These are some of the experiences I've had pulling a 11k boat and trailer during the summer months in the Texas heat. Also I will give you my opinion about some of the tires and wheel combinations I have either tried or researched and not tried. IMO if you can afford it the best thing you should do is change your wheels and tires to 16". Your choices as far as tires go is much greater as to the different load ranges and different styles LT vs ST. If you have to stay with your current 15" I would recommend that you use at least a "E" rated tire. I have had problems with both GY Marathons and with Carlisle tires. I've just had more trouble with Carlisle so I would not recommend them. Also GY has a better warranty both on their tires and on any damage that might occur to your trailer caused by the tire if it seperates. I know people will say they are made in China but your pretty limited when you have 15" tires and your looking to replace one on the road and you have a non-brand name tire. Maxxis also makes a good 15" load range "E" tires that you should be able to get a Discount Tire.
Trailer tires should be replace every 3 years no matter what mileage you have on them. They may last longer but your taking a chance. You shouldn't drive more than 65mph unless you inflate them to 80#. I also use a hand held laser thermometer to check the tire temp every time I stop for gas or to p**. The air pressure needs to be checked everytime you use the trailer. These are just some of my ideas and experiences--I hope they help. Also carry 2 spares and a good jack--The rule of thumb is not if you will ever have a flat--it's when you will have one.
Jay

 

So, these 80 psi rated 15" wheels won't handle those tires??

http://www.trailertiresandwheels.com...78/page/910763

 

Well I measured the distance from the top of my current tires to the fender, and it's about 3.5''-4'' clearance. That seems a little close to me to upgrade taller. Does that allow for enough room to go to a 16'' wheel/tire combo?

If not, I guess I will stick with my current 225/75r15 size and go up to E load range.

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Check the date codes on the new tires before accepting them. They could be as old or older than the ones you're taking off. Date codes are molded in "WWMM" for manufacture week (WW) and year (YY) respectively.

 

Well I have done a little more research. I still haven't bought tires yet.

I had just about decided to buy another wheel (to replace spare) and 5 ST 225/75/R15 Maxxis load range E, 10 ply, 2830lb rating tires. Discount tire offered to sell them to me for $112 each. They are 28.2'' in diameter. Same as my current old ones.

But after doing some further checking on the 16'' inch size, the guy suggested I look at these...BFG Commercial tires LT tires. http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/cutaw...season/45.html and offered them to me for $140 each x 5 = $700.00

I looked at these side by side......with a china made Carlisle E rated trailer tires. The LT's are so much heavier and stiffer than the trailer tires it was ridiculous. They have them in stock........LT225/75/R16. They are exactly 1'' taller than my stockers which would put them 1/2'' taller in my wheel well. It may be a little tight, but I think they will fit. They are 10 ply, E rated, 2680lb rated tires, but appear to be much heavier and stiffer than their ratings.

If I go with these, I will need some 16'' rims. So they suggested these. Black or Chrome Unique 297-7760 wheels. http://www.uniquewheel.com/catalog_pg2.html These wheels are 3000lb rated wheels. $55 a piece x 5 =$275.00

Im ready to pull the trigger and put this issue to rest. Any MORE thoughts on going this route. I'd prob be out around $1100, buying 5 wheels/tires out the door. But my inclination is it would offer great peace of mind. Thoughts?

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Did you ever check with these guys? http://www.trailertiresandwheels.com/
Even with shipping my tires cost less than buying them in TX.

 

No I didn't. I appreciate the link. But just now when I look on their website.....it usually doesn't even offer me the brand name of the tire. What's up with that? For example...

http://www.trailertiresandwheels.com...78/page/549657

Then I click on LT225/75r16 and get this... http://www.trailertiresandwheels.com.../product/R1603

That sounds like it might be "equivalent" to the BFG I listed above. And it's the same price. I don't see any reason to order and pay shipping and not really know what im getting.

Same thing with Southwest Wheel when I go to their website. Am I missing something? OR do they just want me to call them? I guess im a little biased toward Discount Tire just because I have had such good luck with them with my truck tires.

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My bad. I thought they carried all brands. They beat Discount by over $100 a tire for my Goodyear load range G tires. (The only G rated I know of made in the U.S.) Discount said they would match the price, but shipping was less than the sales tax, plus they wanted $40 each for mounting and balancing. I'm surprised Goodyear doesn't have a tire in your size. I've owned BFG T/As in the past, but not the commercial version. Good tires. Definitely a step up from the crap WW put on their trailers.

 

Yeah I know they have to be good tires. AND, they are made in the USA. I sat there in Discount tire and touched, looked at, read the sidewall of the tire. It said "Made in the USA" on it. They just look and feel like top quality "E" rated tires.....even though they are only rated 2680lbs.

The Carlisles, I felt side by side.......seemed very wimpy in comparison, even though they were 15'' E tires with a 2830lb rating.

So im torn whether to go with the Maxxis or Carlisles for half the price. Or step up to the plate for the 16'' BFG Commercial tires and 16'' rims. Decisions, Decisions.

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Have you ever weighed your trailer while loaded with all your stuff? Do you think you would exceed 10,720 pounds on the axles? With a 10% tongue wt that would put total trailer wt at nearly 12,000. To follow thru, 1200 pounds with a W/D hitch might exceed the rating of your receiver. It would definitely exceed the rating without W/D. I'm thinking the stuff you haul would be much less than that and I personnally would go 16 inch.

 

Yes I have weighed it loaded up one time, in 2007 at some CAT scales. With 2 ATVs, Generator, 120 gallons of fresh water, 28 gallons of gasoline in the fueling station, all our gear, groceries, me, my son.......


it weighed......Steer axle 4700lbs, Drive Axle 5340lbs, Trailer Axles 9440lbs. for a total of 19480lbs GCVW.

But I routinely carry 3 ATVs, sometimes 4 (instead of 2) at times......so you can add another 500-1000lbs to that total. And my truck weighs a little more now with some extra tools and stuff I added. So I know im over 20K at times.

I have a Putnam Class V receiver hitch and use weight distribution bars.


So you can see my concern. I feel that the ST Trailer tires are barely enough. I feel like they are "squirmy" and could use an upgrade.

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I would definitly go the 16" route, I have a 08 Fuzion 3612 triple axle toyhauler that came with 16" tires and wheels, the 07 model came with 15" setup. My brother has an 06 WW BP and we swiched out to the 16" because of blow outs. When going to the 16" setup trailer tires are only rated to 65 mph where you can get 10 ply truck tires that are rated to 106mph. I have LT235/85r16 Goodyear Wrangler HT witch have a load index and speed rating of 120R, not that you will towing at 106 mph but you can a least do the speed limit without worrying. I do work for Discount Tire and know any of our stores can help you witch ever way you choose.

 

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/cutaw...season/45.html

http://www.uniquewheel.com/catalog_pg2.html


Well I went ahead and ordered these for install next Sat. Hope they work out. Thanks for everybody's advice/help. My gut just told me to go with these LT 16'' tires. Peace of mind is worth alot.

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Well I got my tires and wheels. They just weren't the ones I was "going" to get because of fitment issues. The "Unique" brand wheels could only come in a 7'' rim........and those turned out to be to wide to fit on my trailer. They only left maybe an 1/8th of inch between the tire and trailer frame on one of my wheels.


So, out with the "Unique" and in with a 16'' by 6'' Silver Modular wheel (don't know the brand) sold by Southwest Wheel co. to Discount tire. Then we switched to the 215/85/16 size BFG Commercial LT tires. They fit great! They are rated the same as the 225/75/16s I was going to buy at 2680lbs, E rated. I only drove about a mile home from Discount Tire but I think they are going to work out fine. I'll try to post a pic later today.

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Well here a few snapshots of the new tires/wheels. I can't wait to try them out on a trip. I got 5 new wheels and 5 new tires mounted/balanced for about $1000. More than I obviously wanted to originally spend, but I feel like I won't have any tire issues now. These BFG Commercial LTs are made right here in the USA!! No more chinese junk tires for me.









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