kkOH
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Re: Any benefit to upsizing my tires/wheels?
So then aside from the casual observations that people seem to make, the one benefit of going up to even a 14" would be less revs/minute = less heat on the bearings/tires = less chance of a meltdown? And again, It's not like I'd be doing this only for the sake of doing it. I have a real need on my utility trailer to get three new tires. That trailer carries much less load anyhow and is mainly used to grab supplies from the hardware store, tow my mower or 4 wheeler, or cart the kids around in the back 40 when we're having a ho-down.1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Any benefit to upsizing my tires/wheels?
They are 185/80R13s (Westlake) For what it's worth here's the wording that is on the tires: MAX LOAD SINGLE 1710 LBS at 65 PSI MAX LOAD DUAL 1620 LBS at 65 PSI What I don't understand is if the single/dual is talking about axles but that seems like the way it would be. So if they're rated at 1710 per tire since it's single axle that would rate it to 3420, would it not? (An example replacement that came up on etrailer from a google search shows a Kenda tire that is also rated for D which lists 1725 LBS at 65 PSI: http://www.etrailer.com/Tires-and-Wheels/Kenda/AM1ST79.html)1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Any benefit to upsizing my tires/wheels?
I appreciate all of the comments thus far. As stated earlier, my options are to stick with 13s, or bump up to 14s. The wheel well will not accommodate a 15" tire without modification of the springs/axle which I wont due since it will void my warranty. We had our first short trip this past weekend and all was good as far as the tow goes. Next month we're taking a longer haul (3-4 hour drive 85-90% highway driving). It's trip like that I'm more worried about. If bumping from 13 to 14 doesn't gain me much in terms of safety (bearing heat, etc.) then I won't upsize. I'm working on a single axle and relatively light trailer. If the debate about tire brands is less valid than many seem to think then I'm fine sticking with the stock tires. If there are actual numbers behind the "feelings" that people seem to have then I'd still consider swapping these out for something with a more solid track record and using the stock tires/wheels on my utility trailer.1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Any benefit to upsizing my tires/wheels?
So failures aside... can you say whether or not a larger tire size gives any specific benefit? I've read plenty of debate about brands and see the bias against these and for those and I'm trying not to bring that into this topic. Simply wondering if there's any science or data to suggest that there is a benefit as you go up in tire size. I'm guessing you're leaning towards no. Edit: And to clarify... I guess the benefits I'd be most interested in are: 1. Safety 2. Handling 3. Fuel Economy1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Drilling holes in TT wall
kkOH wrote: I know there's just too much inconsistency in the manufacturing process but man wouldn't it be nice if part of your packet when you bought a camper new was either a diagram with measurements of where "good" mount points were, or even easier for the manufacturer, photographs of the build process so you had frames or reference for where to avoid? As a way of talking to myself this self quote will do :) Anyhow, I just got off the phone with a sales manager at Forest River (actually located at the facility where they build the viking/cliper line) and told him how useful this would be and he took down my email address and told me that when they run my model through the line next time he's going to snap pictures and email them to me. Assuming he follow through - NICE! Guess it never hurts to talk to the manufacturer!445Views0likes0CommentsRe: Drilling holes in TT wall
I know there's just too much inconsistency in the manufacturing process but man wouldn't it be nice if part of your packet when you bought a camper new was either a diagram with measurements of where "good" mount points were, or even easier for the manufacturer, photographs of the build process so you had frames or reference for where to avoid?445Views0likes0CommentsRe: Any benefit to upsizing my tires/wheels?
Campfire Time wrote: I'm not clear on something, what problem are you trying to solve? It's a myth that 13" tires are bad or prone to failure. Myself having owned a similar sized single axle trailer with 13" tires for 10 years, I think you would be better off simply getting new 13" tires with a higher load range, but I think they are hard to find. I towed our little trailer out west on a 6k mile trip and another that was 3k miles. I ran the original set of 13" ST tires for 6 years and put at least 15k miles on them. I replaced them with the same size and load range. I never once had a problem. Keep in mind to that increasing the tire size and load range will not increase your CC. You axle is the limitation. I'm not trying to solve a problem at all Chuck. That's why I'm posting. I am just trying to find out if there is an advantage to up-sizing. I'm perfectly fine sticking with 13's if there's not a compelling reason to go larger - that's why I was asking the community. The current tires are Westlake ST185/80R13's with 8 Ply/Load D. I've read that the quality of the tire that manufacturers pop on new units isn't necessarily the greatest and looked at my needs on the utility trailer and thought it was an opportunity to upgrade both.1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Any benefit to upsizing my tires/wheels?
the bear II wrote: If you do decide to change, if possible go to 15 inch. A friend had a really difficult time trying to find reasonably priced 14 inch tires recently. You have a lot more choices with 15 inch, but watch out for clearance issues especially above the tire contacting with the floor of the TT.. Just got off of the phone with a Forest River service rep who says that 15" tires would be to large for the well and that at most I might be able to bump up to 14's.352Views0likes0CommentsAny benefit to upsizing my tires/wheels?
I know that there is always a tire debate happening so maybe this will lighten the mood :) I bought a new TT... small fella at 17 ft (21 ft with the tongue). For reference it's a clipper/viking 17BH which is a bit over 2800 dry and over 3600 GVWR. It came with some 13" tires and wheels. Well on a sort of related note I have a little utility trailer that I've always had fat little 8" tires on and I've recently started using it more and over longer distances than to my moms to mow her lawn and with larger loads. I had already decided to start looking into larger/better tires for it when the TT purchase idea happened. I am now considering buying three new tires/wheels for the TT and taking the three that came with it and popping them on the utility trailer. A simple move of the wheel wells on the little trailer will suffice and the wheels are the same 5x4.5 pattern. My real question is, since I'm going down this path would there be a safety or other decent reason to move up in tire size on the TT assuming the wheel well and springs are able to handle it... even if only to 14's or 15's? I know I'll have a slightly larger step up (roughly 3/4" per inch of tire maybe) and that's no big deal. Thanks for any pointers. -kkOH4.1KViews0likes16Comments
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