14 inch load range D tire

[hsannerud]

Kumo 14" require 65 psi.....IMO metal stems are the only way to go!

One more vote for metal stems - besides tire pressure the other issue with rubber stems is deterioration. Maybe the problem has been rectified but there was some discussion here not long ago about Chinese manufactured valve stems possibly contributing to blowouts. A couple of bucks is worth the insurance and piece of mind.

Originally Posted by terryh

Bobby:

Thanks for all of the information. The 14" tires have a max pressure of 50 psi, so I don't see the need for metal stems to deal with high pressure. My boat trailer tires carry 60-65 psi with rubber stems. Kumho seems to make the only load range D 14" tires, so I guess they will be my next purchase.

Actually, Cooper/Mastercraft, Continental, Hankook and a few others make this 8 ply Euro tire. Yokohama makes one too, but last I saw theirs was a 6 ply.

Kumho seems to be one of the easiest to lay your hands on, because tire rack carries them, and will deliver them to your door.

For the extra few bucks it will cost, I would get the metal stems. The only tires that have a max of 50psi is your stock tires, these replacement 8 ply Euro tires have a max of 65psi (which is also the very max of a standard TR413 rubber valve stem). If you just don't want to go with a metal clamp in valve stem, at least get them to put a high pressure rubber stem in when you have your tires mounted. Tell them you want a TR600 valve stem (which is good to 100psi).



Don't confuse that with the XR-2200, which is the muffler bracket for the '79 Pinto?

(Sorry, I just had to put that in there, being one of my favorite quotes from the movie "Airplane")

Thanks for all the info. It really helps to hear from other owners who have been there, done that.

The valves are not necessary but recommended for the higher pressures. I think width and load are independent factors, load mostly impacted by sidewall strength. A narrower tire would have the advantage of less drag. I have been elated with my 195 14 Kuhmo's and I have 1800 miles on them in 1 year so far.

Also, a rash of bad rubber valve stems from China were suspected in a lot of blowouts of trailer tires. Most on this forum suggest steel stems just to eliminate that possibility. You put them on once and they only cost a few bucks.

You decide to use a valve stem mounted TPMS it is a good idea to have metal valve stems.

[CAmark]

I have just gotten Nexen 195/78 R14 (all the #'s in the correct order?) that are 8-ply and D rated put on my 2720SL. They carry > 2000# ea and nominally run at 65 psi, though I may run them a bit lower to soften the ride. They replace 5 year old Marathons that had zero problems and still looked good...but no sense pushing the luck any further.

mark

I just bought a 2006 TM 2027 SL, brought it home and was barely able to get it in the driveway. There is a dip where the driveway and road meet, on backing the trailer in it scraped badly on the concrete.

Is there a simple way to raise the trailer to increase clearance without going through the expense of upgrading to 15" wheels?

Originally Posted by Ranger Rick

Is there a simple way to raise the trailer to increase clearance without going through the expense of upgrading to 15" wheels?

The simplest way may be to put some 2x4s down in the dip. I know that doesn't increase your clearance, but if that is the only place where you have problems, it might work for just parking.