A little background. I have a 40 foot, 2009 Montana 5th wheel. The placard on the side says the GVWR is 15600+ and the tires that are suppose to be used are shown to be 235/80R16 Load Range E 10 ply tire. I have had the trailer weighed and it is anywhere from 11,000 to 13,500 pounds. I say any where because I have had it weighed several times over the last three years. I have blown several tires in the last few years. After many phone calls to many tire gurus and talking with Drexel Axle people I have come to the conclusion that I have to upgrade my tires to Load Range F 12 ply. Those tires are 235/85R16. This means upgrading the wheels also since the ones I have will only allow air pressure up to 80 pounds and the Load Range F require 95 pounds of pressure. There is no scuffing of the tires and it is suggested that there is not an alignment problem. Do you know how many trailer axle alignment businesses are out there? I haven't been able to find any very close to my location. After discussions with Drexel Axle and several tire dealers, they don't think I have an alignment problem since no specific tire or tire location fails.Basically the question is.... am I going down the right road? I have had suggestions of going to Load Range G 16 inch tires requiring 110 pounds of pressure. It has also been suggested that I go to a 19.5 tire. The G 16 and the 19.5 tires are 14 ply.Please let me know. I am going to make the change soon and the cost can be costly.

If you plan to keep the trailer for a long time get the bigger wheels and tires. (17.5")I upgraded to 16" HD wheels and G rated tires that require 110#'s of pressure several years ago. If I had it to do over I would go 17.5" because you have more tire options with heavier load ratings.

Why not contact Montana and ask them what the recommended upgrade would be? They can probably tell you. As far as tires you will get recommendations for every brand made (it seems) but all will say to stay away from the chinese made tires (good luck). Take all of it with a BIG grain of salt. There isn't a brand of tire made that hasn't had a blowout at one time or another and all get posted. The RVer's that don't have blowouts usually don't post. Keep that in mind.Asking about tires on here is like kicking a fire ant bed....

If I were going to have to buy new wheels, I would get the 17.5 inch. Much more choice in tires and I think they are cheaper. Did you look on the back side of the wheel to see what the maximum pressure was or are you assuming it is 80? My trailer came with the same size tires but my rims were rated 110 psi. I went with 235/85 16 load range G at 110 psi.

I think I would check out the 19.5 inch tires and rims. If you get the 17.5 they still will cost an arm and leg this way you get the 19.5 on the truck too and you have 2 spares and you always have a good tire or 2 when you change the truck tires. Just a thought.

dbbls wrote:If I were going to have to buy new wheels, I would get the 17.5 inch. Much more choice in tires and I think they are cheaper. Did you look on the back side of the wheel to see what the maximum pressure was or are you assuming it is 80? My trailer came with the same size tires but my rims were rated 110 psi. I went with 235/85 16 load range G at 110 psi.X2I replaced the 16" wheels and tires on my trailer with 17.5 in March and could not be more pleased. Yes.....cost some bucks, but would do it again. Have put about 3,000 miles on them and highly recommend them.

Tires Upgrade | Good Sam Community

titleman
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
dbbls wrote:
If I were going to have to buy new wheels, I would get the 17.5 inch. Much more choice in tires and I think they are cheaper. Did you look on the back side of the wheel to see what the maximum pressure was or are you assuming it is 80? My trailer came with the same size tires but my rims were rated 110 psi. I went with 235/85 16 load range G at 110 psi.

X2

I replaced the 16" wheels and tires on my trailer with 17.5 in March and could not be more pleased. Yes.....cost some bucks, but would do it again. Have put about 3,000 miles on them and highly recommend them.
hammer21661
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
I think I would check out the 19.5 inch tires and rims. If you get the 17.5 they still will cost an arm and leg this way you get the 19.5 on the truck too and you have 2 spares and you always have a good tire or 2 when you change the truck tires. Just a thought.
dbbls
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
If I were going to have to buy new wheels, I would get the 17.5 inch. Much more choice in tires and I think they are cheaper. Did you look on the back side of the wheel to see what the maximum pressure was or are you assuming it is 80? My trailer came with the same size tires but my rims were rated 110 psi. I went with 235/85 16 load range G at 110 psi.
avvidclif1
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
Why not contact Montana and ask them what the recommended upgrade would be? They can probably tell you. As far as tires you will get recommendations for every brand made (it seems) but all will say to stay away from the chinese made tires (good luck). Take all of it with a BIG grain of salt. There isn't a brand of tire made that hasn't had a blowout at one time or another and all get posted. The RVer's that don't have blowouts usually don't post. Keep that in mind.

Asking about tires on here is like kicking a fire ant bed....
fly-boy
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
If you plan to keep the trailer for a long time get the bigger wheels and tires. (17.5")

I upgraded to 16" HD wheels and G rated tires that require 110#'s of pressure several years ago. If I had it to do over I would go 17.5" because you have more tire options with heavier load ratings.

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