Spare Carrier mods-14"to 15" upgrade?

[vlaming]

Time to stop lurking.

Picked up a '13 FC 23FB last summer, with original 14" Marathons. After cruising the forums here, elected to move to 15" Sendel T03s with 235/75x15 Mich LTXs, and Dill 1506-453 TPMS. Wheels/TPMS on order. Tires to follow.

Mixed perspectives on the spare tire carrier needing to be modified. I recall the fixes range from nothing-just barely fits with a little grunting; bend the front retaining arms out a few inches; to fabbing longer pivot arms in the rear. Experiences?

Also, I recall 44psi has been recommended as cold pressure with these tires, as opposed to max inflation 50psi.

Thanks, all!

[GettinAway]

Following along. I have the wheels, but haven't bought tires yet. I was actually going to leave the spare at 14". Just use it like a space saver spare on a car. Have it on the ground long enough to get to the next tire store. I only ordered 4 of the Sendel wheels.

[tinbender]

Originally Posted by vlaming

Mixed perspectives on the spare tire carrier needing to be modified. I recall the fixes range from nothing-just barely fits with a little grunting; bend the front retaining arms out a few inches; to fabbing longer pivot arms in the rear. Experiences?

Did this mod last summer. Extended the length of the front retaining arm on the curb side by welding in about 2 in. of new metal. Works great, nothing else had to be done to mine. The spare rack is not hard to drop to do this mod.
I changed everything out to 15", including the spare.

Good luck....

[JamuJoe]

Originally Posted by vlaming

Time to stop lurking.

Picked up a '13 FC 23FB last summer, with original 14" Marathons. After cruising the forums here, elected to move to 15" Sendel T03s with 235/75x15 Mich LTXs, and Dill 1506-453 TPMS. Wheels/TPMS on order. Tires to follow.

Mixed perspectives on the spare tire carrier needing to be modified. I recall the fixes range from nothing-just barely fits with a little grunting; bend the front retaining arms out a few inches; to fabbing longer pivot arms in the rear. Experiences?

Also, I recall 44psi has been recommended as cold pressure with these tires, as opposed to max inflation 50psi.

Thanks, all!

I upgraded to 235/75x15 Mich LTXs on our 2011 FC23FB four years and about 30K miles ago. Entirely satisfied. Kept the 14" spare until I had to use it for a 60 mile run after a road hazard blowout. Rolled just fine. Later replaced the spare as well, and the 15" fit the spare holder without mods. That said, I hate that miserable spare holder! I run 50 psi cold and use the external TST TPMS on metal valve stems.

[Johnnyooo]

I changed the 14" sendel wheels and marathon tires, to 15" sendel wheels with Michelin LTX DEFENDER TIRES. New wheel and tire for the spare as well...Had to bend one arm on the spare tire holder to get the new 15" wheel and tire in ...No trouble at all fitting it in ...

[vlaming]

Thanks for the replies. Have the wheels/tires/tpms put together and stacked up in the house. Waiting on a good weather day to make the swap.

[bwoodtx]

Originally Posted by vlaming

Thanks for the replies. Have the wheels/tires/tpms put together and stacked up in the house. Waiting on a good weather day to make the swap.

Don't forget to torque the wheels, tow it about 20 miles and retorque.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by vlaming

Time to stop lurking.

Picked up a '13 FC 23FB last summer, with original 14" Marathons. After cruising the forums here, elected to move to 15" Sendel T03s with 235/75x15 Mich LTXs, and Dill 1506-453 TPMS. Wheels/TPMS on order. Tires to follow.

Mixed perspectives on the spare tire carrier needing to be modified. I recall the fixes range from nothing-just barely fits with a little grunting; bend the front retaining arms out a few inches; to fabbing longer pivot arms in the rear. Experiences?

Also, I recall 44psi has been recommended as cold pressure with these tires, as opposed to max inflation 50psi.

Thanks, all!

Since you got the "P" version of LTX, don't forget to de-rate the load capacity when using your passenger tires in trailer application/

Actual capacity = tire numbers/1.1