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04-12-2010, 10:54 PM
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#1
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Guest
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Help with 14" or 15" tire decision
I recently acquired my first Trailmanor, a 2004 2720SD with 14'' wheels and installed lift kit. I want to replace the tires. Especially after combing through the forum educating myself on the tire issues. The current tires/wheels are S/T 215/75R14 with 14" 1870# rated rims. The question is do I go with the 14" Kumhos or the 15" Maxxis. Does this sound familiar?
From what I have gleaned, I will have to buy new wheels to run either tire. I do not expect to run heavy or drive at more than 55-60 MPH, but with the price difference minor, the smart move is to upgrade to 15" tire. I can deal with the spare tire modifications. The real question is will they fit.
I have four inches of clearance over the top of the tire to the wheel well right now. This obviously exceeds the recommended three inches. But, the clearence on the curbside to the rear is only 2.5 inches. The attached photo shows the tire is closer to the rear in the wheel well than the front. The 15'' tire would have a diameter of 28.3 inches vs. 27 inches for the 14''.
Can I get advice on whether this provides enough clearance for the wheel travel ? Seems like it may be cutting it close over a bump. Any help is appreciated for a first time post. Thanks.
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04-12-2010, 11:13 PM
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#2
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Site Sponsor
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunny Beaches of Los Angeles
Posts: 3,239
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I upgraded from the 14" Marathons to a 14" 205 R14 Kumho, and did not require new rims. I also had less clearance than you on the rear side of the tire prior to the upgrade, and I have no problems.
Dave
__________________
2000 2720SL & 2007 3124KB
2005 Toyota Sequoia
Twin Battle Born 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 (BBGC2) batteries, 300W solar on rear shell, Link 10, Lift kit, Maxxis 8008 225 75/R15 E tires
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04-13-2010, 12:22 AM
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#3
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,835
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It sounds like you have plenty of clearance. I would go with the 15". You can get higher weight ratings.
I can tell you from personal experience, if you don't upgrade you may wish that you would have. I hate that feeling.
If you need a boost, just go get your trailer weighed on the way to your next camp-out........you may be quite surprised at what you discover....
__________________
TrailManor Elkmont
640W solar- 230AH LiFeP04 Battery
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04-13-2010, 05:36 AM
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#4
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Guest
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Looks Like You Have Plenty Of Room, Here Are My Before And After Shots Of Going To 15" Tires And Rims On My '08 Before And After
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04-13-2010, 08:37 AM
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#6
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Guest
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Personally, I do not see the need of the 15 inch tires, and especially the expense of new rims. Not to mention having to monkey around with the spare tire holder. I have the Kumho's and have had zero problems. Unless you are planning on putting rocks throughout your TM (like Lucy) the Kumho's will work just fine. As others have mentioned definitely upgrade to something else, if for no other reason than peace of mind.
Mike Anderson
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04-13-2010, 11:40 AM
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#7
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Guest
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bowonly
I have four inches of clearance over the top of the tire to the wheel well right now. This obviously exceeds the recommended three inches. But, the clearence on the curbside to the rear is only 2.5 inches. The attached photo shows the tire is closer to the rear in the wheel well than the front. The 15'' tire would have a diameter of 28.3 inches vs. 27 inches for the 14''.
Can I get advice on whether this provides enough clearance for the wheel travel ? Seems like it may be cutting it close over a bump. Any help is appreciated for a first time post. Thanks.
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bowonly, I don't know why some TMs don't have the tires centered in the wheel well......there have been others before you that have noticed this.
I can see what you are getting at. You have plenty of bump clearance on the top, but not towards the back of the wheel well. By the looks of things, the current setup would probably hit the top about the same time as the back of the fender well, and that might change a little if you go to the 15" tires. The 3" suggested bump clearance is a worse case scenario, but you never know.
If it were me, and I already had the camper loaded for a trip when that picture was taken, I think I would give it a try. Even though the 15" tires are 1.3" in diameter bigger, it will only be a little more than a 1/2" closer to the wheel well.....the radius is 1/2 the diameter.
Now if the camper is empty and not ready for camping, I would load it up with all of the goodies and then see what the clearances look like.
I installed a lift kit and went with 15" tires on my TM with no problem, but the wheels were centered a little better in the fender wells.
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04-13-2010, 12:08 PM
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#8
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Site Sponsor
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunny Beaches of Los Angeles
Posts: 3,239
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Take a look at how much clearance I had behind the wheel before I went from a 14" Marathon to a 14" Kumho. WAY less than what you have.
This thread also discusses why at least one of my wheels is not centered in the wheel well.
http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ead.php?t=6078
Dave
__________________
2000 2720SL & 2007 3124KB
2005 Toyota Sequoia
Twin Battle Born 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 (BBGC2) batteries, 300W solar on rear shell, Link 10, Lift kit, Maxxis 8008 225 75/R15 E tires
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04-13-2010, 03:09 PM
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#9
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Guest
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besides the wheel size and lug spread (5 x 4.5) what is the proper center bore? I see wheels with 3.19 and 3.30" bores.
Thx
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04-16-2010, 10:35 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: The mountains of Scottsdale, AZ, and the beaches of Maine
Posts: 10,104
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Quote:
Originally Posted by guitartom
besides the wheel size and lug spread (5 x 4.5) what is the proper center bore? I see wheels with 3.19 and 3.30" bores.
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Tom, that's an interesting question. I wasn't aware that different bores were available, so I went into the garage to make a measurement. The mike clicked in at 3.17", so I'm guessing that 3.19 is the right answer.
I also observed that the bore on my wheels is bigger than it has to be, by about 1/4". It is not a snug fit on the spindle housing. In other words, a wheel with a 0.295" bore would have fit, too (if such a wheel existed). Given that the fit isn't critical, I can't imagine that going to a 0.330" bore (a tenth of an inch bigger) would make any difference.
I changed out my wheels a couple years ago. My experience was that in this basic size, TM uses the same wheel as most other travel trailers, boat trailers, utility trailers, car haulers, and so forth. There are advantages to standardization, and one of them is that the wheels are cheap and easy to get. In fact, many (though not all) tire dealers keep them in stock. Standard white-painted steel - complete with the little color stripe near the edge.
Bill
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