ST205/75R/14C Tire Choices - Not Too Many Choices

Use metal valve stems for added protection and support of TPMS.

Since the max psi on the Maxxis will be 50 I probably don't need a high pressure metal valve but some of the tire monitoring systems I have looked at recommend them for the sensors.

dmullen wrote:
Thank you everyone who posted for the good information and assistance...as everyone knows this is a great forum!

After reading so many different opinions for weeks on here and every other forum I could find I have decided to keep this simple and safe and go with the MAXXIS M8008 215/75R14 radial tires.

Good reviews - perfect psi match for my wheels - slight upgrade from the factory 205's which is a plus - I always tow under 65 mph - these tires are specifically designed for what I am needing - good price.

I plan to not keep the TT parked on the grass or gravel when not in use and will put tires covers over them as well. I will get some metal valve stems so that I can add a tire monitoring system as well.

You mention metal valve stems. What I went to when I went up to load range D was the ones described here as "tubeless snap in valve for high pressure":

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=208

I was just talking chatting online with Discount Tire to get an idea of what the DOT date was on the Maxxis tires I was considering and the representative said..."Don't worry, we sell so many of these tires that I can assure you the DOT date is no older than 2-3 years."

Update...Now I am getting "I was just confirming with my manager here and he said they will not be 2-3 years old. I was misinforming you, I am sorry. They will be fresh."

:)

Thank you everyone who posted for the good information and assistance...as everyone knows this is a great forum!

After reading so many different opinions for weeks on here and every other forum I could find I have decided to keep this simple and safe and go with the MAXXIS M8008 215/75R14 radial tires.

Good reviews - perfect psi match for my wheels - slight upgrade from the factory 205's which is a plus - I always tow under 65 mph - these tires are specifically designed for what I am needing - good price.

I plan to not keep the TT parked on the grass or gravel when not in use and will put tires covers over them as well. I will get some metal valve stems so that I can add a tire monitoring system as well.

Also, from what I have been reading, my rims should have no problems with the 65psi even though they are rated at 50psi? I do intend to get metal high pressure valve stems.

Who ever told you that hasn't a clue and shouldn't be passing out that type of info. Stick with what PSI and load rating is on the wheel....same for the tires.

Tires might be close in price but I'd rather not have to buy a new set of wheels since I would need 5.

I always use the OEM as a spare. Trailers unlike a car/truck/van/suv can run with a different size tire as a spare till I can find tire shop to fix the tire problem.
My current trailer has the OEM ST225/75-15 D tire as the spare. I've upgraded to LT215/85-16 E on this trailer.
Same with my equipment trailers when I was on the road, some had a different size tire spare. They were used as a temp tire till I could get on down the road to the next tire shop which may have been 25 miles or several hundred miles.

So the Khumo 205R14C will fit my 14x6 factory rims as long as I have enough clearance from the top of the tire to the bottom of the camper? What is considered "enough clearance?"

Looks like the Euro sized 195R14C would be perfect but I am having a hard time finding them anywhere.

Also, from what I have been reading, my rims should have no problems with the 65psi even though they are rated at 50psi? I do intend to get metal high pressure valve stems.

dmullen wrote:
Tire Rack has two sizes of the Kumho 857 - 185R14C and 205R14C.

Are both metric sizes?

Yes the are both a "metric size". These tires are a "82 series" section height. So, by comparison to a 205/75-14, the Kumho 205-14 has a slightly larger overall diameter.

That is why I chose the 185, because I do not have any additional clearance under my trailer for a larger diameter tire.
Going from the original 205/75, to a 185 Kumho, the diameter is just slightly smaller ( 2/10" ) and the measured width at the tread was slightly less than 1/2 narrower. Since I went from a load range C to a load range D, the tire load capacity is 120 pounds greater with the Kumho.

The sizing on Kumhos is slightly different than US market tires. For example, the 205R14C Kumho has a 27" diameter. The Goodyear Marathon ST205/75R14 has a diameter of 26.1". They both fit a 14" wheel.

I'm quite happy with my Kuhmo's. I had Discount Tire put in steel valve stems so my factory rims easily handle the 65 PSI.