2016 Rockwood Mini Lite 1809S (dual axle; GVWR 4692) Tire replacement question

[JandS]

Soon I plan on upgrading my Constancy ST205/75R14; load range C, load capacity 1760lb 50 PSI max original tires (3000 miles in 3 years) and rubber valve stems for Maxxis 8008 P/N TL12460000 ST205/75R14 6 ply load range C, load capacity 1760lb 50 PSI max and metal valve stems; extra seal P/N 17-428. I want to add TPMS in the future and the metal valve stems are suggested. The wheels are the stock Lions head Jaguar aluminum and have the counter-bored holes in the radius of the wheel which I have read here require the P/N 17-428 stems instead of TR416 for steel wheels. The counter-bored valve stem holes in the pictures measure approx
7/16" dia.
I didn't feel that upgrading to 8 ply Maxxis ST205/75R14 load capacity 2040lb 65 PSI max was warranted with the relatively low GVWR of my dual axle trailer. I will have the new tires balanced as well. I have attached some pictures.

Is there a flaw in my thinking or am I good to go ahead in your valued opinions? Thanks

[A32Deuce]

Going up to,the 8 ply, just increases the safety margin. I went from 14 inch to 15 inch rims just so I could 8 ply just for the extra margin of capacity.

[JandS]

Thread bump before I purchase the Maxxis M8008 P/N TL12460000 ST205/75R14 6 ply load range C from simpletire.com, 4 for $355.96 with free delivery.


Thanks for your input A32Deuce my 18' trailer is much smaller then your 31'. I can understand your preference for 15" wheels.

[Flybob]

The cost difference between LR C and LR D is not that much and the extra margin is certainly worth the cost (to me). Replacing my LR C with LR D next week.

[capt104]

I went from the Constancy ST205 R14 50# LR -c to Goodyear Endurance ST215 R14 LR-D 65# just for the extra safety factor. I am very pleased that the T/T seems to roll a little easier, the T/T sits a tiny bit higher and I just feel safer all around.
Immediately after I made this chance some one on this blog wrote that he had a catastrophic blowout with the same tires that I just replaced. This just reinforced my belief that I did the right thing. Go a little bigger if you have the option.

[pdqparalegal1]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

Going up to,the 8 ply, just increases the safety margin. I went from 14 inch to 15 inch rims just so I could 8 ply just for the extra margin of capacity.

X-2 I did the same thing. Got four new 15 in tires and Alum wheels, metal stems. took the old 14 in steel wheels and tires and put them on utility and boat trailer.

[wnelsonfl]

I noticed the Endurance roll better also.

[Too Tall]

Originally Posted by JandS

Soon I plan on upgrading my Constancy ST205/75R14; load range C, load capacity 1760lb 50 PSI max original tires (3000 miles in 3 years) and rubber valve stems for Maxxis 8008 P/N TL12460000 ST205/75R14 6 ply load range C, load capacity 1760lb 50 PSI max and metal valve stems; extra seal P/N 17-428. I want to add TPMS in the future and the metal valve stems are suggested. The wheels are the stock Lions head Jaguar aluminum and have the counter-bored holes in the radius of the wheel which I have read here require the P/N 17-428 stems instead of TR416 for steel wheels. The counter-bored valve stem holes in the pictures measure approx
7/16" dia.
I didn't feel that upgrading to 8 ply Maxxis ST205/75R14 load capacity 2040lb 65 PSI max was warranted with the relatively low GVWR of my dual axle trailer. I will have the new tires balanced as well. I have attached some pictures.

Is there a flaw in my thinking or am I good to go ahead in your valued opinions? Thanks

No flaw as far as I'm concerned. I'm in that process right now and ordered the same exact tire you got. My problem is simpletire.com says the tires are no older than 2 to 4 years old. That's unacceptable so they are suppose to arrive today. If they are in fact over 1 year or so, they are going back and I'll lick my wounds.

[67L48]

Trailer GVWR is ~4,600 lbs. Four C rated tires have a load capacity of 7,040. So, I'd say you have plenty of so-called margin without upgrading to D load tires. Your logic and reasoning are both sound and there are no data I can find to suggest otherwise.

Good luck.

[Too Tall]

Yes, agree, also, the more air, the harder the ride. If you need it fine but my axles are the weak point not the tires.

[JandS]

UPDATE: 3/2/18 ordered 4 Maxxis M8008 load range C, Load capacity 1760 lbs, ST205/75R14, Part Number TL12460000 from simpletire.com for $88.99 each, free shipping, no tax. recd 3/7/18, date codes 31st week 2017, ordered metal tire stems from Amazon 3/14, had tires mounted and balanced 3/16 for $20 each, Left from MA to NC trip 5/5 and returned 5/13, 1800 towing miles, 2500 total miles. Tires were flawless in performance. Noticed no towing difference over the original Constancy tires, just peace of mind.

However, I really noticed a difference with the 4 Michelin Defender LTX BSW 275/65R18 1116t 2756 lbs over the original Goodyear Wrangler SR-A P275/65R18 114t 2601 lb tires.

The truck felt much more sure footed, less mushy sidewalls maybe?

JandS

[Too Tall]

Originally Posted by JandS

UPDATE: 3/2/18 ordered 4 Maxxis M8008 load range C, Load capacity 1760 lbs, ST205/75R14, Part Number TL12460000 from simpletire.com for $88.99 each, free shipping, no tax. recd 3/7/18, date codes 31st week 2017, ordered metal tire stems from Amazon 3/14, had tires mounted and balanced 3/16 for $20 each, Left from MA to NC trip 5/5 and returned 5/13, 1800 towing miles, 2500 total miles. Tires were flawless in performance. Noticed no towing difference over the original Constancy tires, just peace of mind.

However, I really noticed a difference with the 4 Michelin Defender LTX BSW 275/65R18 1116t 2756 lbs over the original Goodyear Wrangler SR-A P275/65R18 114t 2601 lb tires.

The truck felt much more sure footed, less mushy sidewalls maybe?

JandS

Thanks, I also put Michelin Defenders on my RAM Diesel and the difference in ride is unbelievable. The Firestone Transforce felt like they were filled with cement. The Defenders are true highway tires, not on off road. Maybe that's the difference but I'm loving them, even with 80 psi in the truck.

I hope these Maxxis are as new as the ones you got from simpletire. I can live with a year old but not 2 to 4 years. thanks.

[67L48]

Originally Posted by JandS

[...] I really noticed a difference with the 4 Michelin Defender LTX BSW 275/65R18 1116t 2756 lbs over the original Goodyear Wrangler SR-A P275/65R18 114t 2601 lb tires.

The truck felt much more sure footed, less mushy sidewalls maybe? [...]

Tough to say. Those are both P-Rated tires, so the construction should be similar, with respect to sidewalls and plies. It could just be the tread pattern, mount, and balance that gave it a better ride.

In the future, even with a lighter trailer such as yours, I'd recommend LT tires for towing. I'm not sure what your TV is, but those sizes look eerily similar to a 1/2 ton truck [Edit: it's in your signature and it's a 1/2 ton]. I know that my F150 came with LT tires and that was back in 2005. I went with P rated for a few years when I wasn't towing. I am now back up to LT tires and E-rated. Heavy, stiff, lost 1-1.2 MPG. But, much better for towing.

Good luck.