Light Truck Tires on R-Pod

[KenSchmitz]

Has anyone replaced the trailer tires with light truck tires? I just watched a YouTube video suggesting this option and stating that Airstream and some other high end trailer manufacturers are providing this as an option on their new trailers.

[NMWildcat]

Lots of threads on this. Yes, you can run LT tires on a trailer. A lot of folks do, and some new rigs come with them. Just make sure the LT has same or better load rating.

[itat]

Originally Posted by KenSchmitz

Has anyone replaced the trailer tires with light truck tires? I just watched a YouTube video suggesting this option and stating that Airstream and some other high end trailer manufacturers are providing this as an option on their new trailers.

The video you just watched was probably by Long Long Honeymoon. He had Goodyear Marathon tires on his Airstream. The Marathons have a poor reputation and at the time he switched to LT tires there weren't a lot of options for good ST tires. That has changed and there are at least 3 models in your size with a good reputation on the market now: Maxxis M8008, Goodyear Endurance and Carlisle Radial Trail HD.

NMWildcat is correct about using LT tires. Can you get LT tires in your size?

Whatever you use, make sure you use tires with a load rating that gives you at least a 20% safety margin. If your R-Pod came with load range C tires, consider going to load range D.

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by KenSchmitz

Has anyone replaced the trailer tires with light truck tires? I just watched a YouTube video suggesting this option and stating that Airstream and some other high end trailer manufacturers are providing this as an option on their new trailers.

You'll not be able to match the load capacity of your Original Equipment tires with any 15" LT tires. Therefore, the only LT options would be 16", requiring new wheels. They may not fit into your wheelwell.

Because of the newness of your trailer it came equipped with tires providing well over the RVIA Recommended reserve load capacity. If they are LRC you have the option to increase the load capacity substantially with LRD, LRE or LRF, all in the same designated size ST225/75R15. There are a lot of brand names to select from, China or USA.

[goduc]

Your biggest issue will be the wheel's rim width. Most LT/Passenger tires need at least a 6" rim width for you to get into the proper load range.
Airstream was at one time putting Michelin tires on some of their TT's. The ones they did install them on had 6"+ rims with 6-5'5 rim patterns.
If you're looking for an off road style tire then BFG KO2's would work but again you'll need to jump up to a 6" rim width.
Also I believe that RV trailer rims have a 0' offset.

Upon further searching I found these that would work.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...AT51&tab=Sizes

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Lots of threads on this. Yes, you can run LT tires on a trailer. A lot of folks do, and some new rigs come with them. Just make sure the LT has same or better load rating.

Agreed. The OP needs to watch the load carrying capacity of the LT tires, not just that they're the same load rating letter. LT tires have lower carrying capacity than the equivalent load range ST tires.

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by goduc

Upon further searching I found these that would work.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...AT51&tab=Sizes

The problem with that tire is it does not provide the load capacity the OE tires provide and the OE tires are already under RV trailer industry reserve load capacity resommendations.

[goduc]

Originally Posted by Airdale

The problem with that tire is it does not provide the load capacity the OE tires provide and the OE tires are already under RV trailer industry reserve load capacity resommendations.

What is the reserve load capacity recommendation?
The OP's GVWR is around 3800 lbs.
Minus the tongue wight of say 400 lbs the OP only has 3400 lbs on the tires.
The Khumo's have 4190 lbs of load capacity.
Thats a 790 lbs cushion.

[Tundra 2014]

The trick is if you can get 14" in the same weight rating in a LT as you can an ST. I was able to find "D" rated 225/14" in GY Endurance ST, did not find in LT.

[itat]

As I said in Post #3, "Whatever you use, make sure you use tires with a load rating that gives you at least a 20% safety margin."

[goduc]

Originally Posted by itat

As I said in Post #3, "Whatever you use, make sure you use tires with a load rating that gives you at least a 20% safety margin."

20% ?
Where do you come up with that?

[rlocicero]

My suggestion would be American made goodyear endurance.

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by goduc

What is the reserve load capacity recommendation?
The OP's GVWR is around 3800 lbs.
Minus the tongue wight of say 400 lbs the OP only has 3400 lbs on the tires.
The Khumo's have 4190 lbs of load capacity.
Thats a 790 lbs cushion.

According to the specs I found, the trailer has a single vehicle certified 3500# axle. And the OEM tires provided 2150# ea.. In accordance with tire industry standards, replacement tires MUST provide a load capacity equal to or greater than what the OE tires provided.

The 2150# was set with the OEM tire fitments and they then become the minimum standard for that trailer.

Getting down close to the bone with RV trailer tires isn't the wisest thing to do. That's why the RVIA organization has recommended the 10% load capacity reserve for all of their members, about 98% of all RV trailers sold in todays' market.

[itat]

Originally Posted by goduc

20% ?
Where do you come up with that?

RVIA’s recommendation is to have a “10% reserve capacity” over the axle rating. I doubled it. That’s my preference because we hear more stories about tire failure than axle failure.

[goduc]

Originally Posted by itat

RVIA’s recommendation is to have a “10% reserve capacity” over the axle rating. I doubled it. That’s my preference because we hear more stories about tire failure than axle failure.

Oh Ok. Makes sense.
In that case a set of these would cover it.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...XLV2&tab=Specs

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by goduc

Oh Ok. Makes sense.
In that case a set of these would cover it.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...XLV2&tab=Specs

That's a passenger tire made in Vietnam that MUST be derated to a maximum load capacity of 2064# for service on trailer axles.

[Dirt Sifter]

My last two R-pods came with LT tires on them. Call your dealer and find out which tires came on the Hood River editions.

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by Dirt Sifter

My last two R-pods came with LT tires on them. Call your dealer and find out which tires came on the Hood River editions.

Original Equipment designated tire size is displayed on the vehicle certification label.

[Dirt Sifter]

Originally Posted by Airdale

Original Equipment designated tire size is displayed on the vehicle certification label.

If my TT was close, I could probably check that, or I could have just gone out and copied the info off the tire. BUT since it isn't, and I thought the OP would like a resource, I mentioned what I could specifically about R-pods. Perhaps you have more to contribute?

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by Airdale

Original Equipment designated tire size is displayed on the vehicle certification label.

Originally Posted by Dirt Sifter

If my TT was close, I could probably check that, or I could have just gone out and copied the info off the tire. BUT since it isn't, and I thought the OP would like a resource, I mentioned what I could specifically about R-pods. Perhaps you have more to contribute?

My message was not a rebuke of any sort, just usable information.