tires 13 vs 14 inches

[x2uol]

Hi,
What are the pro and cons of changing 13 inches tires for 14 inches?
What dimention is needed ex; 185-65 14
or bigger?
thanks

[Thomas G.]

1. Wheel well clearance.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by x2uol

Hi,
What are the pro and cons of changing 13 inches tires for 14 inches?
What dimention is needed ex; 185-65 14
or bigger?
thanks

Tire Size Calculator - Discount Tire Direct

[arlon]

Pro 14"
You can easily get a D rated truck tire in 14" but much harder to get in 13".
More load capacity available
Higher speed ratings
Better selection of what ever kind of tire you choose
Better availability in small towns when you blow your trailer tire.
Run cooler
More ground clearance (assuming a taller tire)
Probably wear better..

Cons of 14":
Have to buy new rims
Simply may not fit (more effort figuring out what will and won't fit)
Cost more

[David Tilston]

On my Trillium I use ST205/75R14 tires on 14" Ford Ranger Rims. I like the look.

[rabbit]

Arlon says it all. Additional ground clearance is often times mentioned as a reason to go to the larger rim and tire. This is of very little consequence as a 1" on average increase in diameter translates to only a half inch additional ground to frame height. The increase in load rating is of much greater--and frequently crucial--significance for a case in which the trailer manufacturer has chosen a tire which has barely adequate load capacity for the curb weight of the trailer.

jack

[SharonM]

Jack, I need new tires soon -- how do these look?

Loadstar ST185/80D13 Bias Trailer Tire with 13" White Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range D Kenda Tires and Wheels AM3S331

I'd get the new rims cuz I want something nice looking.

PS: I have a 2011 Scamp 16 Standard. The D load range on these allows a little over 3200 pounds trailer weight and I can't imagine exceeding that (but who knows).

[rabbit]

Sharon, 3450lb combined load capacity isn't a tremendous safety margin over your projected 3200 trailer weight but over is sure better than short of the total load. I've never had bias ply tires except on a utility trailer (f78-15 or equivalent new money) so I don't know enuf about the differences to comment. Odd that never stopped me in the past? Off to twist the cap off a Spoetzel Wild Hare.

jack

[Radar1]

Sharon, I had those same Loadstar D rated tires on my 16. I've previously had good luck with Loadstars, but last year one of them developed a huge bubble on the inside. Didn't blow, but I had to take it off and put my spare on, which meant I was without a spare for the rest of the trip. Normally I would just stop somewhere and get another spare, but you will find that the chance of finding a 13" D rated tire in stock, especially on a weekend, is about nil.
I still have faith in Loadstars, but decided when we got home to buy a set of the 14" C rated Loadstar tires and put them on, since you can find those stocked in most stores if you need to replace one on short notice. The 14" C rated tires also have more capacity than the 13" D rated tires, which is good if you have the side dinette, since the sink side carries more than half of the load. If you have access to the Scamper forum you can see some photos of the upgrade.
http://tinyurl.com/ctw3hoq
I was prepared to do some trimming of the fiberglass but after adding the larger tires they fit with no problems. (The picture looks closer than it really is, and the tire pivots in an arc when traveling rather than straight up and down) That doesn't mean that they would work without trimming on yours, but I was lucky :-)

Good luck in whatever you choose.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by SharonM

-- how do these look?

Loadstar ST185/80D13 Bias Trailer Tire with 13" White Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range D Kenda Tires and Wheels AM3S331

They look like bias-ply tires. If that's what you want, I suppose that's fine.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by SharonM

I have a 2011 Scamp 16 Standard. The D load range on these allows a little over 3200 pounds trailer weight and I can't imagine exceeding that (but who knows).

Sharon, did you intend the 3200 pound value to be the capacity of the tires, or the weight of the Scamp? Jack has noticed that the combined maximum capacity is 3450 pounds and seems to be thinking that 3200 pounds is what you expect the Scamp to weigh:

Originally Posted by rabbit

Sharon, 3450lb combined load capacity isn't a tremendous safety margin over your projected 3200 trailer weight...

[SharonM]

Okay fellas, ty for the input. I shall spring for 14's -- etrailer has nice prices, and I just got back from H&R Block and my refund will cover 3 14 inchers. I hate having to buy a spare cuz of cash outlay, but I'd hate even more to be on the road (fulltiming) and get a flat with no spare. Now then... you smarties, which is the best 14" to get?

Radar, think I oughta think seriously about those C rated Loadsters you got? I would LOVE not to have to trim the fiberglass since I don't have a clue how to do that (yet). Heck, I still haven't gotten up the courage to use my lovely new rivet gun (grin). I have the side bath and front couch, don't know how that distributes weight differently from the side dinette.

Which reminds me... I want to buy 2 AGM batteries to stick under the couch all the way towards the tongue for my solar hookup when that day comes (or would one be enough do you all think). I won't have much loot at all for campgrounds so lots of boondocking in my future. At around 60 pounds per battery (yellow top Optimas, I might get) and dual propane tanks, will that kill my tongue weight? I could get a 25-pound single fiberglass tank if that would help. Anyway, lots to think about that's not tire related, but I have to deal with these blasted tires first.

Sharon

[Radar1]

Sharon, Here's what I got.
Karrier ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire with 14" White Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range C Kenda Tires and Wheels AM32153

As for dual batteries under the front bunk, one may be enough if you don't have extended boondocking, two would be better if you have extended stays at boondock locations or do a lot of cold weather camping that would require the furnace fan to run a lot.
That would be a lot of weight, so check your tow vehicle recommendation for maximum tongue weight. My truck can handle a lot, but my Subaru is limited to a 200 lb tongue weight which takes some creative packing and would not be possible with dual tanks and dual batteries.
Your camper is better balanced than the side dinette models. The side dinettes end up with a lot of heavy items (fridge, water heater, awning, microwave, fresh water tank) on one side, so a 2400 lb side dinette camper might have 1400 lbs or more on one tire if water tanks are full.

[rabbit]

Sharon, I have been happy with the Goodyear Marathon ST205/75R14s on our Burro. It appears you won't have clearance problems in the wheel well as other Scamp owners have encountered none with this tire and a 14"wheel. I don't care for the idea of hacking away fiberglass.

jack

[SharonM]

John (radar) - I'm kind of loving those radials too, even tho a tad more expensive than the straight bias tires.

I tow with a 2012 nissan pathfinder sv. It tows 6000 pounds, but I don't know what hitch weight is best for it. Wonder where I can get that info... hmmm.

S.

[SharonM]

Let me see where we have those tires locally, Jack.

Hey, by the way -- those LED lights that you recommended (and got all shy about recommending?) -- well they work GREAT. I love the more yellowy glow of those versus the white white white of the others I also ordered. I'm keeping the white whites for backup tho. Anyway, so glad you're back to offering your opinions on stuff. I was very depressed that I'd made you mad and you'd back off. I'm one of those temperamental females (lmao).

S.

[arlon]

It's a spare, just use the 13" one you have. Unless the sparer is totally shot and wouldn't get you to the next town, I'd just keep it or the best one that's on the ground now. It wont matter to the trailer if one tire is a little taller than the other. If you are changing rims anyway, I might be inclined to try and tote a second spare around, especially if you are going to be doing a lot of boondocking. And a good 12 volt airpump.

[Brian B-P]

If even the best of the old tires needs replacement now, what will it be like if you ever need it?

Another approach to the spare is to buy that third wheel and tire, and rotate them just as you would on your car; once a year, maybe in the spring pre-season checkout, move the spare onto the axle, and the other tire with the most wear into the spare position. The set of tires will last longer by sharing the use (if tire we're is a factor in when you replace them), and if you need the spare it will be a good tire.

[rabbit]

Originally Posted by Sharon

I was very depressed that I'd made you mad and you'd back off.

I misinterpreted your frustration with the problems of fitting out a trailer as dissatisfaction with the proposed answers to your questions and a remarkable lack of gratitude to those who answered. The suggestion that you do your own research was way out of line. And some level of skepticism is always advisable on a public forum. I over-reacted. I apologize for doing so. Bygones?

jack

[ThomasE]

Sharon, I have those exact bias ply tires in 185/80-13 on my Burro, and they've been fine over the last 5000 miles. For the load range I needed, I had to get bias ply even though I'd prefer a radial. But, when I replace these tires, I probably will go up to a 205/75-14. My suggestion is to stick with sizes that are common for trailers, it's just easier in case you have to replace one on the road. My current size 185/80-13 is not common. The common ones are 175/80-13, 205/75-14, 205/75-15, 215/75-15.