TT Tire advice - going from 14" to 15" - or??

[CHD_Dad]

Background - 32' TT (In sig line) / 6700# fully loaded as per CAT / Tandem axle towards middle of TT / 14" alloy rims.

So several years ago I had a blow out with a no-name OEM TT tire. Changing that on the side of the road with 80mph traffic going by while it was 95+ degrees sucked to say the least.

Bought new camper in 2012. Drove on OEM tires two trips and then swapped them out for current tires - Maxxis M8008 Load Range C in the OEM 205/75-14 size. They are about 2-1/2 years old now.

Trip home two weeks ago and - blowout! Now since the first blowout I have been anal about my tires. They are covered when not being used. I check tire pressure before all trips. I keep my speed at 65mph 90% of the time (may briefly increase to pass somebody). I check them for tread wear, sidewall wear, etc. No clue why it blew out but it did and not in a nice way. I have very minor damage to the wheel well of my TT but it is damage. I cant remember ever curbing it or hitting anything with it. Other tires all look great. The tire that blew look great with deep tread, no cracks, no bulges, nothing.

So now what do I do? Serious question! The only D range 14" tire I can find are Kumhos and I am fine with trying them out. I think Goodyear still makes a bia sply D as well for U Haul trailer use. I looked into them before but was worried about going bias ply.

Other option I have is going to a 15" rim but what exactly will that help? What am I missing to make my tires last longer? This is getting to be a pain and expensive if I need to replace tires every 2 years!! I've got wife, 3 kids and 2 dogs I am hauling around so safety is #1.

As for clearance I dont have much. It is a low trailer with closely spaced axles.
Stock - 205/75-14 C
In between tires - 5 inches
From top of tire to bottom of TT - 3.5"

I think I "may" get away with a 15" tire but it could be tight since they dont make a lower profile 15" that I am aware of that has the load carrying capacity needed to keep the OD the same.

Right now I have only 300# of extra carrying capacity total or a measly 75# per tire. I was thinking going to a D may help things run cooler and safer.

Advice? We have a big trip through the NC mountains in a couple months and the last thing I want to worry about is tires!

[gmw_photos]

CHD Dad wrote:
Don, I have the option of going with the Kumho D tires which will also up my capacity but back when I bought my Maxxis I didn't have that option. They're still the only D 14" I can find.

Raising trailer does nothing to help the tire to tire spacing that is controlled by axle location. It would help with wheel well spacing. I wasn't sure what the min clearance was. I also didn't know if going to a 15 gained any other advantages vs just getting the Kumho D tires.

Another 14" load range D, LT tire is the Hankook RA08, although I feel the availability of the Kumho 857 is better.
If you could use the 15" good year Cargo G26, then it's load capacity is greater than the Kumho simply because it's a bigger tire. Look on tire rack for it's specs.

[Need-A-Vacation]

Talk to your tire dealer and see if they have a set of 15" wheel/ tire combo mounted already that you could have mounted to check for clearance. Or if they will work with you. They may be able to determine if 15" tires will work by looking at your trailer with the 14" tires on it.

Regardless what tire you go with, if you step up to a LR D make sure the rim is rated for the tire pressure.

[CHD_Dad]

Don, I have the option of going with the Kumho D tires which will also up my capacity but back when I bought my Maxxis I didn't have that option. They're still the only D 14" I can find.

Raising trailer does nothing to help the tire to tire spacing that is controlled by axle location. It would help with wheel well spacing. I wasn't sure what the min clearance was. I also didn't know if going to a 15 gained any other advantages vs just getting the Kumho D tires.

[gmw_photos]

if you have room for a good year cargo G26 in 15", that would be good. If you need to stay 14", then a Kumho 857 would give you a 25% reserve load capacity, assuming equal load on all four tires ( which is likely a faulty assumption). Having a wheel by wheel actual pound loading would be good and a worthwhile exercise.

[donn0128]

It is by your own admission that your very close to overloaded on the OEM size tires I think your best option is a, raise the trailer and b, change to 15 inch wheels and tires.