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

porkchop1221
Explorer
Mar 11, 2014
Does it matter that it's a 235/80/16?

The Goodyear G614 LRG is a LT vs an ST tire? The list price on the LT is $360 it looks like on trailers tires and wheels.

There is so much to learn about tires. I'm a bit overwhelmed with all the choices. Thanks again for the help.
porkchop1221
Explorer
Mar 11, 2014
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.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Mar 11, 2014
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.

Chris

I 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
Me_Again
Explorer III
Mar 11, 2014
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
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Mar 11, 2014
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 link

Link corrected on edit
the_bear_II
Explorer
Mar 11, 2014
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.

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Considering upgrading from 16' to 17.5" WWYD?

16 Replies

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