17.5 tires

[Forddude11]

Right now I am running 235/85 Goodyear G614's on my 16,000# GVW fifth wheel. My pin is just under 3,000# at 2984#. I am looking to change the tires as they are carrying a 2009 date code on them... I have the ability to jump to 17.5 rims and tires.. I can't imagine there are any cons to make this move other than initial cost , but will ask anyway....Should I save the money and just do the direct replacement , or make the jump? Are the G114's hard to find on the road if needed ?..THX in advance..

[Denny___Jami]

We are running 17.5 Sumitomo H tires. After 2 sets of GY 614 G with treads coming off both sets I went to tire that will last.

Denny

[ramburgy]

We had G614's on our Cameo as upgrade from Carriage. They had about 20,000 miles on them, and were 3 years old when one exploded and did $6,500 in damage to our trailer. We were going 55 mph, and the tires had 110 psi. We just had the tires inspected and told they were good. The $6,500 did not include the road service. We did everthing by the book to take care of them, including keeping them covered.

Please take my advice, get the 17.5 wheels and tires.

[Forddude11]

pcm1959 wrote:
We ordered the Goodyear 114 series 17.5 tires on our new fiver. The Goodyear is the only reputable manufacturer of a high capacity rated 16" trailer tire. Yet it the 17.5 size, there are about 6 or 8 decent manufactures. The 17.5 is slightly less in diameter than the g614 yet, at least what others report, the 17.5 is a much more reliable tire choice. Phillip

Who are some of the other decent manufacturers that have a good 17.5 tire?

[pcm1959]

We ordered the Goodyear 114 series 17.5 tires on our new fiver. The Goodyear is the only reputable manufacturer of a high capacity rated 16" trailer tire. Yet it the 17.5 size, there are about 6 or 8 decent manufactures. The 17.5 is slightly less in diameter than the g614 yet, at least what others report, the 17.5 is a much more reliable tire choice. Phillip

[kakampers]

After watching one of our 2 year old G614's throw it's entire tread, the upgrade to 17.5 G114's was a no-brainer! Absolutely zero issues with these tires since!!

[Hunter11]

We just ordered a new unit and it came with 16" G614 tires standard. The upgrade to 17.5 G114 tires and wheels was a $900 option. For me that was a no brainer considering what it would have cost us to upgrade after the fact.

[Peg_Leg]

Switching rims you need to check the offset to make sure the new tire won't hit the frame or the outside wheel well openings. Then make sure you have the clearance for the larger diameter.

Now days you can get on the internet and have a product shipped to you in a couple of days. It will still cost less than a total makeover.

[samandtheduck]

I blew two 16" tires (not Goodyear) and it ruined two outings and tied up my trailer for repairs. I read about the G614 and just about the time I would decide to get them someone would say "Goodyear payed for the damage when we had a blowout". I didn't want this to happen and didn't read of any problems with the 17.5" tires so I changed over. More upfront cash but I am comfortable with my choice.

[Cummins12V98]

I would stick with the GY G tires in 16" with your weight. My MS weighs at least 18K and the original GY G's went 5 years with the spare never hitting the ground. I did go with the GY H 17.5 and Alcoa's. Bought mine from trailertiresandwheels.com mounted and balanced.

[fsujeeper]

i would go with 17.5's. I believe it would be harder to find a 16 inch tire with a 3900 lb rating on the road, than a 17.5. all of the commercial shops carry them and are in stock. Also the 17.5 is about 1000 lbs more in capacity than the 16. Only downfall is the weight, 17.5 combo weighs over 100 lbs.

[Luke_Porter]

When I found one, it was $500.

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

If you have had tire problems go with the 17.5 tires and rims. We have G614s on our 5er and had five claims with Goodyears due to tread sepration and they GY always paid. We upgraded to 17.5 and have never had another tire problem.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

[ford_truck_guy]

I too would stay with the G614's...I would think the cost of upgrading all 4 tires and wheels would be very expensive... If your pin is just about 3,000# , that leaves about 3,200# per tire. The G614's are rated for 3,750#... That's a very good cushion.... A lot more than most I would guess,,

[Forddude11]

Thanks for your comments so far... That is exactly what I was thinking , but sometimes us men need to hear it from other guys and not just our wives ! :B

[720Deere]

Ric Flair wrote:
Stick with the G614's and trade the money you would have spent on 17.5 rims for a cool camping trip and new memories.

I'm with Ric on this one. G114s are going to be tougher than your current G614, but even the G614 gives you plenty of safety factor. If I was buying a new trailer, I would definitely take the 17.5s as an option, but I wouldn't spend the money to convert a 16" setup over to 17.5".