Tire replacement

[Cam A]

Time to replace the tires on my Triple E Surfside TM-14. Weight of trailer in the manual says 1600 pounds, so without weighing it, still more or less stock, lets say 1800 pounds. Right now it has P 155/80R13 radials. The sticker on the closet door says 650 13's were stock. I would like to move to ST tires. It appears to have the clearance to go to 175's instead of 155's. Are ST 175/80R13's available in Canada? Should I stay with the 155's that are on it? Opinions, please?

[peterh]

Time to replace the tires on my Triple E Surfside TM-14. Weight of trailer in the manual says 1600 pounds, so without weighing it, still more or less stock, lets say 1800 pounds. Right now it has P 155/80R13 radials. The sticker on the closet door says 650 13's were stock. I would like to move to ST tires. It appears to have the clearance to go to 175's instead of 155's. Are ST 175/80R13's available in Canada? Should I stay with the 155's that are on it? Opinions, please?

I weighed our new Surfside TM-14 and TV on my way home after we bought. The trailer didn't have water in it, but had many pots, pans and other odds-n-ends the prior owner didn't need anymore, plus a few things I added (sleeping bag, clothes, food, a propane heater) for the journey home.

I don't have the tongue weight, but the trailer axle was carrying 1480 lbs and I can pick the tongue up (with effort), making that around 250-300lbs. When properly loaded for a trip I'm guessing the trailer weight at 1850-1950lbs, 1650lbs or so of that on the trailer axle. Just look at the load rating printed on the side of the tire to figure out whether it can handle the load.

--Peter

[jim munson]

Just make sure you get LT (light truck) tires. The side walls are stiffer so as to combat lateral sway and heat. I had a passenger trailer tire totally disintergrate and damage the fiberglass badly.

[Pete Dumbleton]

Or ST (Special Trailer) tires designed for trailer use. Might be hard to find LT in small sizes. LTs to prevent sway effect is mostly for the TV when the trailer starts swinging around back there, however some BulgeMobile trailer pullers cite good experience. Dunno what the cost difference is, but I looked at LTs for previous truck and they were not only hard to find in 15" but very $$.

Some have been successful towing with P-radials on trailer, but they are few compared to those of us (me included) who found the experience to be way less than satisfactory. Give us some feedback on the difference between P-radials and the new tires, whatever they are, on your rig.

[Steve L.]

According to Tire and Rim Assn. guidelines, your P155/80R13's should carry 1743 pounds, axle (derated for trailer use). This size seems marginal.

ST175/80R13 B load range would carry 2200 pounds, C load range would carry 2730 per axle.

[Cam A]

According to Tire and Rim Assn. guidelines, your P155/80R13's should carry 1743 pounds, axle (derated for trailer use). This size seems marginal.

ST175/80R13 B load range would carry 2200 pounds, C load range would carry 2730 per axle.

Seems like the consensus is Goodyear Marathon ST175/80R13; I'm tempted to go for the C load range. Too stiff? Thanks to all for info.

[Tom Trostel]

I have used Goodyear Marathon ST175/80R13 C load rated on my Compact Jr for 3 years and approx. 15,000 miles with absolutely no problems. I'm very satisified with the ride, wear,etc. Thirteen inch trailer tire selection is very limited and I'm not aware of any 13" LT tires.

Tom Trostel

[Christi V.]

ST175/80R13 B load range would carry 2200 pounds, C load range would carry 2730 per axle.

does this B or C refer to the load that ithe trailer weight plus loaded? so the Scamp 5th wheel is 2000lb w/o options... so its best to get the C load range? not that I stuff my trailer with the house stuff... minimal items to go camping..

[Steve L.]

B or C is a tire descriptor and it refers to the tire's Load Range. A "B" load range tire's max inflation is 35 psi and a "C" load range tire's max. inflation is 50 psi.

Basically, it's the air that carries the load. The tire just holds the air in. The higher the max allowable pressure the stronger the tire has to be to hold the air in. A load range "B" tire could be cheaper but won't carry the load that a "C" load range tire will.

A given tire manufacturer might decide to make a ST175/80R13 B AND a ST175/80R13 C so that the consumer will only have to buy the tire they need. The customer just carrying around their lawn mower might only need the load capacity of the B and not want to spend the extra money for the C tire. Similarly, the trailer owner might have to buy the C in order to carry the load of their heavier trailer.

[Pete Dumbleton]

In addition to the Goodyears, I am also seeing Kumho mentioned by Casita owners and Maxxis mentioned by BulgeMobilers on other groups. Don't have any personal experience with either.

Christi, I would expect you would want at least Load Range D tires on you 5W. Ask the other 5W owners on Yahoo what they are using.

[Tom Trostel]

Kumho 857 are not available in 13". I'm not sure about Maxxis. Costco now sells Greenball ST175/80R13 ,C rated.

Tom Trostel

[DanPatWork]

We've been installing alot of these tires at the shop in the last couple of years with no complaints, or failures. They've been a low cost trailer tire that has provided good results with moderate to long term/high mileage wear. I installed the radials on our 88-16 Scamp.