Upgrading Trailer Tires to a Higher Load Rating Radial Type for Extra Safety Margin

Updated 01/20/2020 | Published 04/02/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Kenda ST205/75D14 Bias Trailer Tire w 14" White Spoke Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range C

(117)

$125.98

Loadstar ST205/75D14 Bias Trailer Tire - Load Range C

(3982)

$104.70

Question:

The wheels on my travel trailer are 14inch 5.5 - with st 205/75/14r load range c tires. Will most st 215/75/14r load range d tires fit these rims or should I stay with the original wheels. What I want to do is increase my reserve capacity not increase the load. The trailer loaded weights 6400lbs. Tires that Im looking at are the new Carlisle RH - Kuhmo 857 -Kendra Karrier LoadStar. Some of the tires like Kuhmo comes in a 205 size @ 2000 LB and so does the Kenda. My present tires are rated at 1760 x 4 =7040 #. I would greatly appreciate your suggestions and other alternatives. Upgrading wheels to 15s is not an option at the moment . Thanks.

asked by: Sam R

Expert Reply:

A tire of size 215/75-14 can be mounted to a 14-inch wheel with width of 5-1/2, 6, 6-1/2 or 7-inches. A narrower 205/75-14 tire can mount to many of these same wheel widths: 5-1/2, 6 or 6-1/2-inches.

Moving to a higher load-range rating will give you extra safety margin and it will also allow that heavier tire to run a little bit cooler under the same load than a lower-rated tire would.

The Kenda radial tire/wheel you referenced, part # AM3S455, is a great radial tire option (in Load range D) that will give you increased load capacity. This tire/wheel is rated for 1760-lbs maximum load at 50-psi. Your overall capacity margin would double per axle. The tire alone, no wheel, is available as part # AM1ST86.

You never want to mix tire types or sizes and you always want to be sure that all tires are inflated to their maximum psi rating as noted on the tire sidewall. A trailer tire can deliver its rated capacity ONLY when inflated to its maximum psi.

The series of linked articles will give you plenty of information to help you consider your best option.

expert reply by: Adam R

Grant L.

1/19/2020

I have a light weight 5th wheel with a GVWR of 8900 lbs. The load rating index on my OEM tires is 108 2205 lbs the manufacturer of the trailer recommends 65 psi. In order to get a little bit of lift to accommodate my truck I replaced the tires with a tire with a 121 load index 3197 lbs Are you saying that I should still run the new tires at 80 psi, which is the max listed on the sidewall. Wont that wear the center of the tire?

Jason S.

1/20/2020

You should always run ST trailer tires at the max psi rating on the tire. If your tires are run at their max psi, they will wear as they were designed to and anything under that would cause a premature breakdown resulting at times in a blowout. I've attached a couple articles to help.

Helpful Links

faq-questions-everyone-has-about-trailer-tires.aspx

faq-trailer-tire-frequently-asked-questions.aspx