Another.15" trailer tire question

[Rory McNeil]

After I had a freeway trailer tire blowout on my 24 foot Wells Cargo trailer last summer, I looked into upgrading to 16" wheels & tires, but like TarHeel said, there is not sufficent clearance for them on my trailer. There looks like enough room between the tires, but not between the top of the tires and top of fenders. So I did a fair bit of research, and installed 4 new 10 PR, LR E Maxxis ST tires, which seemed to have consistently good ratings. So far so good. I just completed a 800 mile (all freeway) trip to Oregon and back with no issues. Not anywhere near as far as many of you guys go, but a decent haul for me. A buddys Pace trailer came with the Maxxis tires, and he replaced them this year, over 10 years of service from them. I hope I am so lucky.

[Jeff Teuton]

We have 16 on our small trailer, and my last trailer came with 15" which we changed to 16. Just get the rims and get the same diameter tire in 16. We have used Firestone Transport E rated for several applications. Alcoa makes a direct bolt on rim for the 8 hole wheels in a 17.5, then you are done for life.

Originally Posted by Jeff Teuton

We have 16 on our small trailer, and my last trailer came with 15" which we changed to 16. Just get the rims and get the same diameter tire in 16. We have used Firestone Transport E rated for several applications. Alcoa makes a direct bolt on rim for the 8 hole wheels in a 17.5, then you are done for life.

I'm not aware of a quality 16" trailer tire comparable to size with a 225/75/15. To my knowledge the next size is 235/80/16 which is almost 2" taller and we simply don't have the room to run that size. Wish I did.

Also, our 5200 lb. axles are 6-lug.

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by Rory McNeil

After I had a freeway trailer tire blowout on my 24 foot Wells Cargo trailer last summer, I looked into upgrading to 16" wheels & tires, but like TarHeel said, there is not sufficent clearance for them on my trailer. There looks like enough room between the tires, but not between the top of the tires and top of fenders. So I did a fair bit of research, and installed 4 new 10 PR, LR E Maxxis ST tires, which seemed to have consistently good ratings. So far so good. I just completed a 800 mile (all freeway) trip to Oregon and back with no issues. Not anywhere near as far as many of you guys go, but a decent haul for me. A buddys Pace trailer came with the Maxxis tires, and he replaced them this year, over 10 years of service from them. I hope I am so lucky.

My experience with the Maxiss is the same as Rory's....you might get lucky with Marathons or a newer Goodyear version but have NEVER had good luck with GY so will never go there again...their customer service is lacking as well. Last week the sidewall blew out of my GY motorhome tire (on the steer axle no less). Took it in for an adjustment (properly inflated and cared for tire with less than 20K miles should NOT puke the sidewall) and they just kind of chuckled at me. Michelins next week, gulp$$$.

[SGSST109E]

I switched to LT tire in 16". The key I believe is to get the tires off the ground during the 6 months your not using it. I put mine on jack stands over the winter. I ordered a set of trailer legs for this winter, should be much easier then the stands.

[GTX JOHN]

Most trailer manufacturers including us do not make fender high enough
for the 235/16s in 80 or 85 unless you special order the trailer fenders that way.

A quality 225/15 radial is a big improvement over bias ply!

[a pontiac]

The new Goodyear endurance is the only trailer tire I know of thats made in the USA.