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Nevadastars's avatar
Nevadastars
Explorer
Jan 20, 2018

Question going from 15" to 16" tires

I will be upgrading to 16" but am a little concerned about distance between the front and rear tires. With the current 225/75/15's, I have roughly 4 1/4" clearance between the tires. With 235/85/16's I figure there would be 2.5" which doesn't seem like very much.

There is also the 235/80/16 size which is not quite as tall and would have about 3.4" of clearance. I prefer the taller size because the trailer is a little nose high with the stock tires and the 235/85's would help level it. What is the usual clearance with that size tire/wheel combination. Thanks for any help.

40 Replies

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  • Allworth's avatar
    Allworth
    Explorer II
    Jan 20, 2018
    You might want to consider 245/75R16 tires. The additional 10mm width gives you a little more contact patch without increasing the diameter.

    (Load Range "E", of course.)
  • Nevadastars's avatar
    Nevadastars
    Explorer
    Jan 20, 2018
    Me Again wrote:
    Dexter spec is 1" or more. For LT235/85R16E's you need axles that are 33" center to center of more. That is the best measurement to go by. That says that you have the clearance above the tires also. Chris


    Just went and measured mine and they are 32 1/2" center to center. But from what everyone else said, I should be fine.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jan 20, 2018
    No issue between the tires, but like Chris mentioned, you need to also look at clearance between top of tire to wheel well. Best to maintain 2+ inches there.

    Jerry
  • Nevadastars's avatar
    Nevadastars
    Explorer
    Jan 20, 2018
    donn0128 wrote:
    I have less than 2 inches. Been that way for the past 12 years with no issues


    Cool, that's all I need to know.....thanks.
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Jan 20, 2018
    Dexter spec is 1" or more. For LT235/85R16E's you need axles that are 33" center to center of more. That is the best measurement to go by. That says that you have the clearance above the tires also. Chris
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Jan 20, 2018
    I have less than 2 inches. Been that way for the past 12 years with no issues
  • bfast54's avatar
    bfast54
    Explorer
    Jan 20, 2018
    Well let's put it this way .....if your tires grow 1 and 1/4 inches in use.... you better patent them and sell them.....:W
  • Nevadastars's avatar
    Nevadastars
    Explorer
    Jan 20, 2018
    azrving wrote:
    All that matters is that they don't touch.


    Ok, that is what I assumed, but really have no idea how much they "grow", if at all. Thanks for the quick reply.

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