Bigger tires mean changing Axle?

[hjcarlson]

I have been reading post about tires, and going to bigger ones...we have a 1998 2518 that we just bought (in Sante Fe, NM and drove back to Minneapolis, MN) along the way one of the tires developed a bulge. All three tires, the spare and the two that are on it are different tires, but all are 13". When we called TM they said in order to go to bigger tires, we would need to purchase a new axle that would have the bigger tires on it...What say you? Help please. Can we put 14" on the current axle?

Harry and Kim

 

[2bcs1jrt]

Well, we have a 1996 2518. We added a lift kit and that made room for 14" tires. It's only been a couple of months but they seem to be doing fine so far. Had to buy new wheels as well, of course. Did they say why it was necessary to purchase an axel?
Cheri

 

[hjcarlson]

lift kit?

What kind of lift kit?
Was this for the vehicle? or on the TM itself?
No, I don't recall if they said why...

 

[2bcs1jrt]

It is something TrailManor offers to raise the TM up off the axel 2.5 inches. Gives more ground clearance but consequently give more wheel well clearance as well. Do a search for Lift Kit
As a trial member maybe you can't axcess all the info but it's basically a piece of square steel that bolts between the axel and the frame
Cheri

 

[2bcs1jrt]

Yes, we were successful in using the lift kit to make more room for the larger tires, and the depth of the wheel well was sufficient to accomodate them. As far as the wheels themselves go, the guy at Big O tires who was holding our shredded blown tire and wheel had the matching lug pattern for the 14's in stock already. I didn't even know they were a problem to find.

We made this upgrade for safety reasons only. We still drive at 55mph as much as possible and load lightly as ever but now we aren't constantly running at the max speed reccomended for the tires since the 14's are rated for 65mph. (The 13's are rated for 55mph)
Cheri