Max tire/wheel size for 2003 2720

[TM Pilot]

I pulled my spare TM Factory 14" tire off the trailer, popped the beads on the Goodyear Marathon tire, and inspected the interior of the rim.

There are no markings on the interior of my rim.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the exterior of my rim are the following markings (see picture #1):
DOTT14x6JJ0905MAX.1870LBS BW/JCA CHINA

Translation:

DOT: Department of Transportation;
T: The Tire and Rim Association
14X6: Size of Rim in Inches
JJ: Rim Contour Designation/Bead Profile
0905: Date of Manufacture (Sep 2005)
Max.1870lbs: Maximum Weight
BW/JCA: Manufacturer. BW - Unknown; JCA - JCA Corporation??? http://www.jcacorp.com/
CHINA: Country where Manufactured

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interesting to note that the rim has a welded seam that runs the entire 7" width of the rim (see picture #2). Talked with Ed in the service dept at Trailmanor about my 14" rims. He said that TM didn't buy separate rims and tires and put it all together at the factory. Instead they bought the rim and tires already put together & balanced from a local Goodyear dealer. So he didn't have any info about the rims other than what's stamped on them.

Additional info I have is:
- Bolt Pattern: 5 on 4.5"
- Offset: 0
- Backspace: 3.5"
- Center Bore: 3.3"


I'm going to try to give JCA Corporation a call tomorrow to see if they are the manufacturer and/or distributor of my TM Factory 14" rims. Although they may be out of business.

Edit: No answer at JCA Corporation. No voicemail. Email bounces back. Google Earth street level view shows a 4-sale sign in front of their building. Safe to say they are defunct. JCA Corporation was associated with Trail America - Trailer Tires and Wheels ( http://www.jcacorp.com/tires.html) and Jet Star - Trailer Tire and Wheel in TN (http://www.jetstartire.com/home.htm) - both defunct. No maximum psi limitations published on any current websites or via waybackmachine.

 

[Keepcamping2013]

14" tire to 15" tire upgrade without lift kit on a 2003 - 2720?: Probably not. However, it may be best to answer your generic questions by first looking at a specific 2003 - 2720 and seeing what you have to work with. Sounds like you may have found one!

I know that the TM Dealer, The Car Show Inc., in Colorado Springs, CO charges about $250 to install the 2.5" lift kit. Many TM Owners have installed the lift kit themselves.

Use the "search" feature to find posts on these topics. There are many that already address these questions - at least to the degree to give you some generic answers. And by reading them you may discover additional issues you were not aware of that may impact your tire choices (i.e. if I upgrade to 15" tires, will my TM with a/c fit into my garage?).

I'm a new TM owner. I purchased a used 2004 TM 2720 with 14" wheel & tire. How can I tell if my unit has the 2 1/2 lift kit? Where can I order the lift kit if I need to.

 

[Bill]

ew TM owner. How can I tell if my unit has the 2 1/2 lift kit? Where can I order the lift kit if I need to.

Go to the very first forum on this board and find the thread by Bill Miller on the topic of retrofitting the lift kit.

Bill

 

[TM Pilot]

I'm a new TM owner. I purchased a used 2004 TM 2720 with 14" wheel & tire. How can I tell if my unit has the 2 1/2 lift kit? Where can I order the lift kit if I need to.

Here are a couple of pictures of the 2.5" lift kit. I just had it installed by the Car Show Inc. in Colorado Springs for approximately $215.

 

[ELM-JLM]

Did you see the kink in the copper line¿

 

[Shrimpburrito]

Did you see the kink in the copper line¿

Excellent catch; I had missed it. My guess is it goes to the water heater. I think I would be inclined to replace that entire line. Otherwise, if you cut out that section you'll have 4 new connections that will be spots for a leak, all exposed to road debris.

It's awfully close to the lift kit. Since you just had it installed, Mmght be worth just checking to see if there are any fresh marks on the line. In any event, it wouldn't be hard or expensive (parts wise) to replace. Just takes time.

Dave

 

[TM Pilot]

Thanks, Earl & Dave.

I examined that kink and I don't think the Car Show Inc. bent the copper gas line. The soft copper line around the kink is weathered (oxidized, hardened) with the same appearance as the rest of the gas lines under the trailer. No recent scrapes/scratches. So I think that kink has been there a while. It may have even been there since new from the factory in 2006. The kink is in the exact place where the copper line would be bent to fish it up through the hole in the floor up toward the water heater. Even with the kink, the water heater works good on gas and the kink doesn't leak. And since the soft copper has hardened over the years and the kink hasn't leaked I've got some time before I have the line replaced. But first I want to finish my current TM project.

It now looks like I'll still have about 3 inches of clearance between the opening of my barn (7ft) and the top of the A/C unit after the lift kit install and the upgrade to 15" tires. I am going with ST205/75R15 8-ply Maxxis M8008 tires with 15x6 rims and 90psi valve stems through my local Discount Tire dealer. Those tires will give me about a 20% safety margin over my max axle weight and I won't have to mod my spare tire carrier. Should be done with this project next week. Next project will be mud flaps.

 

[tentcamper]

When I pick up the camper the seller install two new tires 14" goodyears. He did not want to see me towing the camper with out new tires. Very appreciated. So the tire change is off for a while. I't looks like there is enough clearance to the inside fender to go to 15" without the lift.

When we backed up the drive one of the rear stab lightly touched the ground. So I think we will do the lift kit. I thinking about getting 2" or 2 1/4 tube from a hitch shop. Anyone use hitch tubing??? Any thoughts about using it?

I do need to replace the spare. It still has the blue striping as new tires have, but I'm sure the date code is somewhere around 2003. Playing with the thought of getting a 15" for the spare and if need it I could still limp along with a 14 on one side and a 15 on the other side? I would be one tire closer to 15.

I'm also thinking to get some steel plate 1/8 or 3/16 thick to make some mud flaps. I have really nice framing above the rear of the tire that I could attach the steel mud flap.

 

[Keepcamping2013]

Thanks, My TM does have the lift kit.

 

[Frenchy-TMO]

I just bought some Kenda 14" (Karrier ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range D) with a load capability of 2040 each at 65 psi.

http://www.etrailer.com/Tires-and-Wheels/Kenda/AM10235.html

 

[tentcamper]

Right now i'm on hold with the new tires that the PO installed right before I went to pick it up.

 

[TM Pilot]

Tire & rim + 2.5" lift kit upgrade is now complete on my 2007 TM2619.

Old:
Goodyear Marathon ST215/75R14; 1870lbs @50ps (Load C); Dia 26.6"; Width 8.5"
14x6 Rim

New:
Maxxis M8008 ST205/75R15; 2150lbs @65psi (Load D); Dia 27.1"; Width 8.1"
15x6 Rim


There is about 3.75" of clearance between the top of the Maxxis tires and the wheel well (trailer winterized - not at max weight).

It took some effort to secure the spare tire carrier with the Marathon tire. Now with the slightly narrower Maxxis tire, the spare tire carrier closes nicely. No need to mod the spare tire carrier or the fender skirt.

Purchased the Maxxis tires from my local Discount Tire store for $122/ea. (Discount Tire is the only "official" Maxxis dealer in my area). They don't stock these tires so they had to ship them in. Salesman at the store said these are the best quality ST tires on the market but due to the higher price and fewer dealers that there is not as many sold as other ST brands. He tried to talk me into purchasing a different ST brand (Carlisle) for around $100/ea. but I was set on the Maxxis. Date code on all three tires is 2313 (June 2013). Don't think I would have gotten a newer manufacture date from any online source except possibly direct form Maxxis. But Maxxis wanted $163/ea. $41 more per tire to have a tire maybe 3-6 months newer - I'm happy with my purchase from discount tire. They also ordered my 15x6 rims and then put it all together including balancing. Very convenient over having to buy the tires, rims, and valve stems separately over the internet and take it all somewhere to put together. And Discount Tire has a good warranty and lifetime balancing with lots of stores in my part of the country.

This project took a lot of research, thought, and study. Thanks for all who contributed their knowledge and experience.

Can't wait to hit the road with the TM.

Edit: 14" Tires & Wheels/Rims for sale - http://www.trailmanorowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14982 (Sold Sold Sold)

 

[TM Pilot]

Just replaced my Maxxis M8008 ST 205/75R15 tires through Discount Tire.

Maxxis rebranded their trailer tires to M8008 'Plus.' Not sure yet what is so 'Plus' about them. Specs are the same. Rebranding is so new that Maxxis' website doesn't even show them yet. Date codes on the tires are 2421. Made in Thailand.

 

[Shrimpburrito]

Thanks for the heads up on the Maxxis rebrand!

Dave

 

[TM Pilot]

Maxxis M8008 Plus info:

https://www.maxxis.com/us/tire/m8008-plus-st-radial/