NC Hauler wrote: If you went 19.5" would you have enough room between the two tires? Would they be so close that they might possibly scrub each other? I'd stay with the 16" or go 17.5...I'm in the same boat...going to "wait and see" what's out there this time next year.
What got me going on this tire thing was a thread on the MOC forum, a gentlemen installing on a Montana Big Sky 19.5 tires and wheels Vision Style 81 rims 4500 lb weight rating and Michelin XZE 225/70/ 19.5 G rated 3970 lb rating. Speed rating is 75 MPH. Tire diameter 32.2, he said he was an inch taller, sounds close, 235/80/16 around 30.5 so you would gain half of the difference on height, and you would close the gap between them by nearly two inches. He has the same axles as my Montana 7K. Spacing between my tires are roughly 4*1/4 inches that would put the spacing roughly 2*1/4 . He was confident there were no problems on spacing.
I like the idea of a 17.5 tire and wheel, but his research take it for what it is worth, he had read to many failures with the 17.5. That is very hard to believe ,but I sure don't have any experience with them. I have done a bit of researching and have not come across any complaints, I did ask him to reference his findings on the failures, but no reply. Its hard to imagine a Michelin H rated 215/75/17.5 weight rating 4805 ,not handling safely a 15500 GVWR fifth wheel . My concern is how that stiff of a tire is going to treat the suspension and the fifth wheel in general. I do have 7k axles MorRyde suspension and pin box, that will help. Time will tell, I believe these 17.5 and 19.5 upgrades are not wide spread, but as time goes on with these 16" tire failures there is going to be more info coming forth. I am not in a great rush I have until spring to make a decision.
New wheels really dont cost that much. These wheels with Goodyear G114 which are H rated tires good for 4850# are actually .2" smaller than the G rated ones. Two wheels and tires, delivered, mounted and balanced ready to put on $1130 Your price may varry because of shipping.
That looks like it would be a great setup, there are some rims on the bottom of the page you referenced that are pretty nice looking rim about the same price, I don't believe I have seen them on a trailer. Are these G114 made in the USA ?? I am leaning towards the 17.5 either way 17.5 or 19.5 you are not going to find tires stocked at your local tire store, I would think any good tire store would order what ever you want, but my concern would be getting a replacement tire very quickly if needed. Buying them to start I would buy online from the source you referenced. Thanks for the info.
So why air them up to the max, if your running much less wt then they are rated for??I run my 4x4 srw 10/15 lbs less on the front all the time,rated at 65 cold,nary a problem in 40000 miles.
We went with 17.5 wheels and tires after long hours of looking and investigating all the alternatives. I found no problems with any of the 17.5 H tires. Not like the 614s we have now. We have aluminum wheels on order form Trailer Wheel & Tire and the tires are coming from a local tire dealer, I ordered Sumitomo SR727 215/75R/17.5 LRH and will have them installed after the wheels show up. The 17.5 tires have been used on lowboy trailers for years so they have a long good track record. I didn't go with GY G114 because after two failed sets of 614 tires I want nothing to do with GY American made only goes so far. The Michelins only have a 62 MPH speed rating and the Sumitomo have a 75 MPH like the Goodyear G114. The wheels came to $983.68 delivered and the tires $977.98 out the door for a total $1961.66 for a set of 4. We will end up with a heavier rated tire that will cost less to replace than the GY 614 come apart tear up your trailer tires.
Denny
2000 F350 SC DRW V10 4.30 gears, Banks Cat Back, BrakeSmart, Air Lifts
2003 HitchHiker Premier 35FKTG
It is my understanding that the 17.5"ers are the most prevelant and easiest to get. The G114s are made in usa.
I have been very happy with the service from Trailer Tires and Wheels. They came UPS wrapped in plastic ready to mount.
Fulltimer50 wrote: It is my understanding that the 17.5"ers are the most prevelant and easiest to get. The G114s are made in usa.
I have been very happy with the service from Trailer Tires and Wheels. They came UPS wrapped in plastic ready to mount.
If you go to about any tire dealer that services commercial trucks and they will have them.
The Elite/Mobile Suites 2009's 38' come standard with the 8,000 axles and the Goodyear 17.5 G114's H rated. Mine are running cool and so for their great. Of course we had 3 5th wheels with the G614's and never ever had a issue over 22,000 miles on one set don't remember the mileage on the other two sets. And both the G614's and the G114's are made in the USA. GBY....
2006 FreightLiner M2
Trailer Saver Air Ride (TSLB2H)
Pressure Pro System
2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 C/C (Grocery hauler)
2009 Chevy HHR LT 2
2010 Mobile Suites 38 RSSB 3/4
Offline
