7,000 lbs
Tires ST235/80R16-E

Chris is right on his points listed above. .I also don't understand the need for 17.5" wheels/tires on a 5th wheel with GVW of 15,500#...though he does have 7,000# rated axles.

My 5er has 7,000# axle ratings and came with the GY G614's....expensive tire, but a great tire...GVW on my 5er is 16,900#....loaded to 15,920# and a pin weight of 3340, puts 12,580 on my two axles. ( as stated by Chris, the GY G614 has a capacity of 3750# each)

We don't know that much about the Sailun, but it has some great credentials behind the manufacturer...I will look at their tire when it's time to replace my GY G614's, time will tell.

States your 5er came with E rated tires, so 80 psi rating?.... If you can't get wheels rated for 110# air pressure, I'd look at a "E" rated tire that can handle the weight on your axles. If they can take 110 psi, I'd go with a G rated tire as mentioned above.
porkchop1221
Explorer
Mar 12, 2014
fsujeeper. The cost of upgrading to the 17.5 inch combo is 600 per item x 4. The cost of the good year LT tire was in the 300-350 range (I think). It's not cheaper unless you have found something cheaper that I haven't. It seems to be double the cost.

I can't afford $600+ (tax and shipping) on 4 wheels and tires right now since (side note). I just had to pay 6k in deductible for my high deductible insurance.

But thanks for the opinion. We would love to upgrade in the future and if I was a full timer I would really consider doing it, but as it is, the more I think about it, the more think that I really need to find a cost effective alternative until funds can come up again. It's a hobby for me, not my main mode of living and transportation.
dballentine
Explorer
Mar 11, 2014
Jerry B wrote:

What is the issue with the necessity for 33inches between tires. I am considering buying the Sailuns. Thanks.

If the tires are larger than 33" in diameter (in your case), they'll hit each other. Each tire on a side can use only half of the spacing between the two tandem axles.
fsujeeper
Explorer
Mar 11, 2014
upgrade to the 17.5's. We went with rickson for wheels and never looked back. new rim and tire were cheaper than a goodyear 16 inch tire.
Jerry_B
Explorer
Mar 11, 2014
Me Again wrote:
The GY G614 is GY high end trailer tire. It is the same diameter as the Marathon ST235/80R16E. Rating goes for 3420 with the Marathon to 3750 with the G614. However your wheels have to be able to handle 110 inflation to use the full 3750 rating. What is the listed GAWR and GVWR on the placard on the left from corner?

There is another LRG tire in the Sailun that cost a lot less, however it is larger in diameter, so you need at least 33+ inches between the axles. Being a TH you should not have clearance issue above the tires.

http://simpletire.com/sailun-235-85r16-8244393-tires

Just about 99.99 percent of ST tires will perform similar to the ones you currently have. So if you what to get off that treadmill then you need to go to higher quality tires.

Chris

What is the issue with the necessity for 33inches between tires. I am considering buying the Sailuns. Thanks.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Mar 11, 2014
Francesca Knowles wrote:
porkchop1221 wrote:

Francesca Knowles. It looks like the tire you posted is an E-10 rated tire? not F?

Sorry! Grabbed the wrong link. This is the right one.

Usability for you will depend on your existing rims being good for the 95 PSI air pressure.

That tire is 1" larger in diameter, so clearance between axles has to be looked at similar to the Sailun offering. Chris
Me_Again
Explorer III
Mar 11, 2014
The GY G614 is GY high end trailer tire. It is the same diameter as the Marathon ST235/80R16E. Rating goes for 3420 with the Marathon to 3750 with the G614. However your wheels have to be able to handle 110 inflation to use the full 3750 rating. What is the listed GAWR and GVWR on the placard on the left from corner?

There is another LRG tire in the Sailun that cost a lot less, however it is larger in diameter, so you need at least 33+ inches between the axles. Being a TH you should not have clearance issue above the tires.

http://simpletire.com/sailun-235-85r16-8244393-tires

Just about 99.99 percent of ST tires will perform similar to the ones you currently have. So if you what to get off that treadmill then you need to go to higher quality tires.

Chris
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Mar 11, 2014
porkchop1221 wrote:

Francesca Knowles. It looks like the tire you posted is an E-10 rated tire? not F?

Sorry! Grabbed the wrong link. This is the right one.

Usability for you will depend on your existing rims being good for the 95 PSI air pressure.