2 axle tire spacing, too close?

[MojaveJoe]

About to purchase some Michelin XPS Rib tires for my fiver. Buying the same size that came from factory LT235/85R16-E, but the new tires will decrease my tire spacing on the double axles by 3/4" according to their spec sheet. Leaving me with 1 or 1.25" between the tire treads.

Wondering if this is a mistake? Had about 2" before on my 32' HitchHiker LS. 1" is gonna make me nervious on our cross country trip towing about 12,000 #s. But I can't figure out why it would be a problem?

All advice and experiences appreciated.

Joe

[MojaveJoe]

About to purchase some Michelin XPS Rib tires for my fiver. Buying the same size that came from factory LT235/85R16-E, but the new tires will decrease my tire spacing on the double axles by 3/4" according to their spec sheet. Leaving me with 1 or 1.25" between the tire treads.

Wondering if this is a mistake? Had about 2" before on my 32' HitchHiker LS. 1" is gonna make me nervious on our cross country trip towing about 12,000 #s. But I can't figure out why it would be a problem?

All advice and experiences appreciated.

Joe

[buckeyes]

Will not be a problem, IF you make certain that the tires are rated for the load carried, and balanced well prior to being mounted. I did the same change last month, and the ride was superb over the factory issue tire. We have a 30' Wildcat 5th Wheel and certainly glad to have made the switch. Happy RV'ing and may the sun always be at your back.

[RustyJC]

For the information of anyone considering a switchover to the Michelin XPS Rib but who may have a problem with the 32" published diameter of the LT235/85R-16 tire, a 30.6" diameter Michelin XPS Rib is available. This smaller diameter tire is an LT245/75R-16 and has the same 3042 lbs @ 80 PSIG load rating as the LT235/85. Despite its size designation, the 245 is no wider (narrower, actually) than the 235 according to Michelin's spec sheet HERE.

The XPS Rib is an excellent E-rated tire. I used them on my previous 5th wheel and just put a set of 6 on the truck. I only wish they would make them in a load range G!

Rusty

[donpop]

I put the same tire you are looking at on my Cardinal 32CKT a few months ago. I only have 1" or so spacing between tires. There is no reason you should have a problem. Excellent tire. Go for it.

[MojaveJoe]

I did get them and still have about 1.25" separation.

About to do 7000 miles with them. Should be a good test. Im confident. The Discount Tire manager said these are the best tires I could have chosen.

Last summer I had 3 flats (inc 2 blowouts) It was a nightmare 2 month trip. Plenty stressful.

This year with new tires and a Pressure Pro TPMS I will know exactly whats going on, within seconds of a low pressure problem beginning to develop. Hope to spend more time enjoying the drive and less time watching amd wondering about my tires.

Regards,
Joe

[cwsoules]

I have looked at this upgrade too, but I also need to go from 15" to 16" rims. I think that I'll have the needed clearance, but have not found a good source for the 16" rims. I'm looking at this as a way to find a quality load range E tire. I could not find a 15" load range E tire by a major manufacturer, so I continue to allow my trailer to eat Marathon tires, one tire at a time every 6,000 to 7,000 miles.

[RustyJC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by cwsoules:
I think that I'll have the needed clearance, but have not found a good source for the 16" rims. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Try HERE.

Rusty

[MojaveJoe]

One thing you need to be real sure about before changing wheel/tire sizes. CLEARANCE! Clearance on all sides, to all suspension components and the wheel well.

My tire dealer warned me about this. When I looked inside I found my stock tires on one side had about 3/8" to the shock absorber. The other side had 1/2 inch. (I was surprised and never noticed this before) Fortunataley my new tires had the same clearance (width), even though they were taller.

I have 16x6 rims, the narrowest the Ribs will take, but this also keeps them their narrowest when installed.

Consider all CLEARANCES.

Good Luck,
Joe

[MojaveJoe]

Well folks,

Did 10,000 miles with my new XPS Ribs and close clearances. Also had a PressurePro TPMS which allowed me to daily and while driving check tire pressure from the cab (what a great way to bust the stress of worrying about tire problems)

My Michelin XPS Ribs performed flawlessly. I ran them at 80PSI from home at 40F and got them as high as 98PSI in Florida at 95F, but I never had to add any air in 2.5 months and 10,000 miles.

I know they were new, and the real test will be in years 2-3-4 to see how well they hold up.

By far my best investment was the PressurePro system to keep tabs on my tire pressures from the cab. Mounted the display on my visor which made daily and emergency tire pressure numbers incredibly easy to get, in 5 seconds. Running over a foreign object several times in 10K, I merely flipped down the visor and checked for any visual indicator on the trailer and truck tire display. Found no problems, flipped up the visor and 5 seconds later continued down the hwy stress free, knowing even a slow leak would be detected and sound an alarm to let me know when my pressure got down to 70PSI.

I know this sounds like a commercial, but Iam not affiliated with PressurePro, just trying to help other RVers who worry about their tires.

Hope everyone else had a great summer like we did.

Cheers,
Joe

[TexasPSDX]

cwsoules - I made the same switch from 15" to 16" with Michelin XPS ribs last spring. Bought everything from Discount Tire. I changed my spare also. They made me a good package price since I bought wheels and tires from them at one time. 5 16" aluminum wheels + 5 225/75/16" load range E Michelin XPS ribs = $1400

[MojaveJoe]

Got any pics of those new wheels, Texas? Brand and Style name too if you can.

Im in the market for new wheels for the fiver to replace the OEM white spokes. Will need 16x6, about 4000# rated. (?)

Thanks,
Joe