Wheels and Tires

[JHblack]

I have a 2014 year model 27.5 ULSBS WORK & PLAY that came stock with 15 inch wheels and "E" rated Westlake tires. I asked for and got the E upgrade at time of purchase. I get the feeling that after close to 5000 miles on original tires they are ready to go.

My question is this;
1. Can I upgrade to a 16 inch wheel and go with Michelin RIB and keep same axle?
2. Does Michelin make a RIB in a 15 inch size? I can't find that they do.
3. I know the RIB is a LT tire but have heard may people using with great success. Am I wrong ?
4. What is general opinion on wheels/tires for a TH that does not go off road? I know when I asked for opinions I have just unlocked Pandoras Box. That's ok though. I like to read.

[Bill___Kate]

We have 15" wheels with LR D tires on our trailer, and are also contemplating what to put on next. Theoretically, the LR E tires have enough capacity, but were thinking of going up to LR E Maaxis for a little piece of mind. Another option that looks pretty good to us is the Goodyear Cargo G26 which is a rib style tire made for the Euro-style vans like the Sprinter. It comes in 225/70R15C rated for 2470lb@65psi and is 27.4" dia. (vs. the ST225/75R15 LRD for 2540lbs@65psi, 28.3" dia), but is a heavier tire (33 vs. 30 lbs), and is rated at the higher LT speed ranges. Now if you need the 2830 lb @ 80psi Load Range E tire, the Cargo G26 might not be enough, but if you are under 10,000 lbs on the axles, they may be the way to go ....

[JHblack]

Thanks for the info. I was hoping that my axle had an off set hub and I would just invert the whole axle, giving me plenty of top to bottom clearance but it's a straight hub axle. I'm pretty sure I'll have enough side to side clearance but will have to check top - bottom. Maybe to close. I noticed a "dent"/ "valley" in two of my side walls and I'm afraid that's a sign of future trouble.

[JIMNLIN]

1. As long as the LTs will have a 1" minimum between the tires and 2 3/4"-3" at the top and a half inch clearance on the sides of the tire on a std leaf spring suspension trailer the LT is a great upgrade. The XPS Ribs are a commercial grade all steel ply carcass tire. The Bridgestone R-250 is another commercial grade all steel ply carcass and isn't as pricey as the Michelin. Check them out.

Your 15" ST tires were probably a 225/75-15 E which were 28.2" diameter. The LT245/75-16 E has 3042 lbs capacity and is 30.4" diameter and is a popular size for a 15" ST replacement.
The LT235/85-16 E also has 3042 lbs capacity but is 31.5" diameter. This tire size is the most common 16" size for trailers of all types.

2. The XPS Ribs don't come in 15" sizes. No one uses a wheel that small on a pickup anymore although all of the older half ton pickups used the 15" tires at one time with several sizes and load ranges.

3. LTs (light truck tires) were used many years before the ST tire were made and still the best choice for a heavy trailer like yours with a 11462 lb GVWR.

4. Much depends on your trailers hub size. With a 11462 lb trailer I would bet it came with a 6 lug hub. Lots of 6 lug 16" trailer wheels available in steel or aluminum.

[Me_Again]

The LT225/75R16E is the smallest diameter RIB at 29.4". Measure center to center of your axles. You need at least 1" of clearance between your tires according to Dexter. So C to C should be greater that 30.4" Make sure you have the clearance above the tires.

The Bridgestone Duravis R250 is another steel carcass tire that cost a little less. I have used both on my trailer. Going to 16" rims makes the choice and availability of tires much better.

The R250 is listed at 29.29" diameter.

Chris

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