Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

Well see I have trailer tires starting to come apart again.

I Said after the last set that I wasn't going to do this again so am looking at changing over to 16" rims as it seems that is the best option for getting away from this issue as much as possible.

I know this has probably been beat to death before so bare with me if you will.

Few questions:

1) How did you determine if 16" rims would work with existing axle spacing (mine looks to have about 4.5" between the 15" Maxxis 10 plys (225/75/15) that are on there now).

2) What/where is the best place to get the new rims.

3) What is the best 16" tire for this application after the switch.

Again I know this has been discussed before but any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

You need to talk to Jeff Teuton, he can help you. He has many years with trailer tires of all sizes. Look him up on this board and send him a message .

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

If you have 6 hole wheels on your trailer, then you have 5000# axles each. 6 hole 16 rims are available. You can get cheapies, steel painted from lots of sources, or aluminum wheels which in that pattern there are some reasonable wheels out there. You will have no problem with back spacing. I assume you are going to use a 16 x 6 wheel which is the standard. I assume you have a 2 axle trailer which I would use a 10 ply (load range e), and a good brand. I use Firestone Transports on my 2 axle, but there are good brands available. Never use any ST (special trailer) tires as they are junk. The reason they are for trailers only is they cannot be certified as a steering axle tire. After that investment, you should be good till you wear them out or they get real old and crack. Nobody makes a good 15 tire for a race car trailer that I know of. If you have 4.5 spacing 5 hole wheels, then you have 3500# each axle, and the best you can hope for is a probably a light truck rated pickup truck tire probably 6 ply (load range C). That axle is famous for knocking out the outer bearing because it is small and heats up and then welds itself to the axle. The 5000# axle has larger bearings and larger brakes. Hope this helps.

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

You didn't say how old the existing ST tires are. In case you are considering staying with 15" tires. . . Maxxis says theirs are good for 5 years; some brands specify 4 years. I would never run them longer, and watch for checking in the sidewalls--usually begins near the tread or the bead. I don't load my 15" ST's more than 80% of rating and run them at max air pressure. E's could get hotter due to heavier construction, especially if I underinflate them to match the light load on them. So far, so good with Maxxis, made in Thailand iirc. I avoid China mfg. tires.

My decision went like this, so far--I heard that non-ST tires could give you a hassle at a roadside check because enforcement wants to see trailer rated tires on trailers. If all ST tires are made off-shore, then 16" probably wouldn't give an advantage over 15" tires.

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

Most of us with trailers with 15" tires have experienced having this problem. I have a Pace American with 6 lug 15 " tires. After losing another tire coming home from Epping last year I went to my trailer guy to solve the problem. He mounted up a 16" tire for me and put in on my trailer, there was about less then an inch on top space to clear and said the tire would bottom out on the inner fender of the trailer. He suggested I go to and E rated 15" which I did. So far this has worked. Just a note I have a 3500 lb car , golf car and the normal amount of tools and other junk in my trailer. 16" clearance may work on this trailer if I had a light car or dragster. I hope this helps you.

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

I switched on a Haulmark with 3500 lb axles. Wheels off of a Lincoln LSC. They are a 16 inch forged aluminum wheel with a 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern. Cheap at the wrecking yard. I put load range G tires on. I have hade this on 2 different trailers with no problems. Before I carried 2 spares and seldom came home with a spare left.

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

certain models of Ford products like Rangers/Mariners/Explorers/LSC came with 16x6 x4 1/2 BC 5 lug wheels also some Jeeps and Mopars you'll hafta look,, mine are Ford Ranger pick up truck wheels put LT225/70R/16 load range E tires on my trailer ---if you are concerned about tire clearance look at the charts to see what the width/diamter will be compared to what you currently have in 15in then get a 16in tire that approximates that size---keep em inflated to the max on the tiresidewall and keep your speed down too-I know guys say they run 80MPH all day long but HEAT is what kills a tire 60-65 MPH is fast enough you'll get there maybe 15 minutes behind him but at least you wont blow a tire--also plan on new tires about every 4-5 years regardless of the mileage!!!!!!!----FED 387

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

Thanks for the input thus far guys.

Joe - Your assumptions are correct - 2 axle - 6lug (5200 # axles).

I have tried all the 'E' tires I can find and I looked back these are about 4 years old and have held up as good as any of them.

From some of the comments maybe that is the best you can expect from them - it just doens't make sense that the tread looks real good yet they start coming apart.

Still kind of on the fence trying to decide what to do.

Any other input ?

Thanks again.

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

Hey guys, pretty new to this board but been in the trailer business for 12 years strong. Maxxis makes about the best 15" E-rated tire I have found. If you are getting 4-5 years out of any 15" tire you are doing FANTASTIC! If you have smaller wheelboxes or close axles you can still go to a 16" wheel/tire. Goodyear makes a 225/75R16 E rated LT tire that is one tough mf'er. There are a few others that mfg this size but the GY is the only one I have personal experience with. Honestly I have a LQ trailer that I run LT's on and if I can get 5 years I feel like I hit the LOTTO!:D;):D

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

Anybody had any experience with the Hercules 15" - 'E' rated trailer tires?

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

Jeff's advice cured my trailer tire problem years ago. Listen to him. I didn't know trailer tires are speed rated to 65 MPH. I used to never drive that slow. Fuel has gotten so expensive, and since I have pretty much retired, I tow a little slower now. LOL
I had 6 lug 15's, I bought 16" wheels at a local trailer supply, and 10 ply Michlien tires. No more tire problems. Tows so much better. Trailer doesn't bobble when meeting big trucks on 2 lane roads now.

Had to tear a fender off my trailer in the middle of the night next to south Dallas to learn the hard way.

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

I was having problems with 10 ply 15 in. tires blowing out on my trailer, 5,200 lb. axles with 6 lugs. Switched to 16 in. and haven't had a problem since. It's worth the peace of mind also. Again, listen to Jeff, he knows what he's talking about!

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

First, never underinflate trailer tires in an attempt to "match" their weight capacity to a load on them that is less than their max rating. E-rated tires take up to 80 psi and don't run less than about 75 even if the trailer is light. Second, it is best if they are loaded not over about 80% of max, especially if you want to run about 72 mph across the big western states where 75 mph is the speed limit. Third, if there is any chance the trailer weight is near the max for the tires, weigh each wheel's load to be sure the weight is evenly distributed and no tire is overloaded.

When we get info about problems with 15" that were "solved" with 16" truck tires, sometimes it is caused by bad 15" trailer tires, especially Chinese made tires. Sometimes it is caused by high highway speeds on overloaded tires, and the 16" tire had a higher weight capacity and is more forgiving of 75-80 mph in hot weather. It is very easy to load a lot of stuff into the trailer that doesn't seem so heavy on an item-by-item basis, but in aggregate was too much.

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

The only tires I've had good experiences with are the 16" commercial tires like the Goodyear 614, the Bridgestone R250, or the Michelin XPS Rib. What all these tires have in common is that they have steel in the sidewalls. Be careful using any LT truck tires on your trailer.

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

Know that this thread is old but has anyone used Hercules E tires, ?

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

Check the sidewall carefully; place of mfg is usually near the bead. I think they may be made in China. If so I would avoid them.

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

I have been seeing a lot of Firestone Transforce on race trailers ( 16E ) ......anybody got any trailer use info on these or had time to test them ?????

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

Rusty,
I have them on both my dually and my 48' LQ trailer. I have never had an issue. This is the second set on the dually. They have only been on the trailer for one season.

Sean

Re: Trailer tires - 15 vs. 16
 

I did this 7/8 yrs ago. Makes a huge difference towing. I got my steel wheels, gray ones, for something like $30 ea. from Southwest Wheel. I think it's part of SWTrailer or something like that. I found some 10 ply 215/16's that were the best fit on my 28 ft trailer, and a good weight rating. Look for a LT truck tire. IMO! They will last the longest. Had 1 go since then. I've towed from Ga to Fla, to Va, to La and Tx. A lot of these guys have a lot more miles than me, but, to me it was a no lose deal.
Unfortunately, unless you do a lot of digging to find some of the few tires still made here, you gonna find Chinese everywhere. Good luck !