After pulling out the Overlander last fall from its parking spot for the last 9 years, I knew replacement tires were in my near future. I had been looking for some good used 7.00-15 or 225/75R15 since I am trying to keep the budget in check as the renovation progresses. Unfortunately, good used tires in these sizes seem rarer than hen's teeth.
When I was poking around in my Dad's barn I found a set of 215/85R16 in load range E with a 2008 manufacture date and 6 to 8/32 tread remaining. I asked him about them and he said that they were the stock size tires for his Duramax dually. He had replaced them with all steel Michelins and said they were mine if they would fit.
This of course meant that my tire problem had just become a rim problem. Fortunately budget 16" trailer rims are easier to find than budget 15" tires. After watching craigslist a while, a set of Dexstar white spoke 3040 lb rated wheels part#017-243-XX came up for $100. They were OEM take-offs from a 2-year old 5th wheel in great shape.
Add a coat of silver paint and I thought they turned out pretty good. I still need center caps and may add a royal blue pin-stripe.
The 215/85R16's are just slightly taller (1/8") than the OEM size 7.00-15's. Note: this is comparing height to 7.00-15's with nearly full tread and 215/85R16's with just less than 1/2 tread. I would expect that comparing new tires, the 215/85R16 would be approximately 1/2" to 5/8" taller.
The tread is also a bit wider, but the tire section width appears to be a very close match. After researching this tire size, many replacement options are available in load range E with a few options in load range D.
Most of the 16" upgrades that I could find on this site used the 225/75R16 size, so I hope this helps if someone else is considering this size.
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