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16 inch tires vs 15 inch

jbeliera
Explorer
Explorer
I have read various threads about tire size on fivers, one of them being switching over to 16" tires. Is their any advantage to that switch from 15's to 16's on a fiver. Does it also help in making the fiver more level if your fiver is still little too nose high Just curious
John and Judie Beliera
2008 Laredo 29RL, Fiver (Mustang Sally)
Anderson Ultimate Hitch
2015 GMC 2500 HD 6.0 liter
9 REPLIES 9

memtb
Explorer
Explorer
When we first started shopping for 5erโ€™s (around 1990), we didnโ€™t even consider anything that โ€œdid notโ€ have 16โ€โ€™s. โ€œ Move along folks, thereโ€™s nothing to see hereโ€!

With 16โ€โ€™s you have all the benefits as mentioned above. Plus.... if it was running 16โ€™s from the manufacturer.... youโ€™re getting higher capacity axles, larger brakes, generally โ€œslightlyโ€ higher ground clearance. And, with todayโ€™s โ€œtallerโ€ trucks, itโ€™s a little easier to get the trailer level for towing.j
Todd & Marianne
Miniature Schnauzer's - Sundai, Nellie & Maggie Mae
2007 Dodge Ram 3500, 6.7 Cummins, 6 speed manual, 3.73 ratio, 4x4
2004 Teton Grand Freedom, 39'
2007 Bigfoot 30MH26Sl

JIMNLIN
Explorer
Explorer
My used 11200 lb trailer came with new Marathon ST225/75-15 D at 2540 lb capacity and were 28.3" diameter installed by the rv dealer.
At that time I would have a ST tire even on my wheel barrow so sold them on CL to a guy with a lawn mower trailer.
Bought 4 16" wheels and had LT215/85-16 E at 2680 lbs mounted. I like a tall narrow tread tire for my RV and equipment trailers....less side scrub (ply shear) issues when making those tight turns.
The OEM 15" spare wheel/Carlisle tire on it still hangs under the trailer. It hasn't touched the ground after two sets of LT tires and 130k miles.

You sure don't need a 16" load G tire at 4080-4400 lbs capacity on that size trailer with 4700-5200 lb axles.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers

'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 two slides

Retired_JSO
Explorer
Explorer
While there are several 15โ€ tires available in load rang E, you can go all out and get G load range in 16โ€ if you have clearance.

Helmsey
Explorer
Explorer
When it was time to replace the 15" tires on our last 5er we upgraded to 16". For me there was a better selection of LT tires that would support the weight needed, and I was able to get a taller 16" tire to give about an inch of height to the ride. That extra inch helped level the 5er when hooked to the truck.
KK4PFX
2015 Chevy 3500HD LTZ Dually
2013 Sandpiper 365SAQ

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
The GY Endurance US Made tires have a good reputation so far.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
downtheroad wrote:
Switching to 16" gives lots more options when buying tires....like opting for LT tires instead of ST's


X2!
While my 5er came with 16โ€ LT from the factory in 2005, I would only run LTโ€™s on any fiver I run.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

donn0128
Explorer
Explorer
Actually you dont need to spend $$$$ for Ribs. Any decent brand LT tire is sooo much better than the best ST tire you will be able to kiss tire worries good bye.

downtheroad
Explorer
Explorer
Switching to 16" gives lots more options when buying tires....like opting for LT tires instead of ST's
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."

Arctic Fox 25Y
GMC Duramax
Blue Ox SwayPro

Dick_B
Explorer
Explorer
Yes because you can go to Michelin XPS Ribs and kiss your tire troubles goodbye. Make sure there is enough clearance in the wheel well for the extra 1/2 inch or so of tire height.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two electric bikes (both Currie Tech Path+ models)