Quote: All I did was move my springs from under the axel to the top of the axel. Gave me enough clearance to add 14" tires but 15's could have also fit.
I think I lucked-out with finding wheels that fit. Usually the hubs or entire axel would need to be changed for a 15" bolt pattern to fit.
Not necessarily so -- Just get a larger trailer wheel and tire from good tire place if you already have five-hole wheels. Might even find some nice galvanized wheels at marine place.
Be aware that trailer wheels and hubs are lug-centric, whereas automotive wheels are usually hub-centric, even though both use the same bolt pattern.
However, bigger wheels will mean less braking or more brake wear with the 7" brakes.
We used our old '04 Coleman Chesapeake in off road mode for many years without any decernable problems. By "off road", I mean I needed 4x4 to get enough traction to get our rig up the road. There's only so difficult of a road any of these rigs can take before you start dragging the hitch or the bumper. We had the axles flipped when new. But we kept the original tire size, which I remember as being pretty small (12" or 13").
I have an '04 Starcraft 11RT that I purchased very lightly used in May of 2005. We really like the extra carrying capacity of the cargo deck, but normally do not use it to it's capacity. Keep in mind that the heavy frame is really only up front on the single axle RT's, and that is to handle the extra tongue weight capacity - they are rated for 700 lbs. tongue weight, 3,500 (mine - now 4000) lbs. gross trailer weight. Add to that, they are expected to hande a rather concentrated load (i.e. ATV or motorcycles) in the short cargo deck, hence needing a pretty beefy frame and tongue in that area. I believe the tandem axle, highwall model - 36RT has a heavier frame all the way back, but those are 8,000 lb rated trailers, and have double the cargo/ATV deck area, and is 28' long closed.
There is one model, th 10RT that does not have the cargo deck - however it also does not have the casette toilet/shower.
My experience with the 11RT is that it is a very stable towing trailer, the large wheels/tires and shock absorbers make a lot of difference. I do tow it down dirt and desert roads/tracks and it does this VERY well, and the high ground clearance makes it possible to do it without crawling at a snails pace. I do not go down 4 wheel drive type roads or blaze trails with it. For one, I only tow with a 2WD Toyota Tundra PU, and for two, that would be rather harsh on the PUP - a lot of maintenace would be required if done regularly.
It is VERY easy to get it loaded very heavy in front. It starts out at 291 lbs. hitch weight (current model - mine was spec'd at 260 dry), and mine with 2 full propane and a group 27 battery on it, no water in the tank and the deck empty mine is 320, plus or minus a bit. If you go with full rated tongue weight and full trailer weight (700 lbs./3500 lbs. for mine) you end up with 20% on the tongue - a little high. Also it would require either a class 4 hitch system or a WD hitch. I personally would not like to try a WD hitch on the type of desert roads I use it on several times a year. Even with just food, extra water (mine is only a 10 gal tank, now they are 35 gal and thats a lot of weight right there) gear, and bicycles, it will lower the bumper on my Tundra with the TRD OffRoad package. I towed it for the first 2 1/2 years with a Ford E150 Van conversion, and I had to add air bags. It leveled things out, but you could tell it was overloaded. The Tundra does not end up overlaoded, and pulls it like it wasn't even there.
I would recommend these models to anyone who thought they wanted that style. It is really more about style than functionality, but there is some adde function there. If you want a PUP that will draw attention, these should be your choice - I have met and talked to a LOT of people by just having it. Starcraft has updated a lot of things to make them more suited for the perceived function. My camping buddy sold his Coleman Sea Pine and purchased a 2007 11RT. He tows it with a 4 Runner, but does not load the cargo deck very heavy. There are a lot of small but worthwile upgrades and changes between the two PUP's.
Sorry to go on so long. Hope this is useful info.
Jim & JoAnne
2007 Toyota Tundra Double Cab
2004 Starcraft 11RT
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