Bigger tires

[Chris M.]

I am curious on some input for putting bigger / wider tires on my toy hauler. A bit more ground clearance would be nice but an axle flip would make my trailer look silly. Looks like I would gain roughly and inch going from 205/75r15 to 225/75/r15 on my 260RT. My biggest reason for wanting a larger tire is to make it a bit of a smoother ride on the forest roads. The holes and wash boards get thick after awhile no matter how deep into the woods you go. Right now I have 205/75r15 easily I can find 225/75r15 in the load rating I would need. Which realistic my trailer maxed is 9k pounds. By all means not looking to do off-roading so to speak with the trailer but It would be nice to have a smoother pull on the trailer getting in. Anyone have some experience with with specifically? It is worth the change?

[D W]

What capacity axles do you have?

Are your springs "underslung" or "oversprung"?

[NJKris]

I have off road package on my GeoPro, I like the Westlake 235/75 R15's I have that came stock, But they are expensive as hell right now, over 300 bucks each!!

[Chris M.]

Originally Posted by D W

What capacity axles do you have?

Are your springs "underslung" or "oversprung"?

Under slung and they are 3900 lbs axles. Trailer tag max gvwr is basically 8600 full. Tag says tongue is 800.

[Chris M.]

Originally Posted by NJKris

I have off road package on my GeoPro, I like the Westlake 235/75 R15's I have that came stock, But they are expensive as hell right now, over 300 bucks each!!

Yeah I don’t need that big lol and I did see some of the westlakes brand tires. Darn near gold lol

[D W]

Originally Posted by Chris M.

Under slung and they are 3900 lbs axles. Trailer tag max gvwr is basically 8600 full. Tag says tongue is 800.

You could easily install ST225-75R15 tires in LR D if you have the clearance. The 225's are a little over an inch taller and almost an inch wider (tread wise), than the 205's. While the 225's will "track" better, I doubt they will compensate for rough roads as you described. Are your current 205-75R15's LR C or D?

PS: The ST225-75R15 tire is best suited for a 15x6 wheel.

[Chris M.]

Originally Posted by D W

You could easily install ST225-75R15 tires in LR D if you have the clearance. The 225's are a little over an inch taller and almost an inch wider (tread wise), than the 205's. While the 225's will "track" better, I doubt they will compensate for rough roads as you described. Are your current 205-75R15's LR C or D?

PS: The ST225-75R15 tire is best suited for a 15x6 wheel.

How did you figure or know what size tire an axle could go to? Also my load rating of tire is D. I have the clearance easily, my wheels / hubs are 5 lug not 6.

[D W]

Originally Posted by Chris M.

How did you figure or know what size tire an axle could go to? Also my load rating of tire is D. I have the clearance easily, my wheels / hubs are 5 lug not 6.

Your axle rating is always a starting point. Many people upgrade their tire sizes provided they have the proper clearance. When I mentioned wheel size 15x6 it refers to wheel diameter and the width of the rim. It has nothing to with the amount of lugs. Lug patterns are addressed as 6 on 5.5, or 5 on 4.5", i.e number of lugs and lug spacing.

[Chris M.]

Originally Posted by D W

Your axle rating is always a starting point. Many people upgrade their tire sizes provided they have the proper clearance. When I mentioned wheel size 15x6 it refers to wheel diameter and the width of the rim. It has nothing to with the amount of lugs. Lug patterns are addressed as 6 on 5.5, or 5 on 4.5", i.e number of lugs and lug spacing.

Ahh. I follow now. I was getting a tad confused with some of the lingo while searching cause the only thing I could come to a conclusion on was the amount of lugs. If I have the clearance would 235s be reasonable to put on?

[D W]

Originally Posted by Chris M.

Ahh. I follow now. I was getting a tad confused with some of the lingo while searching cause the only thing I could come to a conclusion on was the amount of lugs. If I have the clearance would 235s be reasonable to put on?

The ST235-75R15 tire is designed as an off-road trailer tire with aggressive tread. It has a diameter of about 30" and tread width of 9.3". With underslung springs clearance may be an issue. Additionally, they are very expensive as NJKris posted. About $300 each for a LR D.

[Chris M.]

Originally Posted by D W

The ST235-75R15 tire is designed as an off-road trailer tire with aggressive tread. It has a diameter of about 30" and tread width of 9.3". With underslung springs clearance may be an issue. Additionally, they are very expensive as NJKris posted. About $300 each for a LR D.

Yeah I noticed that. I didn’t realize 235/75r15 wasn’t a common trailer tire. Cost I’m not too concerned with as long as it fits my purpose, reasonably. I pay 600 bucks a tire on my semi truck so I’m used to sticker shock. What I did notice was some bigger toy haulers use 235/80r16. That would be just under 4inches in height gain. The width I could do even while backing in tight or flexing. Would have to get a 3rd step to get in the trailer…The height in the wheel well might be an issue…besides the money do foresee any issues besides what I have noted?

[NJKris]

Higher center of gravity. My roof line is not high to begin with, so no big deal. If I wanted to go bigger, I'd tow it to a reputable tire dealer so they can look at it, and you can ask what is largest that your trailer can accommodate.


And now CCR Proud Mary is stuck in my head.

[D W]

Originally Posted by Chris M.

Yeah I noticed that. I didn’t realize 235/75r15 wasn’t a common trailer tire. Cost I’m not too concerned with as long as it fits my purpose, reasonably. I pay 600 bucks a tire on my semi truck so I’m used to sticker shock. What I did notice was some bigger toy haulers use 235/80r16. That would be just under 4inches in height gain. The width I could do even while backing in tight or flexing. Would have to get a 3rd step to get in the trailer…The height in the wheel well might be an issue…besides the money do foresee any issues besides what I have noted?

As stated earlier, clearance is the issue with ST225-75R15's with underslung axles.

ST235/80r16's are out of the question unless you intend to make wholesale changes to your axles. I have never seen a 15" wheel with a 8 on 6.5" lug pattern. Spindles, brakes and hubs are different.

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by Chris M.

I am curious on some input for putting bigger / wider tires on my toy hauler. A bit more ground clearance would be nice but an axle flip would make my trailer look silly. Looks like I would gain roughly and inch going from 205/75r15 to 225/75/r15 on my 260RT. My biggest reason for wanting a larger tire is to make it a bit of a smoother ride on the forest roads. The holes and wash boards get thick after awhile no matter how deep into the woods you go. Right now I have 205/75r15 easily I can find 225/75r15 in the load rating I would need. Which realistic my trailer maxed is 9k pounds. By all means not looking to do off-roading so to speak with the trailer but It would be nice to have a smoother pull on the trailer getting in. Anyone have some experience with with specifically? It is worth the change?

Have you asked your trailer manufacturer for their recommendation?

[Chris M.]

Originally Posted by NJKris

Higher center of gravity. My roof line is not high to begin with, so no big deal. If I wanted to go bigger, I'd tow it to a reputable tire dealer so they can look at it, and you can ask what is largest that your trailer can accommodate.


And now CCR Proud Mary is stuck in my head.

Lol to the CCR reference. I have a guy I need to make a visit to. Just kinda spitballing right now. My roofline is kinda low so I’m not to concerned but it is a consideration for sure.