Upgrading wheel size from 14 to 15 to allow for higher rated tires?

[Rivasiuk]

Goodyear endurance comes in a 215/75r/14 load rated for 2200 lbs that gives you 8800 lbs. So a 1200 lbs cushion plus less your tounge weight so 15% to 20% safety margin.

[Homersimpson]

The Goodyear Endurance in 215/75-14 is 0.5 inches bigger diameter than the 205/75-14, but the 205/75-15 is 1.0 inch bigger. But the 215/75-14 is actually rated slightly higher than the 205/75-15!!! Whichever you get, be sure to get it in load range D for 65 psi.

[Misterpiano]

Looking to do the same thing...GY Endurance Load range D, up to 215 width from 205. Does anyone know if the aluminum rims are rated for the 65 psi?


I have a 2017 Roo 23ikss.

[Homersimpson]

Don’t know about your wheels, but mine were no problem at 65 psi.

[dward51]

In theory those stock tires are adequate (barely) for the axles, but that is in a perfect world at perfect inflation. If our tires were perfectly inflated all the time, there would be no need to make TPMS units and for us to constantly be checking air pressures.

In the real world, upgrading tire carrying capacity does give an extra margin of error. A D rated (either 14" or 15") will carry your 7,500 trailer even if not at perfect inflation a lot longer than those barely rated stock style tires. I for one like extra margins of error. Toss in road bumps and stress and that margin of safety of the D rated Endurance comes more into play. IMO the barely meeting capacity of a lot of trailers with those stock style tires "under perfect world conditions" is what lead to the China-bomb name. Since the world is rarely perfect, with little to no margin of error, bang goes the tire.....

I guess it's like trying to tow a "lightweight" 5er with a 1/2 ton truck. You might get away with it and be right at all the limits, but is it really a good idea to roll the dice all the time? The real world has a way of slanting the numbers (and usually not in your favor).

[Off Rez]

I upgraded the "china bombs" this year to GY Endurance but stepped up from 205/75r14 C to 215/75r14 D for all the reasons above. Safety margin is important and this seemed like a no brainer to me as it doesn't impact the performance of the trailer, just improves it's load bearing capabilities. Drive through Salt Lake City and you'll think about improving your tires and suspension almost immediately!