Tire/wheel upgrade?

[Eyetattoo]

Just purchased my parents TT off them and noticed the tires are in need of replacement. The current set up is ST225/75R15 with a max load of 2540lbs. The trailer has a GVWR of 11,000lbs.

Should I stick with the 15s and ST tires or should I upgrade to 17s and a LT tire? If I go to the 17s what size tire should I go with to keep the same diameter? Thanks!

[Eyetattoo]

smkettner wrote:
5 years without trouble? I might run those another season or two.
Take a short trip or two. No need to panic and buy tires. Take your time to get this the way you want.

I would but after checking them out, the sidewalls are checkered out pretty bad/deep. I will be taking it easy just making the 30 mile trip to bring it to the tire shop, so the 300+ mile trip we have the the MotoGP races in July is out of the question.

[time2roll]

5 years without trouble? I might run those another season or two.
Take a short trip or two. No need to panic and buy tires. Take your time to get this the way you want.

[SprinklerMan]

Eyetattoo wrote:
Im thinking the long term fix might be to go to a LT225/75R16 or a LT245/75R16 with a E load rating? It looks like I would only loose about 1/2 to 1 inch of clearance seeing as the diameter is about 1 inch larger on the 225/75 and about 2 inches larger on the 245/75.

Thats what I did , havent regretted it , I bought new steel 6 lug rims locally for 50 bucks each ( rated 80 lbs ) and installed the metal valve stems and balanced them for what its worth

[Eyetattoo]

Yeah my dad has never had a problem with tires and he has Carsiles on it now that are 5 years old or so. But I still do worry because of all the stories of major blowouts.

I will have to go double check the rims to see if they are rated to 80psi, that may answer my question right away.

[Peg_Leg]

You have a big advantage in that you can get honest info from your parents on the tire wear and any past problems. I wouldn't go to the extra expense of getting new wheels if there was no past history of trouble. Maybe a bit more capacity in a 15" tire that fits the present wheel.

[time2roll]

I would put tires on with a load rating to carry the entire GVWR. Tongue weight is your safety margin.

[Eyetattoo]

Or even a 215/75R16 E rated at 2,755lbs a tire??

[Eyetattoo]

Im thinking the long term fix might be to go to a LT225/75R16 or a LT245/75R16 with a E load rating? It looks like I would only loose about 1/2 to 1 inch of clearance seeing as the diameter is about 1 inch larger on the 225/75 and about 2 inches larger on the 245/75.

[goducks10]

What does the TT weigh loaded. My last TT had an 8400 GVW and weighed 6200lbs. New 5'er has an 11,000 GVW and weighs 6500lbs. You don't add the tongue or pin weight to the loaded weight as those are resting on the truck/SUV.
Nothing wrong with up grading to E rated Maxxis in a 15". They have a CC of 2830lbs @80 psi. If your rims can handle the psi it would be cheaper. Most very 15" 6 lug aluminum wheel that is put on TT's of recent years is rated for 2830lbs. Check here and see if you can find your rim.
http://www.tredittire.com/Aluminum-Wheels-C10.aspx
If your wanting to get into an LT tire then yes upgrading to a 16" would do the trick. IMO 17.5 is way overkill. And do you have the room between or above for the tires?

[Dick_B]

I upgraded to 16" and put on Michelin XPS Ribs. Good move.

[Lowsuv]

16 inch tires offer the most options for LT tires
LT 265/75R16E are rated for 3415 pounds
LT 245/75R16E are rated for 3042 #
LT 235/85R16E are rated for 3042#
there are 100's of tires available in each of those sizes
the best bet is to find a 16 inch steel wheel that will fit your trailer.
the least expensive method of doing this is to replace the brake drum assembly with a 6 bolt pattern drum to attach a steel wheel.
tire diameters and widths are listed on the tire rack website .
a tape rule will help you decide if you have adequate clearance without raising your trailer.
the 245/75R16E is most likely to work within your wheel well .