klr650goldwing wrote:
Durb,
You sound much more knowledgeable than I am about tires. At the moment I'm confused.
You said:
XPS Ribs are fine tires but they are LT tires and only come in 85 aspect ratio as opposed to the 80 series tires you are most likely replacing. The 235/85R16 have a diameter of 32" whereas the 235/80R16 tires you are most likely replacing would average 30.8". Just make sure you have an extra half inch of top clearance to spare to your wheel well and an extra inch between the tires.
1. What brand of tire are you talking about?
2. Are LT tires somehow insufficient? In what way?
3. What specifically do you mean by 85 aspect ratio? As opposed to what?
4. What is the 80 series that you think I am replacing? What is unique about that tire?
5. Are you advocating the 235/85R16 with the diameter of 32"?
6. So you are advocating a tire that has a larger diameter than what you think I have now?
7. Sorry for so many questions. I appreciate your knowledge. I'm just trying to really understand what we are saying here. Thanks.
Most likely you are replacing ST (Special Trailer) tires which are 80 series meaning the side profile is 80% of the tire width. LT (Light Truck) tires generally come in 85 series so they have a taller side profile and larger diameter. The Ribs are more than sufficient for your trailer if they fit. If you feel you don't have room for the slightly larger tires then reconsider.
I would consider the Ribs for my trailer but I only have 2" of clearance from the top of the tire to my trailer, don't want to cut that to 1 1/2". Plus my chocks wouldn't fit.
The best move for this forum is to post the size of your current tires and measure the height from the top of the tire to the wheel well and the minimum distance between the tires. I may be sounding an unnecessary alarm.
