jcnsull
Lake Charles, La. 70605
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Joined: 12/22/2004
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What is a safe clearance from the top of the tire to the bottom of the trailer? After having a tire separate this weekend, I think I want to go to a 16" wheel. It seems that all brands of Chinese made tire have had some problems. I would like to go to a LT225/R75/16 load rated E American made tire. Can a trailer be lifted with a spacer between the axle and spring. I would need longer u bolts to do this.
James
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pcm1959
St Augustine, FL
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Joined: 01/23/2007
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It just depends on your trailer. You might be surprised at the tire diameter difference between a 15" vs 16" tire. I used the tire manufactureres charts to determine the exact diameter difference.
We upgraded to BFGoodrich Commercial T/A's from Goodyear Marathons. You can find both these tires exact deminsions on their websites.
We made the switch nearly 2 years ago on our Keystone Sydney fiver with no problems whatsoever to date.
I will tell you that if you do not have shocks or Dexter E-Z Flex (or comparable suspension components), you will find a harder ride for the trialer with non-ST tires.
There are lots of post on here about the upgrade. Good luck. PCM
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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Joined: 09/25/2007
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I went from a 225/75 15 to a 225/75 16 BF Goodrich Commercial TA and love them. I cannot answer your question about required space above the tires but I would think 4" to 6" would be plenty. We will be in your fair city this weekend going bring the grand kids to Sam Houston for the Fall Fest then next weekend DW & I have reservations there for 9 nights. I feel a lot more comfortable with my 16" American made tires instead of the 15" chinese firecrackers.
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside by Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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I forgot to mention that if you now have 225/75 15 going to 225/75 16 will only reduce the clearance above the tires by 1/2".
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JIMNLIN
Big Cabin, OK
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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Suspension blocks for a trailer isn't a good idea and is it recommended by trailer manufactures. Trailers tires side scrubbing adds much more stress to the trailers suspension and especially longer U bolts.
Are your springs on top of the axle ??
The last two 5ers (11200 GVWR and a 9800 GVWR) I've owned came with ST 225/7515 D tires. I don't use ST tires plus the D tires were marginal at best.
One trailer I added heavier/longer adjustable spring hangers to gain height. The other trailer I had a 2x2 inch square tubing added to the bottom of the main frame tubes for 2" more for clearance.
My present 5er has 2.5 to 3 inch clearance at the top of the tires. Both trailers had the standard leaf spring suspension.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach Linex
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er with two slides 16" BFG Commercial LTs
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jcnsull
Lake Charles, La. 70605
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Joined: 12/22/2004
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Thanks for the quick reply's. I have a Crossroads Cruiser 27 RL. I have added the Equa-flex system and Trailair pinbox because of the smooth Louisiana roads. The difference between the two tires was right at 1 inch per specs at the locale tire shop. I only have 2.5 inches of clearance from the bottom of the trailer now. TVMan44, We sometimes camp at Sam Houston and go to work from there. It gets us out of the house when we are out of vacation and can't travel far. JimnLin, my springs are top mounted. Did you weld new spring hangers to the frame? I didn't understand about mounting the tubing on the bottom of the frame, how did you do it and how does it add clearance.
Thanks again for the reply's.
James
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christopherglenn
a little over an hour from Yosemite
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the difference is 1 inch, but that is one inch between teh top and bottom. as in 1/2 inch on all sides, so the tire is 1/2 inch taller, raises the trailer 1/2 inch, and sticks 1/2 inch more to the front and rear. the width (225) is the same.
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Retired JSO
Florida
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Joined: 01/28/2009
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Most 16" tires with that aspect ratio run around 29 1/2" in diameter.
How Stuff Works Tire Size
and
Put you existing tire size in here and the new size for a comparison.
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hankpage
Point Pleasant
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Joined: 11/23/2001
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I went with 215/85/16e because my clearance problem was tire width on the slide mechanism. I still have almost 3" on top of tire.
Hank & Lynn
07 Cougar 290RKS 5er E-Z Flex + 16" XPS RIBS
04.5 Dodge 2500 HO CTD,QC,2wd,LWB,Prodigy, Ride-Rite 
REAL TRUCKS RATTLE
Our getaway vehicle
'07 Cougar mods.
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greg0rn
Republic of Vancouver Island
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Joined: 11/03/2004
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Do not neglect axle separation neither. This one is easy. Just measure from center to center. Ideally, it should be at least 33".
Greg, Shirley, Misha (the dog)
2006 1 ton Dodge with CTD, SRW, extended cab, 4x2, short box, 3.73 LSD, J-brake, Superglide hitch, Prodigy controller, Line-x, Pressure-Pro.
2004 Citation Supreme 26RKS 5th wheel
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