14" wheel question

acadianbob · 02-28-2011, 08:42 PM

I've been looking at some D rated tires to replace my 205/75/14 Marathon C Rated tires. I've found some that I like. BUT, my white spoke rims are rated 1870 pounds and 50 PSI. The D rated tires are 2095 pounds and 65 PSI. In searching around, I have yet to find a 14" rim of ANY kind that is rated for more than 1900 pounds or 50 PSI. I'm guessing that the 1870 pound limit is a structural limit for a typical 5 on 4 1/2 rim. (Even the aluminum rims). Makes you wonder if you are wasting your money getting a D rated 14" tire since the rim can't take what the tire can take. Has anyone come across a 14" rim with higher capacity?

rthrbelsewhere · 02-28-2011, 10:38 PM

I think to get over a 1900 lb rating on your wheels, you'll have to go to a 15" or 16". Here's a spec sheet on the HWT's - https://www.circletracksupply.com/pr...2&cat=0&page=1 (for reference only). I purchased a set of 4 of these from a local trailer manufacturer in town and I paired them with the Kumho Radial 857's D-rated tires Kumho Radial 857 (for reference only) and so far so good. One thing that I learned about D and E rated tires is that the valve stem is everything, so I purchased the high pressure valve stems with the internal metal sleeve that goes all the way up the stem from a local firestone dealer. This combination has held 62psi without any problems and I've towed the trailer a good 3000 miles since I purchased these on 4/13-ish/2009. Here's a pic of them on the trailer:

I couldn't see spending the money on one as a spare tire, so I went cheap and bought the white wagon wheel for that.

Note: I know that we're talking apples to oranges when it comes to weight difference between our trailers, so just because these worked for me doesn't mean that they will work for you. I just wanted to add my experience with 62psi, 14" aluminum rims, and D-rated tires. That's all, over n out.

Joe

acadianbob · 02-28-2011, 11:01 PM

That's exactly the tire I've been looking at! Nice pics and nice wheels!! Thanks for the info!!

rthrbelsewhere · 02-28-2011, 11:03 PM

You're welcome.

I have no complaints with these tires at all. Best upgrade I've made to my Roo, hands down. : )

rthrbelsewhere · 02-28-2011, 11:18 PM

I just read on the HiSpec Tire & Wheels website (http://www.hispecwheel.com/index.html?page=products):

Load Rating. Towables demand a higher GVW than normal automotive. We have intentionally designed our wheels to comply with the standard axle loadings.

Interesting, so now that might explain why we can't find a 14" wheel that holds over 1900 lbs.

acadianbob · 02-28-2011, 11:27 PM

With your diesel and all, you can probably tow @ 75 mph!! Nice to have the speed rating to allow that.

acadianbob · 02-28-2011, 11:42 PM

What did you do for lug nuts?

rthrbelsewhere · 02-28-2011, 11:47 PM

I'm sure that's possible, but not something that i would want to do. Just the thought of something going wrong at that speed...ugh, that could be really ugly.

Quick story, I was driving South on I-25 to a family reunion in New Mexico last year and just south of Pueblo, people have a tenancy to "open er up". Well, apparently someone tried doing that with what looked like a 28 or 30 foot travel trailer on a pickup and a boat that was hitched to the back of the trailer. Well...let's just say all that survived was the pickup and 6 people inside of it. I don't know exactly what happened, but the trailer frame was completely separated from the trailer and the trailer itself looked like a pile of scrap wood standing on end with the boat going through it. I'm glad that no one got hurt but the looks on the faces of the people that it happened to tells the story that nobody wants to experience.

Oh, as for lug nuts, I used the ones I had on the 13" wheels and they worked just fine. I think that I will have to change out the lugs to some longer ones if I decide to put the longer lug nuts on.

acadianbob · 02-28-2011, 11:57 PM

Yes, there is some crazy fast towing out there. I had a GM diesel pass me pulling a 5th wheel, behind the 5th wheel was a large power boat. I sped up to see how fast he was going . . . . 85 mph!!

We tow about 60 mph. We constantly get blown away by travel trailers. Usually a diesel / 5th wheel combo. Often "out West".

rthrbelsewhere · 03-01-2011, 09:22 AM

Yup, sometimes it gets a little irritating even trying to just drive to work with people that always "have to be first". The have to jet off of the light to merge in front of you or they have to cut you off because they didn't plan way ahead of time to make that right hand turn to their destination. Argh! Don't get me started

Joe

hunt4240dw · 03-01-2011, 09:58 AM

I have purchased Kumho 857 for my 14" rims also. I have not pulled any where yet but spring break is coming. One Carsile had lost its shape.

The main think for me was the speed rating. I can tow easier and get better mpg if I can tow at 65. With Carsile, the speed rating was only 60. And the trailer just did not handle right going over 60.

David

acadianbob · 03-01-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunt4240dw

I have purchased Kumho 857 for my 14" rims also. The main thing for me was the speed rating.

Yes, I agree that the speed rating is an advantage. Not that I'm going to tow over 65 mph but sometimes on those big downhills "out West" the momentum can carry you above 65. Then I don't have to worry about it other than the obvious safety considerations. Plus you are getting an even larger "cushion" on load capacity.

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