Posted 2011-09-29 8:33 AM (#137918) Subject: Hello and questions
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Colorado
First of all would like to say hello as this is my first post. Been lurking for a while. Lots of good information on this forum.
Just bought a 1993 Trails West 3 horse slant gooseneck with a 4 foot shortwall. Finally located the tire tag and it is so faded that it looks blank. Contacted Trails West and didn't get much help other then I have 5200# axels.
Looking for approximate weight. Trailer currently has 15" tires and I would like to upgrade to 16". Looks like I have plety of room inside the fenders. How much height could I gain this way? Towing with a 2007 GMC 2500HD and would like to gain some bedrail clearance. Trailer has leaf springs.
Posted 2011-09-29 11:11 AM (#137924 - in reply to #137918) Subject: RE: Hello and questions
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447 Location: cedar rapids iowa
My guess is if you go from 15" to 16" you will only gain 1/2", doesn't seem worth the cost to me. A higher profile tire might get you the same results woth out buying new rims. If you need to gain more height you may need to raise the frame of the trailer.
Posted 2011-09-30 4:56 PM (#137967 - in reply to #137918) Subject: RE: Hello and questions
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Most of the tire manufactures have websites that list the tire specs. By looking at your current and proposed new tire sizes, You can see how much taller a given tire will be. 1/2 of that increase will be above and 1/2 will be below the axle.
The rim size isn't as much the factor as the profile size of the tire.
For Example
LT235/75R15 = 28.8" in diameter Rated at 1985 lbs per tire
LT225/75R16 = 29.3" in diameter 1/2" bigger
LT235/85R16= 31.8" in diameter 3" bigger Rated at 3042 lbs per tire
The LT235/85R16 is 3" taller than the LT235/75R15 So it would increase your trailers ride height by 1.5" You would also need the extra 1.5" of space between the axle and the fender to install this tire.
The advantage of going to a 16" is that you have a broader selection of heavier duty tires.
Hello and questions
