Upgrading to Larger Tires for Off-Road Use on a Coachmen Popup Camper

Updated 01/17/2022 | Published 01/15/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Karrier ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire w/ 14" White Spoke Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range D

(1493)

$188.19

Kenda Karrier S-Trail ST145/R12 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range E

(566)

$72.63

Kenda Karrier ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire with 14" Black Mod Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - LR C

(2799)

$167.81

Question:

We have a small Coachmen popup thats great for national forest sites. Flipped the axle to help with ground clearance on some of the less maintained roads. Is there any benefit to larger tires? Its currently on Karrier Load-Star ST145R12 tires and they seem to work well. They are stamped 95M for load index/speed rating and the benefit with larger tires seems to be minimal if at all. We have the vertical clearance with the axle flip and its a wide axle and there is horizontal room in the wheel well. Just dont know if bigger and wider tires would be better on minimally maintained dirt roads with some ruts and some possible poorly maintained trailsfoot to campsites. Im more than happy with the current set - just unsure if its appropriate for our backwoods adventures and if bigger tires would make any difference. Thank you.

asked by: Shawn T

Expert Reply:

Thanks for the picture! There is going to be a noticeable benefit to having larger tires on dirt roads that are poorly maintained. The larger tires will give you a wider footprint by almost 30% which translates to more stability and grip. The Kenda Karrier S-Trail ST145/R12 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range E item # AM10140 is 5.71 inches wide the Kenda Karrier ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire w/ 14" White Spoke Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range D item # AM32161 you were looking at are 8.07 inches wide. If you have the room and clearance I recommend upgrading your wheels and tires. The Kenda Karrier ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire with 14" Black Mod Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - LR C item # AM32131 would be a great choice and the black rims would match what you currently have on your camper.

expert reply by: Jerred H