Hello All,

I have a 2004 29BH. I currently have 225x75x15s on the trailer. I would like to but larger tires on my trailer. I was thinking about going to 235x85x16. This is the size my dad has on his Montana. In measuring I see his axel centers is 35 inches and mine is 33 inches apart. I currently have about 5 1/2 inches clearance between the 2 tires. If I go to 235s that is almost 2 inches taller tire.

Now to the question,

What is a good clearance between the 2 tires? What is the minimum spacing "YOU" would run between the tires?

 

If you still have 1.5" to 2" between the tires, you should be fine. On our previous 5th wheel which came with LT235/85R-16E, I could barely fit my open hand between the tires.

Rusty

 

As soon as I get the trailer where I want it (Legos under tires to level it), I stick that sissor jack brake thingy between the tires & crank it out so the trailer can't move when I unhitch it from the pickup. If the tires are too close, I don't think I could fit it in there.

 

Yep, I couldn't use an expandable chock on my previous 5th wheel because of the stock tire spacing issue. The conventional chocks worked just fine. There are different models of expandable chocks for different tire spacing ranges, however.

Rusty

 

I'm planning on doing the same thing, and will have the same spacing as you described. I really don't see any reason why there would be a problem except for using the expandable chocks which I don't have anyway.
I'm going to use the four best of the six tires on my truck right now (Michelin LTX M/S 235/85-16E). Now I just gotta get new tires for the truck, and 16" rims for the trailer.

 

Ok, thanks guys for your replys. Going on the last post. What is the differnce between auto tires and Trailer tires? Is it a DOT thing? Cuz it seems you get more life out of auto tires then trailer tires.

 

My 2 cents' worth would be to go with a 16" tire specifically recommended by the manufacturer for trailer service - please note that this does not necessarily mean an ST-designated tire!

For example, two of the best 16" trailer tires are the E-rated Michelin XPS Rib and the G-rated Goodyear Unisteel G614 RST. Both of these tires are available in LT235/85R-16 sizes (in fact, that's the only size for the G614), are all-steel radial construction and are specifically recommended by their manufacturers for trailer service.

My previous 5th wheel came with fabric-and-steel construction E-rated LT235/85R-16 Goodyear Wrangler HT tires. These are substantially less expensive than either of the tires above, but (like most of the fabric-and-steel radials) were susceptable to tread separation and/or blowouts. I swapped over to the all-steel E-rated Michelin XPS Ribs and never had any problems whatsoever. My current 5th wheel came with the all-steel G-rated Goodyear Unisteel G614 RSTs, and they've been trouble-free as well.

Rusty

 

On my travel trailer I had the heavier GVW along with the larger tires installed as options. I tried the lock clamps between the tires but there was no room. I finally found this company and ordered the smallest spacing set and they work great. http://www.rotochok.com . I have about 1 1/2 inches clearance between the tires from the Newmar factory on my trailer.
Jack

 

we are a trailer mfg co and on our flatbeds,lowboys and dump trailers we use 23585R16 10ply E rated tires unless it is a trailer with 12000# axles then we use G rated tires but still 23585R16 that is dual tandem and tandem single hope this helps Kevin