tires for Scamp 13 1989

[Leni Saynisch]

Hello all you happy Scampers and others!

Need new tires for my Scamp. Any difference between ST185/80R 13 and ST175/80R 13 as to performance? Any other suggestions for different tires? How much can I expect to pay for them?

Thanks so much!

Leni

[Tom Trostel]

Leni,
The following specs are for Goodyear Marathons. 175/80/13 comes in B (1100 lbs) and C (1360 lbs) load ratings. 185/80/13 comes in C (1480 lbs) load rating. Prices appear to be in the $50-$60 range. Tom Trostel

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...yes&place=0

[Gina D.]

I have the 185/r13s on mine. The trailer sits a bit higher than with the 175s.

Wether this has anything to do with anything, I don't know.

[Leni Saynisch]

I have the 185/r13s on mine. The trailer sits a bit higher than with the 175s.

Wether this has anything to do with anything, I don't know.

Thanks very much Gina,

You said the 185s make the trailer sit a little higher, do you think that would affect the clearance between the top of the tire and the underside of the trailer?.

Thanks!

Leni

[Leni Saynisch]

Leni,
The following specs are for Goodyear Marathons. 175/80/13 comes in B (1100 lbs) and C (1360 lbs) load ratings. 185/80/13 comes in C (1480 lbs) load rating. Prices appear to be in the $50-$60 range. Tom Trostel

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...yes&place=0

Hi Tom,
Thanks for the info, especially the link to the Tire Rack - I learned a lot from that!

Thanks again!

Leni

[Gina D.]

Yes, it would. Best to check your clearance now and figure in how much more they would take up.

In my case it was not an issue. My axle has either been replaced or has an incredibly long lifespan.

It really isn't that much of a lift, but it is noticable.

[terryjeffers]

Hi Leni,

I also replaced the old 175 80R13 with the 185 80R13. After carefully measuring the old tires with the specs for the new I felt that it would give my camper a desired height increase of about 1.25". Also the tire was slightly more wide on the rim. I didn't think that it would be too much of an issue. I took the old tires and rims in to have them changed out to the newer tires. However, when I went to install them back on the camper, I discovered that they would not slip up inside the wheel-well. After a closer look found that the wheel bearing cover was sticking out way too far for the wheel to be reinstalled. Popped them off and the wheel went right up in the well and installed fine. Then popped the covers back on. This will add a little inconvenience to changing a tire but the added height is worth it to me.

Terry

[Andrew Gibbens]

You said the 185s make the trailer sit a little higher, do you think that would affect the clearance between the top of the tire and the underside of the trailer?

Goodyear's Marathon web page says that the 175 is 24.0" diameter and the 185 is 24.7", so you would expect the top to be 0.35" higher.

The change in Static Loaded Radius (distance from hub center to ground) is 0.2" greater, so that's how much higher you can expect the trailer to ride, if you used the same tire pressure in both sizes.

Andrew

[terryjeffers]

Goodyear's Marathon web page says that the 175 is 24.0" diameter and the 185 is 24.7", so you would expect the top to be 0.35" higher.

The change in Static Loaded Radius (distance from hub center to ground) is 0.2" greater, so that's how much higher you can expect the trailer to ride, if you used the same tire pressure in both sizes.

Andrew

However, if the old tires are extremely worn like mine were (and 20+ years old) there will be more of a difference in height than .35"

Terry

[Leni Saynisch]

Hi Leni,

I also replaced the old 175 80R13 with the 185 80R13. After carefully measuring the old tires with the specs for the new I felt that it would give my camper a desired height increase of about 1.25". Also the tire was slightly more wide on the rim. I didn't think that it would be too much of an issue. I took the old tires and rims in to have them changed out to the newer tires. However, when I went to install them back on the camper, I discovered that they would not slip up inside the wheel-well. After a closer look found that the wheel bearing cover was sticking out way too far for the wheel to be reinstalled. Popped them off and the wheel went right up in the well and installed fine. Then popped the covers back on. This will add a little inconvenience to changing a tire but the added height is worth it to me.

Terry

Thanks for the warning, it must have been frustrating when you discovered the tires didn't fit back into the wheel well. I'll take that into consideration. The tires that are on the Scamp now - I don't know how old they are - look pretty good, but they are regular car tires according to my son. I have pulled the Scamp several hundred miles with them and had no problems, but I think after reading all the posts, it's time to replace them. Thanks for responding!

Happy Camping!

Leni

[Leni Saynisch]

Yes, it would. Best to check your clearance now and figure in how much more they would take up.

In my case it was not an issue. My axle has either been replaced or has an incredibly long lifespan.

It really isn't that much of a lift, but it is noticable.

I don't know if my axle has been replaced, so I will do some further checking! Thanks for your replies and happy camping!

Leni

[Leni Saynisch]

Goodyear's Marathon web page says that the 175 is 24.0" diameter and the 185 is 24.7", so you would expect the top to be 0.35" higher.

The change in Static Loaded Radius (distance from hub center to ground) is 0.2" greater, so that's how much higher you can expect the trailer to ride, if you used the same tire pressure in both sizes.

Andrew

Thanks for the info, I'll take that all into consideration and thanks for responding!

Happy Camping

Leni

[Don Meyer]

Thanks for the info, I'll take that all into consideration and thanks for responding!

Happy Camping

Leni

Beware of Goodyear Marathon tires...they are prone to blow-outs. Goodyear carries a Korean tire that is better at a lot less money....Don meyer

[davidlebrun]

Everybody, should keep in mind, that a tire only has a life span of
about 5 years. New tires are cheap insurance, when heading out for
a long trip.

I've come to this conculsion based upon my motorcycle trips, the tires
are costly, $250/pair plus mounting. Replaced them whenever their down
to the wear bar, or earlier, and haven't had a problem in the last 10 years.

This includes many cross country rides and one four corner tour.

david