Blowout/Tire Separation - Page 2

MrGallegos · 10-27-2021, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill

Tire failures seem to be overwhelmingly due to under-pressure. ...

These tires are adequate, but don't have a lot of load-bearing margin. So you need to be conscious of weight as you pack. A lot of folks have changed to 15-inch tires to increase the margin. ....

Hope this helps

Bill

Yes, that helps, thank you. What is all involved to change to 15 in. tires, is it just a tire change or a bigger job, such as change in axel, brakes, etc.?

The TT is at the dealer and now would be a good time to have them do any installs and major modifications.

**rickst29** · 10-27-2021, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrGallegos

Yes, that helps, thank you. What is all involved to change to 15 in. tires, is it just a tire change or a bigger job, such as change in axel, brakes, etc.?

The TT is at the dealer and now would be a good time to have them do any installs and major modifications.

Unfortunately, the change to 15" wheels/tires also requires that the "lift kit" be installed, so that the tire tread does not contact the wheel well during bumps. Installing the lift kit is pretty easy, but the part must be ordered from the factory.

Goodyear, IIRC, also offers their tire in a "Load Range D" 65 PSI version for 14" rims, that's another alternative to consider. But you might want to upgrade those rims anyway (even if staying at 14"), for better load capacity than the OEM rims provided.

And new rims might look better, too

Larryjb · 10-27-2021, 01:12 PM

Your trailer may already have a lift kit installed. Mine already had the lift kit so upgrading to 15" wheels was super easy.

(oh yeah, don't forget to upgrade the spare!)

**Bill** · 10-27-2021, 08:23 PM

If you change tire sizes, you will need a new 15" wheel with the same lug pattern, of course. The pattern is called "5 on 4-1/2", and it is very common. Be sure it is rated for at least 65 psi.

For lift kit installation, check out Bill Miller's article in the TM Tech Library

https://www.trailmanorowners.com/for...ad.php?t=12132

Strictly speaking, if you are upgrading the tire size, you don't have to upgrade the spare. If you have a flat and need to put on the spare, you probably won't be traveling very far before you want to fix the flat. Driving without a spare is unnerving, to me anyway. The TM has no problem with mixed tire sizes, so if you have a good 14-inch tire and wheel, you can save the cost of replacing them. One other advantage? Although a 15 inch spare will fit on the rack intended for a 14 incher, it is quite difficult to lift the rack into place.

Bill

MrGallegos · 12-15-2021, 11:05 AM

Here is an update, I have ST215/75R14 tires and they look in very good condition, but I need to confirm the year of manufacture.

Also the TM has a lift kit already installed.

**Bill** · 12-15-2021, 12:11 PM

The manufacturing date is molded into the sidewall of the tire. Look for the letters "DOT" followed by a sequence of 10 or 12 numbers. The last four numbers in this sequence are the date code - two digit week, followed by two digit year.

Bill

Shane826 · 12-15-2021, 03:30 PM

To add to what Bill said about the tire date… The 4 digit code will also be in a separate oval from the rest of the DOT, and it may only be stamped on one side depending on the tire manufacturer. So you may have to crawl under the trailer to find the tire date.

**commodor47** · 12-15-2021, 05:21 PM

Check the thumbnail for my tire; code 2820 means week 28 of the year 2020.
Dick

MrGallegos · 12-17-2021, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane826

To add to what Bill said about the tire date… The 4 digit code will also be in a separate oval from the rest of the DOT, and it may only be stamped on one side depending on the tire manufacturer. So you may have to crawl under the trailer to find the tire date.

Thanks, I found it. My tires were made in 2016. They appear to be in very good shape, with little wear, they look almost new, but they are 5 years old.

**Bill** · 12-17-2021, 11:36 AM

Conventional wisdom - including from tire experts - says that 5 years is about all you can expect from trailer tires. Appearance is not a good incidcator, and it is common for good-looking tires to fail. Just ask me - I have done it several times.

I would suggest that you rummage around the Internet for info specific to trailer tires. Roger Marble is a good source, since he has no ax to grind. By contrast, tire manufacturers will either tell you that their tires last a long time, or they may avoid the issue entirely - they want you to buy their tires. And tire shops may overhype the problem, for the same reason - they want you to buy new tires from them.

So take my comments with a grain of salt - but do your own research to confirm or deny it.

Bill