16" conversion with LT tires again

[htwheelz67]

I have a WW fs3000 3 axle toyhauler, always used Maxxis 225 75 15 E tires never a failure until last month didn't even know and scratched up my siding a bit, so I am contemplating doing the 16" switch with LT tires, I don't have flipped axles but from my measurements a 225/75/16 will fit with no mods, barely 1" diff in diameter, sect width, tread width pretty much identical. I found new WW style 16x6 rims that will fit perfect for 80 bucks a pop. My trailer is an aluminum sided model, comes with 225/75/15 d tires rated at 2540 lbs, my maxxis E's are rated at 2830 lbs, the 225 75 16 E rated LT tires are rated at 2680 lbs.

Is my assumption correct that the LT tires which are rated higher than D's lower than E st tires should do the job? if I subtract the 10% for LT tires it is lower than the D rated st tires but about 1500 lbs over the 13k GVW of the trailer be adequate? I think the lower heat/ higher speed rating, made in the USA (a huge plus) offsets the minor weight ratings plus 1400 is tongue weight. Mich XPS are way overkill, I can get bridgestone durvais 500 for about 160 a tire or a good usa hiway tire for about 125 each, I look at my overloaded plumbing box vans even with the cheapest MIC LT tires I have never had a failure with 4 tires holding 9800 lbs with a combined load rating of 12k. Got to pull the trigger next week, 875.00 for 6 maxxis st 225 75 15 E's or about 1800 for 7 new rims and LT tires. I'm leaning the 16" LT tires. I drive 260 miles trailer is parked for 6 months in Parker AZ, drive back 260 miles and go to the dessert 3-5 times a year max maybe 1200 miles so maybe 2k a year at the absolute max.

[AH64ID]

I just did the 16" swap with R500s and I am so far very pleased with their towing performance. I never had any ST issues but wanted stronger tread for better puncture resistance.

I would be rather leery of 6 tires for under $500, they sound pretty cheap. It is also odd it has a speed rating other than 65 and that their website shows a load index. ST tires use neither. Their website also lists them as a mobile house tire.

[lincster]

htwheelz67 wrote:
the rims I wanted were out of stock they told me a couple weeks at least, weekend warrior style so I decided in the interim to buy some new st tires, I actually had good luck with maxxis and westlake, turns out the new westlake st tires have a very similar design to the maxxis with a nylon cap, got 6 on ebay 225 75 15 10 ply E tires for 491.00 shipped to my door, then the next day my rims showed up........go figure. I'll use these for a year or so and then do the LT conversion, one thing I noticed on the westlake tires is the DOT code showed they were made 2 months ago and the max speed rating is now 75 mph vs 65 mph. The westlakes seem to be a very nice beefy tire much like the maxxis but around 80 a tire vs 130. no tax and free shipping too.

When it comes to tires, u get what u pay for.

[Strabo]

htwheelz67 wrote:
the rims I wanted were out of stock they told me a couple weeks at least, weekend warrior style so I decided in the interim to buy some new st tires, I actually had good luck with maxxis and westlake, turns out the new westlake st tires have a very similar design to the maxxis with a nylon cap, got 6 on ebay 225 75 15 10 ply E tires for 491.00 shipped to my door, then the next day my rims showed up........go figure. I'll use these for a year or so and then do the LT conversion, one thing I noticed on the westlake tires is the DOT code showed they were made 2 months ago and the max speed rating is now 75 mph vs 65 mph. The westlakes seem to be a very nice beefy tire much like the maxxis but around 80 a tire vs 130. no tax and free shipping too.

Atleast you have NEW tires, regardless of size or type, so thats a big plus!!!

[htwheelz67]

the rims I wanted were out of stock they told me a couple weeks at least, weekend warrior style so I decided in the interim to buy some new st tires, I actually had good luck with maxxis and westlake, turns out the new westlake st tires have a very similar design to the maxxis with a nylon cap, got 6 on ebay 225 75 15 10 ply E tires for 491.00 shipped to my door, then the next day my rims showed up........go figure. I'll use these for a year or so and then do the LT conversion, one thing I noticed on the westlake tires is the DOT code showed they were made 2 months ago and the max speed rating is now 75 mph vs 65 mph. The westlakes seem to be a very nice beefy tire much like the maxxis but around 80 a tire vs 130. no tax and free shipping too.

[lincster]

I had that exact same trailer and did that exact upgrade. Everything fits and works great. No more worrying about tires after that.

[baker01]

I have been using 225 75 16 E on my WW FSC3200 for 5 years. No issues. I bought steel wheels online for $50 each.

[TexasChaps]

Might I suggest Maxxis UE168n Bravo at $132 ea ?

[Helmsey]

What are you axle ratings? If they are 5000lb axles than the LT's you mentioned would work.

[JIMNLIN]

Is my assumption correct that the LT tires which are rated higher than D's lower than E st tires should do the job?

The LT225/75-16 E is rated at 2680 lbs which fits between the 15" ST D and E tires.
Great upgrade from the OEM 15" ST 2540 lb D tire.

if I subtract the 10% for LT tires it is lower than the D rated st tires but about 1500 lbs over the 13k GVW of the trailer be adequate?

There is no subtracting any percentage of capacity when using a LT tire on your trailer...only the P tire has that requirement when used in a truck or trailer position.

Mich XPS are way overkill, I can get bridgestone durvais 500 for about 160 a tire or a good usa hiway tire for about 125 each,

The R500 Bridgstone are a very popular tire on some of the stock haulers/commercial haulers webs I frequent for their trucks and trailers.

Tires like the XPS Ribs and the R250 Bridgestone have a all steel ply carcass are just about bullet proof on a tri axle trailer. Check out the R250 prices vs the XPS...quite a difference.

You can get 16" modular steel trailer wheels at around 45-48 bucks each on line.