Upsizing To 14 Inch Wheels on Jayco 197 Travel Trailer

Updated 03/26/2021 | Published 03/24/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Dexstar Steel Spoke Trailer Wheel - 14" x 5-1/2" Rim - 5 on 4-1/2 - White Powder Coat

(2500)

$53.69

Dexstar Steel Spoke Trailer Wheel - 14" x 5-1/2" Rim - 5 on 4-1/2 - Black Powder Coat

(2500)

$73.57

Question:

I own a Jayco 197 travel trailer that uses 185/80R13 tires. Since I cant buy Good Year Endurance tires in that size, Would it fit if I changed to a 14 wheel and bought the lowest profile E tire?

asked by: Steve H

Expert Reply:

The Taskmaster Provider ST215/75R14 Load Range D Item # TTWTRTM2157514D tire measures 8.5 inches wide by 27 in diameter while the typical ST185/80-13 tire is 7.24 inches in width by 24.64 in diameter.

By going with a 14 inch wheel and using the # TTWTRTM2157514D 215/75-14 load range D tire, you'd move the tire sidewall about 5/8 inches closer to the trailer frame inboard and would move the tread about 1 inch closer to the underside of the fender or wheel well. With the trailer at load, you wouldn't want to see any less than 3 inches of clearance between the top of the tire and the underside of the wheel well or fender to allow for suspension articulation without the tire bottoming out.

If you find you have enough clearance, we don't offer the tire mounted on a wheel, but you could simply purchase the wheel and tire separately and have them mounted locally. For a basic white powder coated spoked wheel, the Dexstar # AM20352 14 x 5-1/2 wheel would be a good choice. To dress things up a little, you could go with a black powder coated wheel like the Dexstar # AM20353 spoked wheel. For an aluminum wheel, I'd recommend the Lion's Head # LH84FR Liger trailer wheel.

I've linked to some product description videos that you might find helpful.

expert reply by: Mike L