Endurance Tires
New camper has Westlake ST205/75R15 tires on it. Going to replace them with Endurance. While checking prices I came across ST225/75R15 Endurance for $15.00 each more tire. Would you use 225 vs. 205? ...
Forum Discussion
I changed from 205/75R15 LRC to Endurance 225/75R15 LRE. I only run at 65 psi as that is plenty of extra load capacity for me. I figure my trailer is about 8,000 lbs loaded. I find 30% extra tire capacity is nice to have for multiple reasons. 1. You never know if you are loaded evenly side to side. One side might have more weight on it than the other and be closer to the load limit of the tire than if you assume all are seeing an equal load. 2. Excess load rating gives you more buffer for a tire like the Endurance that is higher speed rated, but not for its full load. ST225/75R15 117/112N E is the rating for the Endurance. Notice it is 117 load rated (2,833 lbs) but only the 112 (2,469 lbs) is rated for N speed (87 mph). I assume the full 117 load rating is only good for 65 mph.
It is true you need the room for the larger tire. Mine was rubbing on the bottom of my trailer with the original 205/75R15 tires. I swapped out my 3500 lb axles and springs for 5200 lb axles and springs and that brought it up some due to less sag in the springs. I also replaced my triangular equalizer between my spring packs with a much taller one which gave me some lift. I no longer see any rubbing, even with the new larger tires. In my case I had to upgrade my rims from 5 bolt to 6 bolt. I think the original rims might not have accommodated the 225 size tires due to being too narrow. You do need to check that also.
If you want to go to the potential work of upgrading size, that is up to you and how much you travel. We often take trips of 3-6,000 miles and usually travel 70 mph. I upgraded my trailer at the beginning of the 2018 season and now after almost 4 seasons of use I have still very happy with the changes. If I only traveled locally, I'd have been fine sticking with the smaller size.
It is true you need the room for the larger tire. Mine was rubbing on the bottom of my trailer with the original 205/75R15 tires. I swapped out my 3500 lb axles and springs for 5200 lb axles and springs and that brought it up some due to less sag in the springs. I also replaced my triangular equalizer between my spring packs with a much taller one which gave me some lift. I no longer see any rubbing, even with the new larger tires. In my case I had to upgrade my rims from 5 bolt to 6 bolt. I think the original rims might not have accommodated the 225 size tires due to being too narrow. You do need to check that also.
If you want to go to the potential work of upgrading size, that is up to you and how much you travel. We often take trips of 3-6,000 miles and usually travel 70 mph. I upgraded my trailer at the beginning of the 2018 season and now after almost 4 seasons of use I have still very happy with the changes. If I only traveled locally, I'd have been fine sticking with the smaller size.
