One more time on tire upgrade

[SharonM]

I'm guilt-ridden asking this again, and my "search" which lasted 20 minutes didn't give me the answer I need, although I KNOW I read the answer previously

I have a 16' 2011 Scamp, going from 13" to 14" tires. I am quite certain it will not be a problem as many have pointed out their success. A "quick measure" is to use one's fingers to check for spacing while the 13's are still on. Please if someone remembers what I've forgotten -- what is the space that should be above and behind the tire in approximate inches to know for (almost) certain that 14's will fit nicely.

Thanks all.

Sharon

[Brian B-P]

The largest common 13" ST tire has a width of 185 mm; the smallest common 14" ST tire has a width of 205 mm. The difference of 20 millimetres means that each side needs 10mm (almost 1/2") more clearance than needed for suspension movement and tire distortion while cornering.

The overall radius of these sizes (185/80R13 and 205/75R14) can be similarly compared to determine how much room around the periphery of the tire will be used up by the larger size.

[Roy in TO]

Sharon,
There are charts on the internet that will show you the diameter and width of the various sized and profiled tires. I posted a picture earlier that shows the difference in size of 3 different 13" tires here: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...tml#post168308
You will see the problem in trying to get a good answer on 13" vs 14" if there is such a variation in my tires.

[SharonM]

Thx Brian, Roy.

Somewhere on here I read that if you can get x number of fingers between tire top and trailer bottom, and x number of fingers between back of tire and something else while the 13's are on, then you know the 14's (like Rabbit/Jack has) will fit fine. I cannot find that blasted post.

Sharon

[Donna D.]

I'm not going to be much help since I've got 15" tires on my Scamp, but I can tell you that 205s fit (width) in the wheel well. I'm running ST205/75 R15.

[SharonM]

Sounds good Donna. I'll get the ST205/75 R14. It'll work, I just know it.

S.

[Gilda]

Pardon my ignorance. Why does one put larger tires on their trailer?

[SharonM]

In my case Gilda: (1) I want easy access to tires while on the road, and 13's are not common, and (2) I want to comfortably carry maximum weight since I'll be fulltiming in my 16' Scamp when the house sells.

Sharon

[rabbit]

Higher load capacity is another reason. Jack knows nothing of Scamp wheel wells, Sharon. Donna's success with 15s suggests that 14s should absolutely work. And you have a practically new trailer which would indicate an axle which isn't decreasing original clearances. No worries.

jack