Tire blowouts

First thing I would do is WEIGH the rig. Are you overweight. Axle weight means little if you're overloading them anyway.....JMHO, but you can't make an intelligent decision without all the pertinent facts. And, yes all three of your questions could have a adverse effect on your tires....Dennis

Go to 16" 8 lug 7000 lb axle. It solved my problems of Broken wheels. I had 6 lug 15" E tires. Upgraded and went to heavier load range tire too. The existing axle is 7000 lb. I called the axle co. (AL-CO)and they told me it was fine to switch to 8 lug 16 in. hub and wheel. On my TH anyway. The 15" 6 lug wheel was stamped 2600 lb. which gave me only 10,400 GVW.with those wheels. The TH is rated at 11,800.

I have a 27' 5th wheel. Over the years I have had (5) blowouts. I have 15", E rated tires from Les Schwabb for trailers. I have two 5200 # axles with the 5th wheel being rated at GVWR of 12,000 #. A few questions,
(1) I have had in storage for twelve months with little use.
(2) bent axles a possibility?
(3) wheels out of alignment?

I am looking at going with 7000 # axles, stay with 15" tires or should I go with 16" tires,
Stay with E rated tires or go higher rated tires.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Go with 16" wheels. I have had good luck with Good Year G rated tires. You can't beat Good Years warranty tire policy and their willingness to pay for any damage to your trailer as the result of the tire blow out:)

I bought several junk ST tires from LS while my Carlisle's died one at a time and ended up with a bulge and a slipped belt.
Finally got the Maxxis and haven't had a failure since.

Les Schwab guys tried to sell me on Towmasters, I declined and had them order Maxxis 8008. Towed over 20K miles on rough roads and some 75 MPH looong hauls where speed limits allowed, never had any problems. I had them balanced with metal stems, bearings lubed and wheel alignment checked OK. Something to consider. Virtually all trailer tires are made in China. Sometimes they will spend months on a slow freighter, then more months in a warehouse. I have heard of "new" tires that are 3 years old. Most experts say 5 years MAX on trailer tires, regardless of whether they are covered when not in use. Also, sitting for long periods is not good. There is a preservative compound in tires that is designed to be released and migrate to the tire surface when traveling. This compound "dries up" if the tires sit or if someone details them with a silicon compound and they will dry rot. When you buy tires, ask for recent date codes.

My last set of STs lasted 4 years, almost to the day, and they were only on the ground (I store it raised up) for 1 month worth of camping trips. They seem to have a time limit regardless of any other conditions... at least in this desert. I have 6 lug hubs so I went to 16" LTs. No problem since. Craig