best tire ?

captbobster said:

Has anyone upgraded to the 225s instead of the 205s with new wider wheels? Was thinking of doing this just to have a little more tire capacity so they're not running at the limit.

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I also was wondering if the 225s will fit on my 2005 1707 Hi Lo since it is a single axle ?

1sportster said:

I also was wondering if the 225s will fit on my 2005 1707 Hi Lo since it is a single axle ?

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You have almost the same trailer as me. Mine's a 2007 version. 225s would NOT fit on my trailer in its "stock" condition. The clearance between the tire and the step frame on the curb side was too tight. I think the top clearance in the wheel well was too tight too. 225s have, if memory serves, about a 2" larger diameter and are about 1" wider. The width is not a problem, but the larger diameter is. The 225s also take wheels that are 6" wide as opposed to the narrower stock wheels.

I had my axle moved forward three inches, because the tongue weight was more than 600# and the clearance between the tire and the step frame was only about 1/2". At the same time, I had a 1-1/2" spacer put in between the axle and the frame it mounts to. This gave me much more clearance all around in the wheel wells and allowed me the room to mount the larger tires (and wheels). Overall, the trailer now rides about 2-1/2" higher, getting the water tanks away from the road surface. And, with the axle forward, the tongue weight is between 10-14% of the trailer weight (depending on trailer loading).

The only potential problem was that the tire could come in contact with the cable bolts on the left side. They were cut shorter to provide clearance. This would only be a new problem if I needed to lengthen the cables, which I cannot see having to do.

Moving the axle cost me $400 at a local welding shop that I trusted - they do work on County fire department vehicles that are driven off road in the Tucson area.

Your OEM axle/tire combination in your trailer are rated at 3500#, less than the 3800# max gross weight. I personally feel this is an unsafe design. With my new D-rated 225s, I've gained a significant margin of safety in the tires and have had no problems whatsoever.

Hear's a link to the "saga" of my axle reconfiguring: http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f26/my-trailer-overloaded-412/

- Jack

If you do have to stay with the 205 size tire make sure you go with the "D" load rated tire or "E" rated tire if you can find it.

Jim, I was able to find Load rated D tires in the 205 size (Maxxis brand), but I've never seen Load E in that size. Have you? In fact, I don't think I've found Load E tires in my 225 size tires either.

Tires are one component on the vehicle or trailer that I don't mind spending extra for if they are safer. I think the minor increase in cost is negligible, when you consider the potential alternative.

- Jack

I know that I'm resurrecting an old thread, and hope for some response. The P.O. told me that the tires where 3-4 years old. Sure enough I checked the date and they are 4 yrs old (made in China). We are planning two trip this summer/fall, and each are going to be 4K miles (plus). So we feel that new tires are a very good idea. I have read every post on this thread, and shopped on-line. The problem is that the websites do not disclose where the tires are made. Many on this thread highly discourage China tires, and I concur. So does anyone know if Trailer King tires made in China?

I'm not promoting any particular tire company, but after researching at length, I found that Maxxis 8008 tires were the best for my use. I went to load range "D", aired to 65 psi, which allows for higher sppeds and longer wear (I hope). Not made in China, but Thailand. Can't find a U.S. to suit my needs.
Tree

Goodyear Endurance tires are new and made in USA. Unfortunately I do not have those but I did go to Load Range D. They are the same size as C's.

Link to Goodyear:Goodyear RV Tires ? Tire Selector

Treeclimber said:

I'm not promoting any particular tire company, but after researching at length, I found that Maxxis 8008 tires were the best for my use. I went to load range "D", aired to 65 psi, which allows for higher sppeds and longer wear (I hope). Not made in China, but Thailand. Can't find a U.S. to suit my needs.
Tree

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On my Hi-Lo the maximum pressure stamped on the rims for the rims is 50psi. Treeclimber are your rims rated different?

garyk52 said:

On my Hi-Lo the maximum pressure stamped on the rims for the rims is 50psi. Treeclimber are your rims rated different?

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I'm not Tree, of course, but my original rims (before I upgraded to larger rims and tires) were also limited to 50 PSI. When I mounted Load Range D tires on them (in the OEM size) I inflated the tires to 65 PSI. I ran them that way for one season before replacing both the rims and the tires. I had no problems.

I did this based on "opinions" I saw online regarding this practice. It wasn't a scientific decision, but I kind of reasoned the metal was strong enough to withstand an extra 15 PSI. As I recall, I could not find ANY rims rated to 65 PSI that would mount the 205/75R15 OEM tire size.

- Jack

I been using wheel barrow tires. lmao. no I got 205/r/14's on mine any lower, my leaf spring brackets, hit the paydirt.

Garyk52, as Jack said, I also could find NO rims that said 65 psi. After talking to a couple of tire guys, a 15 psi difference is negligible. After a season or more and tire checking before each trip, I have had zero problems. My rims are just ugly.
Tree