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Old 12-08-2022, 02:27 PM   #1
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16 Inch Rims and Tires

I'm seriously considering going to the 16" rim and Michelin tire package for our 2020 28 International Serenity. I spoke to a service rep at JC and he advised it is exactly the same package they put on the 30 and 33 Classics.
To be clear, we've taken quite a few trips in our rig and never had a problem or challenge with the 15" rims and Goodyear tires. They just look kinda small, it feels like the 16 inches would provide more stability and footprint.

Heres the Question - Are there any hitch implications or adjustments needed when you go to a slightly larger wheel?

Thanks -
Ed
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Old 12-08-2022, 02:50 PM   #2
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The larger rims do theoretically improve trailer cornering capability in some ways but this improvement can also increase tow vehicle oversteer tenancy and thus reduce system stability but only if your system is close to its performance limits. Thus performance considerations depend on your tow vehicle capability and your loading habits. In other words, for some systems it is useful for the trailer to slip laterally while cornering and the 15in wheels allow more slip.

As far as hitch considerations, the trailer coupler will be 1/2-3/4 inch higher so you should move the ball up the same unless the ball is higher than ideal currently. The slight change in geometry will have negligible effects on WD and other adjustments.
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Old 12-08-2022, 03:15 PM   #3
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16” wheels

Quote:
Originally Posted by etojeo View Post
I'm seriously considering going to the 16" rim and Michelin tire package for our 2020 28 International Serenity. I spoke to a service rep at JC and he advised it is exactly the same package they put on the 30 and 33 Classics.
To be clear, we've taken quite a few trips in our rig and never had a problem or challenge with the 15" rims and Goodyear tires. They just look kinda small, it feels like the 16 inches would provide more stability and footprint.

Heres the Question - Are there any hitch implications or adjustments needed when you go to a slightly larger wheel?

Thanks -
Ed

I put 16” wheels and Michelins on our 27’. Didn’t make any changes to my hitch but the trailer was a hair low in the back before so it’s perfect now.
I don’t notice any difference cornering. The extra height entering approaches (gas stations) is better for not dragging the rear of the trailer. I would recommend the 16’s
Good Luck
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Old 12-08-2022, 04:34 PM   #4
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Given the differences in tire slip and oversteer potential, I would wait to hear about the tow vehicle before making a recommendation.
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Old 12-08-2022, 05:40 PM   #5
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I would recommend 16” Sendel rims and Michelin XPS RIB tires….I upgraded

Here was my 15” Goodyear Endurance…..Guys at Discount Tire said never seen a tire do this…..
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Old 12-08-2022, 06:47 PM   #6
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In all fairness, it's best not to use a single failure to discredit a tire with an otherwise excellent on road experience without providing a forensic analysis of the failure cause and history of the specific tire (mileage, speed, load, inflation, etc.). Nor is it valid to implicate smaller rims over larger ones using a tire failure as the justification.
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Old 12-08-2022, 07:31 PM   #7
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We switched to 16” wheels and tires (Sendel Wheels, Michelin Agilis) prior to becoming full-time, and they have done very well. From Key West to Alaska, no issues at all. We made the change for two reasons. I felt that the larger wheel and high quality LT tires would be better for the miles we would be putting on (we did about 27K this year) and I really didn’t like the stock 15” wheels that came on our International.

We use a ProPride hitch and did not need to make any adjustments to our hitch setup. The trailer tracks straight and level, which it also did with the Goodyear Endurance.

With respect to overall trailer height, she sits about a half inch taller.
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Old 12-08-2022, 08:09 PM   #8
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Don’t forget the spare, and make sure it actually will fit with the “stock” holder.
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Old 12-08-2022, 09:59 PM   #9
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We went with the T03 in 16" at 6 bolt/5.5" in Black/Machined and the Michelin Agilis Crossclimates at the 225/75R16C (121/120R) size (get the right one with a higher load, there are 2).

https://m.tirerack.com/tires/tires.j...omCompare1=yes

https://trailersetgo.com/store/t03-1...-trailer-wheel


Trailer.Set.Go had great prices and free shipping.
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Old 12-09-2022, 04:43 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BayouBiker View Post
In all fairness, it's best not to use a single failure to discredit a tire with an otherwise excellent on road experience without providing a forensic analysis of the failure cause and history of the specific tire (mileage, speed, load, inflation, etc.). Nor is it valid to implicate smaller rims over larger ones using a tire failure as the justification.
Just Wow...for the record Ive had 3 sets of GYE on 2 different TT......
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Old 12-09-2022, 09:24 AM   #11
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We switched to 16” rims and Michelin tires years ago before the Goodyear Endurance tires were available. I don’t think we would have switched had they been available. However, the Michelin tires have been perfect. They never (and I really mean never) need to have the air pressure adjusted. They just don’t loose air ever. I do adjust the pressure for summer/winter conditions.
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Old 12-09-2022, 09:25 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BayouBiker View Post
The larger rims do theoretically improve trailer cornering capability in some ways but this improvement can also increase tow vehicle oversteer tenancy and thus reduce system stability but only if your system is close to its performance limits. Thus performance considerations depend on your tow vehicle capability and your loading habits. In other words, for some systems it is useful for the trailer to slip laterally while cornering and the 15in wheels allow more slip.

As far as hitch considerations, the trailer coupler will be 1/2-3/4 inch higher so you should move the ball up the same unless the ball is higher than ideal currently. The slight change in geometry will have negligible effects on WD and other adjustments.
Larger rims with lower profile tires will stiffen the sidewalls and make the trailer more responsive to both road surface inputs and TV direction change input. The lower profile tires will also pass more vibration to the trailer with less sidewall to absorb irregularities on the road surface. If you put similar sidewall size tires on the larger rims you will increase trailer height making the trailer it slightly less stable, make the ride smoother as the larger rolling radius smooths out smaller road bumps, make pulling the trailer easier, but will reduce trailer braking ability unless brakes are retuned or upgraded. Slight camber on the axle hubs will make the trailer handle better on corners but cause more wear on the insides of the tire tread. Everything is a balance with vehicles, you need to balance your needs with the practicality of physics to make an effective combination.

some relevant links:

https://www.parkmuffler.com/blog/low...pros-and-cons/

https://www.tyremarket.com/tyremantr...disadvantages/

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/t...-how-to-guide/

https://driving-tests.org/beginner-d...ith-a-trailer/

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/t...trailer.128911

https://vehq.com/are-bigger-tires-better-for-trailers/

https://www.thehulltruth.com/trucks-...e-trailer.html

https://www.trailer-bodybuilders.com...cians-can-help

https://www.hendrickson-intl.com/get...29ace/L579.pdf

https://www.researchgate.net/publica..._TRAILER_FRAME

https://www.lesschwab.com/article/tr...questions.html


https://www.happilyrv.com/improving-...gas-motorhome/

http://speed.academy/suspension-tuning-how-to/

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Old 12-09-2022, 10:43 AM   #13
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I switched to Michelin LT/225/75R16 tires on Ultra type 62 0" offset trailer wheels from Tire Rack in May 2016. Tire Rack includes new lug nuts and an excellent a dynamic balance job with wheel and tire packages.

These tires have been to Alaska and throughout Newfoundland (the worst roads in Canada in my opinion) with no issues. The return from Newfoundland included a week or so on Prince Edward Island using the Confederation Bridge to get there. The cross wind on the bridge for our return trip just below the 70 km/hr limit for vehicles over 7'2", and there was a lot of wind in Newfoundland. My rig always felt rock solid.

I replaced those tires with another set of Michelins at 40,000 miles last summer.

I'm towing with a GMC Duramax and Andersen hitch. I made no changes when I had the 16s installed.
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Old 12-09-2022, 11:14 AM   #14
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I have about one year left of my GYE tires. When I need new ones, I'll go with Sendel 16" and Michelins. I did that on our last Airstream, it was a 30' and our latest is a 25'. I'm not anxious to spend the money but I am anxious to get a 16" setup. Next will be a 3" lift kit.
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Old 12-09-2022, 11:24 AM   #15
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Hey, it's only money.
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Old 12-09-2022, 02:21 PM   #16
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I did the switch on our 2008 25' FB and then did a 10,000 mile trip this summer up to Alaska and then down to the Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico. It did raise the trailer about 2 inches and I did adjust my Equalizer Hitch. Never had a problem. The trailer pulled like a dream on the whole trip. I love the change and would do it again.
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Old 12-09-2022, 02:46 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BTCMUSN View Post
I would recommend 16” Sendel rims and Michelin XPS RIB tires….I upgraded.
I did the same and it is a very good if not necessary upgrade as far as I am concerned. I run them at 50PSI per the chart which results in a nice soft ride. I did move the hitch head up a hole but it was a bit low after the 3" lift was installed.
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Old 12-09-2022, 02:47 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dkoelfgen View Post
I put 16” wheels and Michelins on our 27’. Didn’t make any changes to my hitch but the trailer was a hair low in the back before so it’s perfect now.
I don’t notice any difference cornering. The extra height entering approaches (gas stations) is better for not dragging the rear of the trailer. I would recommend the 16’s
Good Luck
Me too on the same TT. I also went to the Rib Michelin for piece of mind relative to hot tows at a full load. Been running this set up for 10 years and on the second set of tires which notionall expired at 7 years with no wear, no incidents and no pressure loss even while standing for months..
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Old 12-09-2022, 03:00 PM   #19
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Goodyear Endurance are great tires...I'm on my 3rd set and very happy...many folks want/like the Michelin LT rated 16" truck tires...I used to run those when Micheline had them in 15" size, but not available anymore in that size. It's really up to you; as someone else said, "it's only money"! Both tires have good reputations here. Do what makes you happy, right?
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Old 12-09-2022, 05:23 PM   #20
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After a blowout with my 15" and Goodyears, I switched to the 16" and Michelin Agillis Crosclimate 225/75R16C. The C-metric has a larger load capacity than the LT Crossclimate. Also has a directional tread pattern.

I went with the Lionshead Bearcat https://lionsheadtireandwheel.com/Be...Aluminum-Wheel
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