Replace stock tires on Lance 1575
I want to replace stock 205/75R14 tires on my Lance 1575 with larger size, 215/75R14 tires. Wondering if they will fit and concerned about bounce causing rubs, scuffs. Thanks for helping.
Forum Discussion
- IIRC Kuhmo used to have a truck tire 205/75/14 with a high weight rating.
Check someone like the Tire Rack or American tire or Discount Tire.
It has been a while. vikigar wrote:
I want to replace stock 205/75R14 tires on my Lance 1575 with larger size, 215/75R14 tires. Wondering if they will fit and concerned about bounce causing rubs, scuffs. Thanks for helping.
I replaced the 205/75R14 OEM tires on my 2012 Lance 1575 with Maxxis 215/75R14 tires and found that there was some scuffing on the top of the wheel wells. I switched axles--the original Dexter axle had a 22.5 degree down angle on the torsion arm, and I went to one with a 32 degree down angle. That provided another 0.7" of clearance and haven't had any scuffing since then. However, if I were to do it again, I would go with a 45 degree down angle for even more clearance; a couple of folks on the Lance Owners of America forum did that and have reported good results.
BruceSoundGuy wrote:
vikigar wrote:
The 205 tires are rated at 1760 lbs of load. the trailer is rated at max weight of 3500 lbs, so only 20 lbs of margin of safety.
You seem to have forgotten that 10% to 15% of the trailer's gross weight is represented as tongue weight and while it's true that once weight distribution is engaged some of that weight will transfer back to the trailer's tires a good portion of it will be carried by the tow vehicle, not the trailer, so in fact your buffer is actually much greater than you seem to believe.
Yes, you're right. I didn't include those details.vikigar wrote:
The 205 tires are rated at 1760 lbs of load. the trailer is rated at max weight of 3500 lbs, so only 20 lbs of margin of safety.
You seem to have forgotten that 10% to 15% of the trailer's gross weight is represented as tongue weight and while it's true that once weight distribution is engaged some of that weight will transfer back to the trailer's tires a good portion of it will be carried by the tow vehicle, not the trailer, so in fact your buffer is actually much greater than you seem to believe.- Thanks for the replies. I have 2" of clearance, top and sides, so larger size should fit. However, the stock rims are 5" and the new tires need min. 5.5" but 6" is recommended. So I will need to buy new rims. The 205 tires are rated at 1760 lbs of load. the trailer is rated at max weight of 3500 lbs, so only 20 lbs of margin of safety. The 215 tires I've selected are rated at 2200 lbs, so 900 lbs of margin and I'm assuming a stronger tire all around. Thanks again for all the input.
beemerphile1 wrote:
It is just about always a good idea, so long as they will fit.
205/75R14 is 26.1" diameter
215/75R14 is 26.6" diameter
How much clearance do you have? The difference is minuscule.
What is the perceived benefit to going larger?- Where inner fender clearance isn't an issue, I upgrade all my trailer tires +1 size. re: 205s to 215s or 225s to 235s.
Why?
I know that many trailer makers build their stuff at "minimum" specs. Nothing more. For more safety buffer (like hitting double railway tracks and/or unseen deep hole), the +1 larger size tire can take the abuse.
With above in mind:
205/75R14 weight rating = 1,760 lbs at 50 psi
215/75R14 weight rating = 1,870 lbs at 50 psi
Note: If 2 x axles, that's almost 400 more lbs buffer increase. Even more buffer if the 215s are "D" rated as well.
Note: +1 tire size doesn't mean trailer can have higher GVWR. It means the tires can now take extra abuse - when its needed.
For my boat trailer, its factory 13" steel rims were over rusted. And, it needed 185 rubber to be replaced as well. For that trailer, it was "less costly" to replace its rims/rubber with new 14" @ 225s. Luckily, it had inner fender clearance for this upgrade. beemerphile1 wrote:
What is the perceived benefit to going larger?
It will tow faster.
:):):)- 205/75R14 is 26.1" diameter
215/75R14 is 26.6" diameter
How much clearance do you have? The difference is minuscule.
What is the perceived benefit to going larger? - That is only 10 MM difference in size from one side of the tread to the other. Unless there is very little room in there now with the stock tires I can't see that that small of an increase would be a problem.
I would measure the distances between the two closest points that are there now (ex. the tire sidewall and trailer frame etc) and see what you have. Bounce should only cause the bottom of the tire to widen where it comes in contact with the road (at least that seems logical to me). It shouldn't bulge or flop around on the top side of the tire.
If you have more than 1 to 2 inches of room at the closest point, going up to the 210's shouldn't hurt. I have slightly less than 1 inch of space on either side of the front tire of my motorcycle and the fender, and after 125,000 miles (on this bike) I've never had the tire hit the fender...even doing 85 on some of Arizona's Finest roads...
But, in saying that, I would listen to those with more experience at travel trailer tires, and take the consensus.
