WRONG FEET? 17.5 ft Bigfoot needs podiatrist

[Dave_L]

We're about to purchase a 1983 17 ft Bigfoot and the original tires & rims were replaced (was just parked, not towed),

Does anyone have the actual original rim & tire size for this trailer?

Kind regards, Dave

[Deb & Chuck]

We're about to purchase a 1983 17.5 ft Bigfoot and the original tires & rims were replaced and don't seem to fit very well (was just parked, not towed), is there a way to find the original &/or recommended rim & tire size for this trailer?

Kind regards, Dave

In 1983 that Bigfoot would be a 17 ft. not the 17.5. The 17.5 model didn't come out until much later. We previously owned a 1983 17 ft. Bigfoot and it had 14" tires, we put new 8 ply radials (185/R14) on it after we bought it. This tire is one that is used on VW camper vans and Toyota mini-motorhomes. Most tire stores will try to talk you into a 4 ply tire like a 185/75R14 or something similiar. We feel these are the best tires to have since you have a single axle particularly, is the 8 ply. 185/R14's ( 8 ply). At the same time you put the new tires and wheels on you should probably repack the bearings too. We like to be as safe as possible on the road.

[Donna D.]

My question is what do you mean by "don't seem to fit very well? ? Like really high, really low or lopsided?? Or are the tire widths too narrow or too wide??? Seems like Deb & Chuck gave you a pretty good start to to find the problem Others may pipe in too.

[Dave_L]

My question is what do you mean by "don't seem to fit very well? ?

Mismatched bald, one way oversized, the other too wide of rim/tire.Thus, need two new tires with OEM sizing as what is on there are obviously just "place holders" while it was parked, not sure where originals are.

[Dave_L]

In 1983 that Bigfoot would be a 17 ft. not the 17.5. The 17.5 model didn't come out until much later. We previously owned a 1983 17 ft. Bigfoot and it had 14" tires, we put new 8 ply radials (185/R14) on it after we bought it. This tire is one that is used on VW camper vans and Toyota mini-motorhomes. Most tire stores will try to talk you into a 4 ply tire like a 185/75R14 or something similiar. We feel these are the best tires to have since you have a single axle particularly, is the 8 ply. 185/R14's ( 8 ply). At the same time you put the new tires and wheels on you should probably repack the bearings too. We like to be as safe as possible on the road.

Thanks for the info D & C!

As for the bearings, yup, will do upon wheel swap...we had a Trillium prior to this.

[Dave_L]

Update: Original Tires were F78-14, so looks like I'll switch to an oversprung axel and go with 15" D rated tires.
Now, to find decent tires in Canada...