Upgrading to Larger Tires on a 5th Wheel Trailer that Keeps Having Blowouts

Updated 06/20/2018 | Published 06/18/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Trailer Axle w/ Electric Brakes - E-Z Lube - 8 on 6-1/2 Bolt Pattern - 94" - 7,000 lbs

(231)

$948.19

Provider ST235/80R16 Radial Trailer Tire w/ 16" White Mod Wheel - 6 on 5-1/2 - LR E

(1135)

$270.47

Question:

I have a 2012 Fifth wheel with 5200 lb. Lippert Axles. I have had three blowouts on the highway since buying it new. I upgraded to Load Range E tires after the first problem. I purchased and use a TPMS I bought from your company. I monitor my tires like Im paranoid. Still had a blowout last Friday. I want to upgrade to a higher quality, higher load range tire, but my axle is for six lug 15inch wheels. It seems the serious fifth wheel tires are 16. I am frustrated to the point of considering replacing the axles with 7000 lb. 8 lug wheels and tires. Is this a realistic solution? Is it simply a matter of unbolting, rebolting the u-bolts, and re-wiring the brakes? What about axle alignment?

asked by: Mike B

Helpful Expert Reply:

There are 16 inch wheels with the 6 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern that can be used with your 5,200 pound axles. Hubs for 15 inch wheels are also compatible with 16 inch wheels. You just have to make sure that you have enough clearance all around the existing tires to go to the larger size.

Tire and wheel combo # TA39VR is a 235/80-16 that is 9.25 inches wide and 30.79 inches tall. This combo is rated for 3,520 pounds at 80 psi so 2 of them on an axle will provide 7,540 pounds capacity. Assuming they are inflated to the max psi of 80 AND the larger size fits in place of your existing tires this would be the way to go.

Changing out the axles should be a last resort because that is a major project and involves more than just replacing axles. Other things would also have to be replaced; mostly suspension components.

expert reply by: Michael H