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Fordstream · 01-12-2006, 07:19 PM

Greetings from a new owner. I have a 2002 30'classic s/o. I have experienced 2 sidewall failures (likely as a result of damage in the trailers previous life). However I feel that the load rating on the 15" Goodyear Marathons is not adequate for the weights involved. Is there any reason why I would not move to a 16" wheel with a load range E trailer tire?

uwe · 01-12-2006, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordstream

Greetings from a new owner. I have a 2002 30'classic s/o. I have experienced 2 sidewall failures (likely as a result of damage in the trailers previous life). However I feel that the load rating on the 15" Goodyear Marathons is not adequate for the weights involved. Is there any reason why I would not move to a 16" wheel with a load range E trailer tire?

Welcome to the forums!

What load range tires do you have now? D?

I hear that going to 16" wheels and load range E tires works quite well. You have a lot more choices when you go tire shopping.
Some say you're only supposed to run ST rated tires on a trailer, though. I have seen many 5th wheels and massive non-Airstream trailers with 16" wheels and LRe truck tires. I imagine that it would make a nice combination.
There is at least one forum member, whose name escapes me right now, that has done this very same thing. He seems to be very happy with his choice.

davidz71 · 01-12-2006, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uwe

There is at least one forum member, whose name escapes me right now, that has done this very same thing. He seems to be very happy with his choice.

That would be Bob Thompson in Texas. He used American Racing "Outlaw" 16" rims and BF Goodrich TA Commercial tires with Centramatic balancers. I plan on doing the same thing when it is time to replace the Goodyear Marathon tires I have now.

Fordstream · 01-12-2006, 09:26 PM

Thanks for the reply...I currently have the Alcoa 15" with LR D Marathons.(factory issue). The Trailer grosses out over 9500# and that seems to be asking a lot of these tires.