Upgrade to 15" tires question

[Bowfreak]

I have a 2003 2720 SL and currently it has the standard 14" tires on it. The overall height is 80" and I need to know how much height is actually added to the overall height with the lift kit from Trailmanor. My problem is that I only have a door opening of 83.5" to work with. I could always let a little air out of the tires taking it in and out of the shop if it was just a little over 83.5" after the lift but if it's much more I can't do it. For those of you that have done it could you let me know how much height was added and what tire size you went with? Thanks for you time.

[Bill]

The title of your post asks about 15" tires. The body of your post asks about the lift kit. They are not the same, of course.

The lift kit is also called the "2-inch lift kit", since it lifts the body of the TM by 2 inches.

The change from 14-inch tires to 15-inch tires adds a bit to the height, with the exact number depending on who manufactures the tire. It is generally around 1/2 inch. For example, according to the Goodyear web site (you should check it) the loaded radius increases from 11.8 inches to 12.5 inches.

There are a number of threads about whether the TM will fit in your garage. You might check them, since the TM height varied a bit from model year to model year.

Hope this helps.

Bill

[Bowfreak]

From my understanding you have to install the lift kit in order to install 15" rims and tires. So I guess I would need to know what a standard size tire everyone is running so I could figure the outside diameter, compare that to my 14" tires and then add the 2".

It really wouldn't be applicable for me to check other threads to see if it would fit in my garage based upon other models since I know my current model is 80" tall and my garage opening is 83.5".

From my understanding there are 3 reasons to go with the 15" tires and rims.

1) More ground clearance.
2) More choices on tires and higher load ratings choices.
3) Bigger circumference to help reduce tire heat build up.

So what size 15" tires is everyone running so I can do the math?

Thanks

Originally Posted by Bill

The title of your post asks about 15" tires. The body of your post asks about the lift kit. They are not the same, of course.

The lift kit is also called the "2-inch lift kit", since it lifts the body of the TM by 2 inches.

The change from 14-inch tires to 15-inch tires adds a bit to the height, with the exact number depending on who manufactures the tire. It is generally around 1/2 inch. For example, according to the Goodyear web site (you should check it) the loaded radius increases from 11.8 inches to 12.5 inches.

There are a number of threads about whether the TM will fit in your garage. You might check them, since the TM height varied a bit from model year to model year.

Hope this helps.

Bill

[Padgett]

I did not raise mine when going to 205/75R15 LRDs but am considereing raising the street side an inch, seeing some light rubbing at the top of that well only. See no reason to raise 2" since the Max load of the 205 is 2150 lbs @ 65 psi, 27.1" dia and considerably above the stock 215/75R14 LRC (1870 lbs @ 50 psi, 26.7" dia). The clearance is only reduced by half the difference in diameter or about a quarter inch.

[tentcamper]

my 2003 2720 had a lot of clearance for the tires and I don't think I would need a lift kit for the 15 tires. But I needed a lift kit for more clearance for the slope of my drive. I have not yet changed my tries and they are 14".

The 2" lift kit raised the camper by 2". I think there is also a 2.5" kit, which would rise the camper by 2.5". My assumption from looking at the tire manufactures info is the 15" tire will add 3/4" or less

[Bowfreak]

So it looks like 205/75/R15 and 225/75/R15 are 2 of the most common sizes in 15"trailer tires.

The 205 would add .41" to the diameter compared to my R14's. Since that is overall diameter, it would only be adding .205" to my total camper height since only half the difference would actually be adding to the height.

The 225's would add 1.59" to the overall diameter compared to the R14's which would only add about .79" to the overall height of the camper.

Since I can get the 225's in more selections of brands with a D load rating it looks like that would be the way to go. So 2" lift kit + .79" for added height from 225/75/R15's would stay under the 3.5" I had to work with if I am doing my math right.

It also adds almost 5" to the circumference which should also help with heat build up. And would add 2" to my ball height which would help with how low my WDH arms are currently as well.

Let me know if I am missing something.

[tentcamper]

those numbers seem right.

[Padgett]

With a lift kit a 225 maks sense since less % loaded. For me, the 205 LRD seemed "enough".

Is a case dear to Tim Allen: "If enough is good, more is better."

[Craigrrr]

Originally Posted by tentcamper

my 2003 2720 had a lot of clearance for the tires and I don't think I would need a lift kit for the 15 tires. But I needed a lift kit for more clearance for the slope of my drive. I have not yet changed my tries and they are 14".

The 2" lift kit raised the camper by 2". I think there is also a 2.5" kit, which would rise the camper by 2.5". My assumption from looking at the tire manufactures info is the 15" tire will add 3/4" or less

TentCamper, Do you have any pics of the lift kit you installed?

[tentcamper]

No I did not take any pics. But I can remember some pic on this site that I saw before doing the mod.