Tires again

09-21-2012, 10:41 AM

We are new to the forum, just got back from a trip during which we blew out what we thought were 6 year old 14 inch marathons which were actually 9 year old marathons on a 2006 2720. They were three years old already when we bought the trailor new.

Want to upgrade to 15 inch load range D as on the tires, thread. Just want to make sure we got it right. I have ordered 2600lb 15X6 wheels, 225-75-15 Load range D marathons and steel valve stems. It is going on a 2720 that will be stored outside with the lift kit. I was not able to get any guidence from trailmanor on wheel width so used the forum advice on 6 inch.

I understand I will have to have my spare tire holder modified. I may have a issue with the fender skirts. Any concerns about this plan other than some people seem to prefer other brands.

**Bill** · 09-21-2012, 02:30 PM

Sounds like you are good to go. I'm assuming you confirmed the proper bolt pattern - seems to me it was "5 on 4.5", but you can review the same posts to check that.

Be sure to have the new tires/wheels balanced.

Bill

**Lesherp** · 09-22-2012, 12:31 PM

I solved the problem of the spare tire rack needing adjustment by getting loner pins from Fastenal. There is a picture of it in my albums. I have the same year and model as you and had no problem with the skirts.

**Bill** · 09-22-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

I solved the problem of the spare tire rack needing adjustment by getting loner pins from Fastenal. There is a picture of it in my albums.

Lesherp -

I just looked at the pics and noticed that the entire weight of the tire, including shock load, is taken by those two little hitch clips. Wow, you're brave. That's not what they are intended, or rated for.

Bill

**Lesherp** · 09-23-2012, 08:07 AM

Hmmm Now that I think about it it may not be a great idea. It was an afterthought and I had forgotten how it was originally set up. I was thinking that all that held it was the pins. oops

I have several thousand miles on the setup without a problem (yet). The force is straight down on the pins so I still think it unlikely they would break unless there was very sudden deceleration (crash).

I may go back to the heavy-duty bolts I had in there to start with. This would complicate getting at the tote that I seldom use so I am curious as to what the chances of this causing a problem is. I am liking it less the more I think about it.

Anyone with engineering background please give your opinion.

09-23-2012, 09:12 AM

I was able to use the spare rack unmodified with my 15" tires by lowering the pressure to 50Lbs. Yes I will need to find a service station or use my compressor, but it was a quick solution until I have time to mod the rack.

**Bill** · 09-23-2012, 09:33 AM

Lesherp -

I can think of one quick BandAid - not a solution - that you might employ. The clevis pin has a number of holes in it, enabling the user to latch it at whatever length is needed. You have chosen one of the holes, and put the latch pin in it. You might put another latch pin in the next hole down. Then, if the first one breaks, the second one should catch the load, and hold it for a while. Be sure to peer under the rig once in a while to check the situation.

Your picture says you will need to buy new, longer, clevis pins - but they are cheap.

If you have a drill press, you might try enlarging the hole in the pin a bit, so that you can put in a hardened steel pin. But if you enlarge it too much, it will weaken the pin, so be careful.

Bill