Can I Put 15" Tires On My Coachmen Apex 256BHS With ST205/75R14 Tires

Updated 08/13/2024 | Published 08/10/2024

Products Featured in This Question

Provider ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range C

(1094)

$132.94

Rambler ST205/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range D

(53)

$104.93

Question:

I just purchased my first travel trailer, a Coachmen Apex 256BHS. I want to replace all 4 tires before taking it out for the first time. Right now I have Castle Rock ST 205/75R14 load C tires on the camper. I would like to know if I could/should go to a 15inch wheel, or to a 225/75R14 and what tire would you recommend that would be best for my family. Thank you.

asked by: Jeremy A

Expert Reply:

Hello Jeremy. It may be possible to put larger 15" wheels on your Coachmen Apex 256BHS travel trailer. The big thing to keep in mind is the clearance in the wheel well/fender area. Our rule of thumb is that you want at least 3" between the tire and the fender, and at least 1" between the inside of the tire and the frame of the trailer.

The Castle Rock ST205/75R14 tires are about 8" wide and 26.14" in diameter. If we go up to a 15" tire like a ST205/75R15 they are about 8" wide and 27.13" in diameter. You can measure the fender area on your trailer and you should be able to get a pretty good idea if the larger tires will fit or not. As long as you still have enough room between the tire and the fender then you are good to upgrade.

For a ST205/75R15 tire I recommend the Rambler ST205/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range D # TA46GR. These tires have an 8 ply rating and a 2,150 lb max load rating at 65 PSI. They are rated for up to 81 mph so they are safe for long drives at highway speeds.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Jeremy A.

8/13/2024

Jesse, thank you for your response. After doing further research, I think I will stay with a 14" wheel to save on the cost of purchasing 5 additional wheels. By staying at my current wheel size, would you recommend going up to a 225/75/R14 or should I stay with the current size of a 205/75R14? I understand that a thicker tire would allow a higher weight rating, which I don't believe I need, and it also comes with adding weight per tire to the trailer.

Jesse M.

8/13/2024

@Jeremy A It sounds like you really don't need the higher weight capacity, so I recommend sticking with 205/75R14 that are on there currently. If anything just for sake of simplicity. If you want something a bit more durable than what you have now you can go with a load range D 8 ply rated tire. My recommendation is the Westlake ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire # 274-000012. If you need it mounted on a wheel take a look at part # 274-000053. This is a solver 5 on 4-1/2" steel wheel. We also have it on an Aluminum wheel part # WST57FR if you want something more fancy.