Trailer Tire Spacing; minimum gap
 

Just traded up to a larger 5th. On my old trailer I ran XPS Ribs without any issues for many miles. The new trailer comes with Towmax tires. I would like to get new XPS Ribs tires for the new trailer but noticed that to meet the trailer load capability @ GVWR I would need to go up in size to the 235/75/R16 or the 245/75/R16. The rims on the new trailer are 16X6, so this knocks out the 245/75/R16 as the recommended rim is 16X7.

So my long winded question is; if I go with the 245/75/R16, the larger diameter tire will cause the gap between the tires on the same side to be 1 inch apart. Will this work? Would the tires ever touch one another?

Do you mean 235/75/R16? I'm guessing you have 235/80R16 on there now and going up to 235/75/R16 will close the gap but will not touch, I have done this on my last two trailers and have a set of XPS's to put on my new trailer when I've scrubbed the originals off. The one draw back with the smaller gap is you can't use a manufactured wheel lock between the two tires. I have also ran 245's and did not like them they scrub way more in tight turns that you'd think the tire was coming off the rim. [laugh]

Old trailer had 225/75/R16. A mistake in my previous post; the 235 in the ribs is a 235/80/R16. The problem with going to the 245's is rim width. Michelin specifications state the 245 is for a 7 inch wide rim. My rims are only 6 inches wide. Center to center axle spacing is 33 inches. The 235's are 32.2 inches in diameter hence there would be a very close gap between the tires.

Yeh I screwed up the tire size as well.[laugh] I have gone from original ST235/80/R16 to XPS rib LT235/85/R16 and these fit. Like I said I would not recommend the 245's.

So you have about one inch between tires without any issues?

I wonder why no one else has commented since trailer tires are such a hot topic, maybe everyone is just tired of the subject!

not tired of the subject, just go about it different. i measure all the distances and pick the largest LT, E rated tire that is a common size. i do not have a problem with 1" spacing

I have gone from stock 14's to 15's on mine and have had no problems with only a half inch clearance between the tires. been running them for a couple years and i put on 15k ayear on the trailer.

Thanks all. I now have choices from Michelin, Bridgestone and BF Goodrich and wouldn't worry about the reduced space between the tires.

michelin and toyo are the best. stay clear of bf goodrich and use LT not ST

My first choice would be the Michelin's ribs as I have had zero issues with my current tires. Second choice might be the Bridgestone's as they are full steel casings like the Michelins. Have had Bridgestone's (different tire) on my Suburban that worked well and lasted a very long time. "Just say not to ST" [laugh]

I have Michelin's on my R/V with just a 1" space between the tires. No issues for 2 years, and 15,000 miles.

Thanks. I picked the trailer up and have done some measuring. Should be ok with 245's. Met a guy at the campground while waiting to p/u the trailer and his spacing must have been 3/8 inch, they looked real close. I asked and he said no problems.I'm telling you, I bet if you put a match between the tires and drove away it would have lit the match. Those tires were scary close.

Before going with the 245's do a little more research. They do fit but because of the wider tire they really hang on and scrub tremendously when maneuvering in tight turns. The 235/80/R16 should be the same diameter as the 245/75/R16 or very close and would fit the rim better.