Replace 16" wheels with 17.5"

[Bruce and Jenna]

Gettin' ready to buy new tires. Still uncertain about upgrading from current GY tires to Michelins with 17.5 rims. I've had no problems with my GY tires in 3.5 years and 15,000 miles.

Of course, $ makes the decision. I've priced new rims at $175 for steel and $300 for aluminum. Four Michelins cost $300 more than the GYs. And so my questions for your consideration:
1 Is there any practical difference between the two metals to justify the extra cost? Been told that the steel is stronger, and the aluminum is prettier.
2 Does anyone have specs on the current 16" rims, so I can get a firm price and consider ordering the bigger rims? PI just told me "8 bolt, 16 x 6 spoke."
3 Someone said that I can retain one of my GYs and rim as a spare, as they have the same diameter and rolling circumference. True? If not, I'm out another $500.

Thanks much as always.

[RustyJC]

That seems high for aluminum wheels. Here are two examples for quite a bit less:

Quote:

17.5 X 6.75 HI-SPEC ALUMINUM SERIES 07 WHEEL WITH 8 ON 6.5" BOLT CIRCLE AND SILVER PAINT INLAY $233.00 Reg. $223.00 SALE 17.5"x6.75" Aluminum Hi-Spec Series 07 trailer wheel for use with 1/2" or 9/16" studs. THIS WHEEL HAS SILVER PAINT INLAY. Bolt circle: 8 on 6.5". Capacity: 4,850 pounds. Offset: "0". Hub bore: 4.90". Finish: Machined and Clearcoat. These wheels are furnished complete with 4.90 Stainless Steel center cap with plastic plug for greasing hubs or checking oil level. The 1/2"-20 or 9/16-18 60 degree staniless steel capped lug nuts are also included in this package as well as the steel bolt in valve stem. DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THESE WHEELS WHEN PLACING AN ORDER YOU WILL HAVE TO ORDER THEM NO MORE THAN THREE(3) WHEELS PER ORDER. If you are looking for a tire and wheel package please e-mail or call with your request. If you are sending an e-mail please include a ship to address with your request and we will supply a quotation delivered to the address supplied. The best freight rates can sometimes be via LTL delivery so if you have a business address we can ship to that is best. We stock 215/75R17.5 tires in the following brands: Goodyear, Michelin, Sumitomo, Kelly and Gladiator. Other brands are available upon request. Hispec # 777865S

Quote:

17.5" x 6.75" 865 Aluminum Hi-Spec Series 03 Trailer Wheel. 4,850 pound capacity $233.00 Reg. $223.00 SALE 17.5"x6.75" Aluminum Hi-Spec Series 03 trailer wheel for use with 1/2" or 9/16" studs. Capacity: 4,850 pounds. Offset: "0". Hub bore: 4.90". Finish: Machined and Clearcoat. These wheels are furnished complete with 4.90 Stainless Steel center cap with plastic plug for greasing hubs or checking oil level. The 1/2"-20 or 9/16-18 60 degree staniless steel capped lug nuts are also included in this package as well as the steel bolt in valve stem. DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THESE WHEELS WHEN PLACING AN ORDER YOU WILL HAVE TO ORDER THEM NO MORE THAN THREE(3) WHEELS PER ORDER. If you are looking for a tire and wheel package please e-mail or call with your request. If you are sending an e-mail please include a ship to address with your request and we will supply a quotation delivered to the address supplied. The best freight rates can sometimes be via LTL delivery so if you have a business address we can ship to that is best. We stock 215/75R17.5 tires in the following brands: Goodyear, Michelin, Sumitomo, Kelly and Gladiator. Other brands are available upon request. Hispec # 377865

This is at Trailer Tires & Wheels.com - you might want to give Scott a call and see what he can price up a package for. He will need to know your axle stud size as well - either 1/2", 9/16" or 5/8" (the latter takes a different wheel model #). On my Dexter 7000 lb axles, it was 9/16", but YMMV. This is where I got my 17.5" wheel and Michelin XTA tire package, and I was very satisfied with the prices and service.

Rusty

[Still Working "NOT"]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce and Jenna Gettin' ready to buy new tires. Still uncertain about upgrading from current GY tires to Michelins with 17.5 rims. I've had no problems with my GY tires in 3.5 years and 15,000 miles. Of course, $ makes the decision. I've priced new rims at $175 for steel and $300 for aluminum. Four Michelins cost $300 more than the GYs. And so my questions for your consideration: 1 Is there any practical difference between the two metals to justify the extra cost? Been told that the steel is stronger, and the aluminum is prettier. 2 Does anyone have specs on the current 16" rims, so I can get a firm price and consider ordering the bigger rims? PI just told me "8 bolt, 16 x 6 spoke." 3 Someone said that I can retain one of my GYs and rim as a spare, as they have the same diameter and rolling circumference. True? If not, I'm out another $500. Thanks much as always.

Bruce,

It looks like you did your home work on this. Those figures are about what I thought they would run. If it was me I would go with Aluminum rims (looks) and the Goodyear tires (cost). Make sure the rims will use the same lug nuts and keep the 16" steel rim and tire for a spare.

[Bruce and Jenna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Still Working "NOT" Bruce, It looks like you did your home work on this. Those figures are about what I thought they would run. If it was me I would go with Aluminum rims (looks) and the Goodyear tires (cost). Make sure the rims will use the same lug nuts and keep the 16" steel rim and tire for a spare.

Thanks for the reply. RustyC too.

Trying to understand your suggestion. I only need new rims if I buy the 17.5" Michelin XTAs at the higher price. If I stay with the 16" GY, I already have the alum wheels on trailer.

If the larger Michelin, can I use the 16" rim and tire as a spare with the remaining Michelins.

[RustyJC]

Right - I listed the 17.5" wheels as my understanding of your post was that the wheel prices you quoted were associated with moving up to 17.5" tires. Please note that in the vendor information I posted one has a choice of vendors for the 17.5" tires, including (but not limited to) both Michelin XTAs and Goodyear G114s. The package I bought from them included the wheels, tires, center caps, lug nuts, steel valve stems, etc. with the tires already mounted and balanced ready to install on the RV.

I went ahead and ordered 5 each 17.5" wheels and tires as my spare 16" Goodyear G614 was coming up on 6 years old, but you can certainly use a 16" G614 as a spare with the 215/75R-17.5" configuration tire/wheel package as the overall diameter remains about the same at 30.7" for the 16" LT235/85R-16 Goodyear G614 and 30.5" for the Goodyear 215/75R-17.5 G114.

Rusty

[Bruce and Jenna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC Right - I listed the 17.5" wheels as my understanding of your post was that the wheel prices you quoted were associated with moving up to 17.5" tires. Please note that in the vendor information I posted one has a choice of vendors for the 17.5" tires, including (but not limited to) both Michelin XTAs and Goodyear G114s. The package I bought from them included the wheels, tires, center caps, lug nuts, steel valve stems, etc. with the tires already mounted and balanced ready to install on the RV. I went ahead and ordered 5 each 17.5" wheels and tires as my spare 16" Goodyear G614 was coming up on 6 years old, but you can certainly use a 16" G614 as a spare with the 215/75R-17.5" configuration tire/wheel package as the overall diameter remains about the same at 30.7" for the 16" LT235/85R-16 Goodyear G614 and 30.5" for the Goodyear 215/75R-17.5 G114. Rusty

Thnx Rusty! Guess I'm gettin' a good deal locally, as Scott's price delivered comes in just $100 under the local price for tires plus aluminum wheels at $300. Guess that shipping makes the difference.

Still wonder about using steel wheels instead. Any disadvantage other than the ugly factor?

[RustyJC]

Just looks and unsprung weight, I guess.

Rusty

[Bruce and Jenna]

Any Excel owner know the specs on the current 16" rims, so I can get a firm price and consider ordering the bigger rims? PI just told me "8 bolt, 16 x 6 spoke."

[Still Working "NOT"]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce and Jenna Thanks for the reply. RustyC too. Trying to understand your suggestion. I only need new rims if I buy the 17.5" Michelin XTAs at the higher price. If I stay with the 16" GY, I already have the alum wheels on trailer. If the larger Michelin, can I use the 16" rim and tire as a spare with the remaining Michelins.

No, Go to the 17.5 rims and the cheaper between the GY and Michelin 17.5 tire. Your existing 16" rim and tire can be use for your spare. The tire diameter is the same as the 17.5 tire.

[KTM Guy]

The tire diameters may be the same, but I think you get more squash in the 16" tire because of the taller sidewalls. I know that you shouldn't use different wheel sizes on an all-wheel drive vehicle for this reason. Probably it doesn't matter for a trailer -- especially for a spare.

[KramalotInn]

Bruce,

I plan to replace our G614s and wheels with 17.5" while in Tucson this winter. I also have had no trouble with the G614s with over 20,000 miles. I don't want to push my luck.

I talked to Scott at Trailer Tires & Wheels last month. He said the Hi-Spec Series 03 are direct replacements for the aluminum wheels we have on our Excels. The price quoted for the wheels and the Michelin tires shipped to a Tucson depot was $2,233. The Goodyear G114s would be $15/tire more.

Rick

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTM Guy The tire diameters may be the same, but I think you get more squash in the 16" tire because of the taller sidewalls. I know that you shouldn't use different wheel sizes on an all-wheel drive vehicle for this reason. Probably it doesn't matter for a trailer -- especially for a spare.

As mentioned before, the diameter of the tires are the same for the subject wheels and tires. As a temporary(spare) situation you'll be fine.

And as far as the all wheel drive vehicle situation....you want to have the same diameter tires all the way around on them. If you get much
differential in wheel speed side to side or front to rear it plays havic on the transfer case (overheats clutchs). I've seen vehicles that the transfer case start making noise (chattering on turns) and they rebuild/replace the transfer case and leave the same tires (usually the tires that didn't get rotated) on and in short order ruin another transfer case. Duh! Guess what??? NOW you need to freshen up the T-case again AND new tires!!! rockin'

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KramalotInn I talked to Scott at Trailer Tires & Wheels last month. He said the Hi-Spec Series 03 are direct replacements for the aluminum wheels we have on our Excels.

The 8 on 6.5" bolt circle is just about universal. Just take a tape measure and get a measurement across the centers of two opposing lug nuts - it should be 6.5".

The other key measurement to confirm is the 4.90" hub bore. You could measure this on your spare without having to dismount a wheel from an axle.

As I said, the main variable is the axle stud size - 1/2", 9/16" or 5/8". You can pull 1 lug nut and go to Ace Hardware and determine which you have - just go to the bolt drawers and see what size bolt the lug nut will thread onto. With this information, Scott can determine what you need as far as the correct wheel and lug nut part numbers. The axle studs on mine are 9/16"-18, but YMMV.

I went with the Series 03 wheels and Michelin XTA 215/75R-17.5 tires, and they were a "no-brainer" bolt-on.

Rusty

[wa8yxm]

While I can not comment on the price, There are two or 3 basic differences.

1: The larger tires will roll easier, this could improve MPG
2: They often can carry more load
3: Less wear on the wheel bearings
4: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH ROOM FOR THE LARGER TIRE!!!!!!!!
5: If these are DRIVE tires it will affect your speedometer readings and you will need to re-calibrate.


I have upgraded a couple of trailers.. In both cases I measured to make sure I had room and was very happy with the result.