Replacement Tires for 2021 Jayco 184BS Travel Trailer

Updated 02/02/2021 | Published 01/28/2021

Products Featured in This Question

TireMinder Tire Pressure Gauge - Mechanical - Dual Head - 10 to 120 psi

(64)

$8.90

Provider ST225/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range E

(1101)

$184.97

Question:

The trailer has 215 75 15 goodyear tires rated at 2095 lbs at full inflation. The trailer is rated at 4300 GVWR. The dealer stated that the tongue weight 380 lbs is subtracted from the overall weight and the tires are the correct size for the trailer. I am planning to change the tires to 225 75 15 as I am uncomfortable being that close the limit. What is the real answer? Do I need to be concerned?

asked by: Paul M

Expert Reply:

Tongue weight for a convention tow travel trailer is 10% to 15% of total trailer weight. If you were to fully load your trailer to 100% of it's capacity (4300 pounds) then your tongue weight would be 430 to 645 pounds. That leaves 3655 to 3870 pounds riding on the axle, or 1827 to 1935 per tire. That's around an 8% margin to the good. That is sufficent for safe travel you do not need to change your tires. However, I am like you - I like having the odds stacked heavily in my favor. If you want a "beefier" tire you should look at the Provider # TR225LRE 10-ply rated radial. The stiffer sidewalls of a ST (Special Trailer) tire are favorable for trailers.

Having a blow out on a single axle trailer at highway speeds is a dangerous proposition. I recommend you check your pressure on each outing and inspect your tires well. If you find uneven wear you should have a service center diagnose the cause.

If it is in your budget a tire pressure monitoring system like the TireMinder # TPMS-TRL-2 system brings comfort to many users alerting them to over-heated tires or pressure loss in real time. You should also have a decent tire gauge on hand like the TireMinder # TMG-152-39 mechanical gauge.

Having a blow out on a single axle trailer at highway speeds is a dangerous proposition. I recommend you check your pressure on each outing and inspect your tires well. If you find uneven wear you should have a service center diagnose the cause.

If it is in your budget a tire pressure monitoring system like the TireMinder # TPMS-TRL-2 system brings comfort to many users alerting them to over-heated tires or pressure loss in real time. You should also have a decent tire gauge on hand like the TireMinder # TMG-152-39 mechanical gauge.

expert reply by: Les D