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Old 04-09-2018, 09:56 AM   #1
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Tire Load Questions

Hi All,

This is my first post. I have a question regarding tire load ratings on a travel trailer. I have a 2014 Heartland North Trail 24rbs with a GVWR of 6900#. Currently has the stock c-rated tires (load rating of 1760# each for a total of about 7000#). After hearing enough stories of blowouts etc I want to upgrade my tires before a longer trip out west this spring.

Current tires are 205 75R 14. Tires I'm looking at are Goodyear Endurance. With the 14" wheels the best rating I can get on any tires is D (2039# each 8100# total). I'd really like to go to E rated.

Now to my question. Is it worth it to upgrade to 15" wheels at another $400? It would get me to 2800# each 11,200# total. Or am I safe enough at the D-rated?

Thanks,
Blake
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Old 04-09-2018, 10:08 AM   #2
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I haven't had a TT since 1988, so am not an expert but generally you will have less trouble with better/higher rated wheels and tires.
My rig is very "over tired" and after 8 years the 9 yr old tires still looked new even the inside looked great. My front axle is rated for 20,000#'s, the tires are rated for over 21,000#'s but it's only carrying just over 18,000#'s.
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Old 04-09-2018, 10:21 AM   #3
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At current you can carry 7040lbs at 1760lbsx4 tires, but keep in mind that roughly 700lbs is on the tongue, meaning roughly only 6340lbs are on the tires. I encourage you to get actual weights before changing the tires.

Still, I agree you should upgrade to D, and E is probably overkill. You'll know for sure if you get weighed, but sounds like the Endurance for a total of 8156lbs is your best bet.
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Old 04-09-2018, 03:50 PM   #4
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I put the load range D Endurance on our travel trailer a year ago. 5,000 miles and no problems.
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Old 04-09-2018, 06:11 PM   #5
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Hi Blake, and

Quote:
Originally Posted by BlakeG View Post
Now to my question. Is it worth it to upgrade to 15" wheels at another $400? It would get me to 2800# each 11,200# total. Or am I safe enough at the D-rated?
I pefer to have a lot more trailer tire than I "need". Fewer problems with blown out trailer tires.

Ignore trailer GVWR and go by trailer axle GAWR. I want at least 25% more weight capacity than the GAWR requires. With 5 trailers, I haven't had a trailer tire problem during the last 20 years.

So after measuring to be certain the wider and taller ST225/75R15E tires will fit inside the trailer wheel wells with adequate room for suspension travel, I'd go for new 15x6" wheels and the load range E tires.

But I wouldn't pay $100 per wheel. I'd probably go for these:
https://www.southwestwheel.com/p-4937-jg15x65gs.aspx

Less than $43 per wheel, delivered. If DW insists on fancier wheels on the trailer, they're available at higher cost

For the tires, TireRack prices are hard to beat.
Goodyear Endurance ST225/75R15E

The Endurance is a new tire brand, and I have no experience with them. But I have several years experience with Maxxis ST225/75R15E and ST225/75R15D. I've had excellent service from the Maxxis trailer tires.
Maxxis ST225/75R15E
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Old 04-09-2018, 07:20 PM   #6
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Your trailer probably has around 1600 lbs load per tire. Now add a good 15 percent reserve capacity = around 2100-2200 lbs per tire.

If you have plenty of clearance in the wheel well and between the tires moving up to a ST205/75-15 d at 2150 lb capacity or ....
A ST225/75-15 c at 2150 lb capacity.
Providers....Carlisle HD....Goodyear Endurance are the new gen higher speed rated ST tires. Higher speed ratings aren't just about driving faster but more about the tires ability to deal with heat generated at speed while carrying a load...so they say.

15" tires roll over RR tracks/potholes/over curbs/etc easier on the suspension/trailer and contents than the smaller diameter 14" sizes.

15" wheel also opens the door for using LT tires.
Just about all the USA tire makers have a LT235/75-15 C load range at around 2000 lb capacity.
Goodyear markets a Wrangler HT in a LT215/85-15 D at 2100 lbs capacity. You can expect 40k-60k miles and 7-8 years of trouble free service with LT tires if there taken care of properly.

Lots of tire choices in 15" sizes for trailers usage. You sure don't need a 15"D tire at 2580 or a ST E at 2830 lbs capacity on a trailer that size. A 80 psi tire will pound the trailer. And derate it with low minimum pressures makes more parasitic drag on the tow vehicle engine.
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Old 04-09-2018, 07:24 PM   #7
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I have put Endurance tires on my 5er and two friends bumper pulls. Mine are E's. One was D's and one C's which we upgraded. Total of 20k miles combined and on issues. Mine show no appreciable wear. At you weight I would go with D rated in the same size and not look back.TPMS is a worthwhile expenditure for the peace of mind.
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Old 04-09-2018, 08:26 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlakeG View Post
Hi All,

This is my first post. I have a question regarding tire load ratings on a travel trailer. I have a 2014 Heartland North Trail 24rbs with a GVWR of 6900#. Currently has the stock c-rated tires (load rating of 1760# each for a total of about 7000#). After hearing enough stories of blowouts etc I want to upgrade my tires before a longer trip out west this spring.

Current tires are 205 75R 14. Tires I'm looking at are Goodyear Endurance. With the 14" wheels the best rating I can get on any tires is D (2039# each 8100# total). I'd really like to go to E rated.

Now to my question. Is it worth it to upgrade to 15" wheels at another $400? It would get me to 2800# each 11,200# total. Or am I safe enough at the D-rated?

Thanks,
Blake
I'm guessing you have two 3500# axles. The OE tires are going to be severely tested when being operated at near max axle load.

RVIA recommends a 10% load capacity reserve above the axle system's maximum load. With that in mind you should be very comfortable with the LRD tires. Weight is the enemy. Get it all loaded and find some scales. Make sure the trailer is at or under GVWR and none of the axle ends are overloaded. Also make sure your valve stems can handle the PSI increase to 65 PSI. The wheels are good for the load as long as they're certified for the increased PSI.
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Old 04-10-2018, 01:47 PM   #9
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I upgraded our TT from D to E rated Endurance tires last year (stock 15"). Tires are doing great at around 8K miles so far. I don't know that I would necessarily worry about upgrading to the 15s, but I would definitely upgrade to the D rated Endurance tires. And as mentioned by cfowler55, add the TMPS system for more piece of mind. We run the 507 TST system.
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