My wife and I are getting closer to our full time RV life and I'm now shopping for new tires for my 2012 Keystone Raptor 4014LEV that grosses at 18k lbs. Has anyone ran into any issues upszing to the 235/85-16 on this triple axle trailer? The 235/80-16 is the stock size, but tempted to go with the 235/85-16 which are .9 inches larger than the 80 series in diameter or just under 1/2" larger on any side of the tire. I have plenty of clearance over the tires. I measured between the tires and I have 3" clearance between the front/middle axle tires and 4" between the middle/rear axle tires, so this should reduce each of those by an inch compared to the current tires.
My top choice of new tires is the the Sailun S637's. They seem to get good reviews, are G rated, and they leave me plenty of carrying capacity in reserve as to not stress them too much. I already verified my rims are rated at 110psi. However, I'm not sure about the spare rim if it's rated to that and forgot to check? Anyone know about the spare? This will be a full time rig being pulled by a Volvo 610 semi and I expect to be loaded near capacity. I know the Sailuns do come in the stock 235/80 size, but the 1/2" higher is appealing because of the current height of my hitch which I think has me a tad nose high. Is it worth it to size up or just stay stock?
My 2nd choice is the Goodyear Endurances, but that's still an E rated tire and they really seem too new to get long term feedback. Not to mention the stock sizes are only rated at 3420 at 80psi like the Maxxis M8008, so that doesn't leave as much room in reserve. The Sailuns cost about the same price or lower for over 4k lbs capacity rating at each tire.
The previous owner has a hodge podge of tires on the 5th wheel including, a couple of the original tow max tires that are showing their age, plus a couple gremax tires that don't look much better, one Maxxis M8008 and a unmounted Goodyear Marathon he threw in. I know the Maxxis is the only acceptable one out of all of those, but the previous owner never kept it covered. It could probably make a good spare if I stay with stock sizes. If I size up, I'm pretty sure I should do all 7 tires.
Thanks for your assistance.
BTW, here's my setup with my Volvo 610 HDT and 41'7" Raptor 4014LEV.
You can see I actually had to mount the spare on this side because one of the stock towmax tires had the belts let loose and the tire was bulged out around the tread. That's why the owner gave me the GY Marathon, but that tire seems to be junk too from reviews.
My wife loves the HDT too
Desert185 🇺🇸 (Retired Chemtrail vendor)
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