Tire dilema/question

[idtrout1]

Within the next 3 months I will be replacing the tires on my 5th wheel (28'). I have read many of the posts on tires and recommendations but could not find an answer to my question. My tires on the trailer are 225 15" with an 8 ply rating, I thought about putting LT tires on but can not find any LT tire in a 15" with a rating of 8 or 10 ply. So now I'm back to looking at trailer tires and selection seems limited in a 15". So any suggestions or experiences you have had running 15" tires.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

JIMNLIN wrote:
At one time all 1/2 ton trucks came with 15" tires so we had many different sizes and load ranges to choose from for our trailers. Not many 15" LT tires are mfg'd anymore.

My 28' 11200 lb 5er came with ST225/75-15 D Marathons on 5200 lb axles .
I won't use any brand ST tires on heavy trailers so I upgraded to a 16" LT 215/85-16 E at 2680 lbs capacity. I now have around 45k miles on the second set after running the 1st set for seven years and 55k miles. I've had zero problems with them.

A good experienced tire dealer can check your trailer out if the taller 16" tires and wheels will have proper clearance. Dexter says 2 3/4" at the top of the wheel well and 1" between the tires on std leaf spring suspensions will work.

X-2 on "JIMLINs" info.

You can do some easy preliminary clearance checks on any of the size comparison charts on the 'net.
Enter tire size you have -vs- your potential choice.
Size results in inches.

~

[billkaufmann]

laknox wrote:

57 Panhead wrote:
If I couldn't put LT tires on I would go with Maxxis ST tires. I have run them before and they were excellent tires.

Steve

x2 on the Maxxis.

Lyle

x3 Maxxis

[Lantley]

The most widely used and tested solution is to upgrade your rims to 16" and then you will have a decent selection of LT tires

[Hamnet]

Ok, here is my experience. I have a 2001 27' skyline layton and it weighs in at 8680# empty. I just weighed it the other day. I originally had 15" rims and tires. After a total of 6 blowouts over the years, I finally changed to 16" a few months ago. I run E rated tires and keep at 80#. Not sure how old your unit is, but please check the leaf springs for damage. Mine were original and 12 years old. The Callifornia freeways are horable and the rv takes a beating. Our last outing a few weeks ago, we had two rear broken leaf springs a few miles from home. The rear tires/axle moved forward and we were tire to tire and smoking. Also, one of the front leaf springs had the second leaf broke. I was lucky we didn't have 3 broken springs and a major problem.

[Lowsuv]

There is a good solution that uses your current 15 inch wheels , that will fit your wheel wells :
There are at least 2 different LT graded tires in a 225/70 R15 size that can be fitted to your current wheels .
Neither are made in china.
Recent discussions on this forum have shown that LT tires are graded using a tougher standard .

Goodyear Cargo G26 rated 2470 # , made in germany and france.
Continental Vanco 2 rated 2470#, made in germany and slovokia .
i ordered continentals from tire rack on a monday and they were delivered by wednesday recently .
Goodyear G26:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Cargo+G26&partnum=27R5G26&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&tab=Specs

Continental Vanco 2 :
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=Vanco+2&partnum=27R5V2&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&tab=Specs

Paradigm Two : " The best way to improve your chances of not having a tire failure is to increase the load weight rating in pounds as shown on the sidewall .That is measurable ."
Paradigm Three : "To rely on brand for improvement is similar to going to a casino . That is not measurable "

[idtrout1]

Thanks everyone for your replies, I'm going to do some digging around based on the feedback. My trailer weighs around 8,400 which rules out many of the LT in 15". But i will look into maybe converting to 16" wheels and also check out Maxxis and couple other names thrown out. I don't put on a lot of miles and never drive over 65mph. Current tires are towmaster and carlise brand 4-5 years old. Having had 2 blowouts in the past i would rather replace than be sitting along the freeway somewhere in 100 degree temperature.

[Me_Again]

Look and see if one of these meets your needs. Watch rim width however.

http://www.maxxis.com/AutomobileLight-Truck/Light-Truck-SUV/UE-168N-Bravo-Series.aspx

Chris

[laknox]

57 Panhead wrote:
If I couldn't put LT tires on I would go with Maxxis ST tires. I have run them before and they were excellent tires.

Steve

x2 on the Maxxis.

Lyle

[JIMNLIN]

At one time all 1/2 ton trucks came with 15" tires so we had many different sizes and load ranges to choose from for our trailers. Not many 15" LT tires are mfg'd anymore.

My 28' 11200 lb 5er came with ST225/75-15 D Marathons on 5200 lb axles .
I won't use any brand ST tires on heavy trailers so I upgraded to a 16" LT 215/85-16 E at 2680 lbs capacity. I now have around 45k miles on the second set after running the 1st set for seven years and 55k miles. I've had zero problems with them.

A good experienced tire dealer can check your trailer out if the taller 16" tires and wheels will have proper clearance. Dexter says 2 3/4" at the top of the wheel well and 1" between the tires on std leaf spring suspensions will work.

[sail2liv]

How many years/miles did you get on the ones you have now? Do you drive at or near max tire speed? Do you carry more than 80% max capacity of tire inflated to max cold tp..? What is on there now? Good luck

[57_Panhead]

If I couldn't put LT tires on I would go with Maxxis ST tires. I have run them before and they were excellent tires.

Steve

[time2roll]

What is the trailer GVWR?
GY has a 15" LT rated 2095 pounds.

[FastEagle]

idtrout1 wrote:
Within the next 3 months I will be replacing the tires on my 5th wheel (28'). I have read many of the posts on tires and recommendations but could not find an answer to my question. My tires on the trailer are 225 15" with an 8 ply rating, I thought about putting LT tires on but can not find any LT tire in a 15" with a rating of 8 or 10 ply. So now I'm back to looking at trailer tires and selection seems limited in a 15". So any suggestions or experiences you have had running 15" tires.

The ST225/75R15 tire is manufactured by a number of brand names in LRE (10 ply rated).

FastEagle

[elkhorn98]

There are a few D range 15" LTs

Contential vanco 2
Goodyear wrangler ht 215s