Wheel size upgrade.

[PappyChris]

My (new/old) 79 Holiday Rambler 27 is still sitting on 16.5 bias ply tires (all 6 less than a year old). I intend to budget for 6 radial tires to replace them (better ride and improve fuel economy).
I am looking for a consensus of opinion for my question.
16.5" tires are obsolete and I am trying to figure out if it would be better to replace with 16" wheels or go up to 17" with a lower profile tire?? Curious what others have done and opinions about their decision or what you would have done different and why. Thanks in advance!

[carringb]

16" tires are much cheaper than 17". I have 17". I'm glad I did because by rear axle will top 10,000 pounds, but I pay every other fall when I have to get a new set.

For a coach of that year, even 16" tires will have much more capacity than the axle is rated for, so you won't really be able to take advantage of the higher tire capacity anyways.