2018 266rb tire wheel specs

[wjslam]

Our Outback 266rb was manufactured in May 2017 and came with Trailer King ST225-75R15D tires manufactured in week 8 (Feb) of 2017. We purchased the TT new in January 2018. We have 4300 miles on the China bombs and I have ordered Carlisle HD Trails load range E. In researching wheel specs, I notice that Keystone specs brochure for 2018 and 2019 list ST225 75R15E. (The plackard on out TT shows D.) The 2019 266RB photos show what appear to be the same wheels that are on our rig, so my guess is that they will support the E tires at 80psi with no problem...HOWEVER...I want to be sure. I have not been able to locate a brand or makers mark on the wheels, so I called Keystone and got ZERO help from them. (Shocking!)


Can someone give me a definitive answer as to wheel brand so I can verify before I replace the tires? Thanks much for any help.

[JRTJH]

On the back of your wheel you will find casting information that lists the maximum for two different provisions for that specific wheel . One is the 5 lug weight rating and the other is the 6 lug weight rating. Here is a photo of my wheel casting information. Yours should be the same. If you have 6 lug wheels and the casting weight rating is 6H-**** followed by MAX LOAD 2830 LBS then your wheels are rated to carry 2830 lbs at 80 PSI, the weight capacity of ST225 75R15 LRE tires.

[sourdough]

Pull a wheel and look at the back. I've never seen a trailer tire that didn't have either the max psi or load on it although I've heard there are some. 2540 lbs = LRD = 65psi. 2830? lbs = LRE = 80psi.

[CWtheMan]

A flow chart according to FMVSS.

Tire manufacturers must provide a list of acceptable wheel/rim sizes for all tires they build (not specs).

Wheel/rim manufacturers are not required to put specs on the rims they build. They are required to put the part number/serial number and their address on the wheel. They are also required to provide specs when called for.

OEM providers of wheel/tire assemblies must insure that the assembly meets minimum FMVSS requirements.

The vehicle manufacturer may defer questions about OEM assemblies to the OEM provider. However, when the vehicle manufacturer assembles the wheel/tire assembly, they are responsible for insuring such assemblies meet FMVSS minimum standards and become the contact point for such assemblies.

IMO, the first answer about such assemblies should be provided by the vehicle manufacturer.

NOTE: Every NHTSA recall I have reviewed about improper rim specs for RV trailer applications have been against the vehicle manufacturer. I'm sure it's because they certified the vehicle and in doing so said everything met minimum safety standards, when in fact, the wheels did not.

[wjslam]

Thanks forum folks. I'm not in a position to pull a wheel at the moment but am going to grab a photo. Will advise. In the meantime, my tires are rated for 2540 single and 2200 dual. My GVWR is 8600 lb. Unless I misunderstand the ratings, that means tires are rated for 8800lb on tandem axle. My research indicates I should have a 15% safety factor. Presently it is 2.3%
Please straighten me out if I'm misunderstanding. I'm 3300 miles away from home

[wjslam]

Resolved. Couldn't get a clear photo, so made an impression with gum. Took a photo of the impression, flipped it and it reads Max Load 2830 Lbs, so I am good to go. Thanks everyone! I will feel much safer going cross-country in August heat.

[CWtheMan]

Originally Posted by wjslam

Thanks forum folks. I'm not in a position to pull a wheel at the moment but am going to grab a photo. Will advise. In the meantime, my tires are rated for 2540 single and 2200 dual. My GVWR is 8600 lb. Unless I misunderstand the ratings, that means tires are rated for 8800lb on tandem axle. My research indicates I should have a 15% safety factor. Presently it is 2.3%
Please straighten me out if I'm misunderstanding. I'm 3300 miles away from home

All RV trailer tires are fitted to the vehicle manufacturer's certified GAWR values shown on the vehicle certification label. According to specs for your trailer, your GAWR axles are probably 4000#. If you apply the new RVIA recommendation, the OE tires should have a minimum load capacity 2200#. The tires you have described as being OE are providing over 25% in load capacity reserves. IMO, they are more than just adequate.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by wjslam

Thanks forum folks. I'm not in a position to pull a wheel at the moment but am going to grab a photo. Will advise. In the meantime, my tires are rated for 2540 single and 2200 dual. My GVWR is 8600 lb. Unless I misunderstand the ratings, that means tires are rated for 8800lb on tandem axle. My research indicates I should have a 15% safety factor. Presently it is 2.3%
Please straighten me out if I'm misunderstanding. I'm 3300 miles away from home

Dual application is side by side duals, not dual/tandem axles. The tires on your trailer are rated for 2540. If you have 4000 lb. axles (2x4000=8000 lb. axle rating) - you need to double check that; I would have a problem with a trailer with 8000lb axle capacity and a gvw of 8800 - EVERYTHING needs to be going your way or you will be overloading the axles.. I hope the axles are 5200lb. rating.

In your case, the calculation I would use is your gvw of 8800 and a total tire capacity of 10,160. In that case you have 1360 reserve capacity = 15% safety margin. Your weak spot, REAL weak spot, is if you have 4000 lb. axles....and if your tires are China bombs

[JimSchwenk]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Dual application is side by side duals, not dual/tandem axles. The tires on your trailer are rated for 2540. If you have 4000 lb. axles (2x4000=8000 lb. axle rating) - you need to double check that; I would have a problem with a trailer with 8000lb axle capacity and a gvw of 8800 - EVERYTHING needs to be going your way or you will be overloading the axles.. I hope the axles are 5200lb. rating.

In your case, the calculation I would use is your gvw of 8800 and a total tire capacity of 10,160. In that case you have 1360 reserve capacity = 15% safety margin. Your weak spot, REAL weak spot, is if you have 4000 lb. axles....and if your tires are China bombs

I misunderstood the dual/single spec, too. Mine is a 2016 26RB, same tires, brand, size, specs, etc. They are stamped "1815."

The TT is 6,760 lbs and max cargo is 2380 (including full water). So I feel a "little" better, that was until I read the words about axle rating...gotta check those axles (and wheels). How do I get that info, I did not see it on the TT sticker? Can I run the VIN on line, like you can to get the additional specs for your TV?

We bought the TT brand new in '16, towed it 25 miles from the dealer to a private campground. My wife passed that August and it has sat there ever since. I use it two or three times a month by myself. Obviously, before it goes on the road one of these days, the Trailer King tires will get replaced with E range, quality skins.

BTW, you guys rock. I had never heard about the tire woes prior to coming to this forum. We had a Dutchman for three years and towed it all over with the OEM tires on it. Guess I'm a lucky guy, maybe I should buy a lottery ticket??

[sourdough]

Jim,

First and foremost, condolences on the passing of your wife. After almost 51 years I have NO idea how I could process that.

With a trailer gvw of about 9000 lbs I suspect (hope) you have 5200 lb. axles. My axle weights are on the placard on the side if I recall.

At 9k+loaded weight I would definitely look at LRE tires, especially if you are going to move around. Remember that trailer tires age in place, mileage has little bearing and a nice safety margin is optimal.

Let us know and I hope we get everything figured out.

[CWtheMan]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Dual application is side by side duals, not dual/tandem axles. The tires on your trailer are rated for 2540. If you have 4000 lb. axles (2x4000=8000 lb. axle rating) - you need to double check that; I would have a problem with a trailer with 8000lb axle capacity and a gvw of 8800 - EVERYTHING needs to be going your way or you will be overloading the axles.. I hope the axles are 5200lb. rating.

In your case, the calculation I would use is your gvw of 8800 and a total tire capacity of 10,160. In that case you have 1360 reserve capacity = 15% safety margin. Your weak spot, REAL weak spot, is if you have 4000 lb. axles....and if your tires are China bombs

More than 600# of the 8600# GVWR rides on the tow vehicle.

The standard reads, in part; the vehicle manufacturer's recommended tongue weight when added to the total vehicle GAWR must not be less than GVWR.

Tire load requirements for RV trailers are determined by the trailer's GAWR values, not the vehicle GVWR.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by CWtheMan

More than 600# of the 8600# GVWR rides on the tow vehicle.

The standard reads, in part; the vehicle manufacturer's recommended tongue weight when added to the total vehicle GAWR must not be less than GVWR.

Tire load requirements for RV trailers are determined by the trailer's GAWR values, not the vehicle GVWR.

CW, I love ya man, but I have to disagree a bit here.

I understand what the standard reads, and if it's not from the RVIA, in my opinion, it's meaningless - even if it's considered law; we need better.

I'm not going to repeat the regulations you mentioned. I will say, again, that tires, MUST have a load rating above the gvw of the trailer, IMO. Tongue weight reduction is silly - I understand that "some" use that figure, but it is unrealistic. When you are running I20 in Shreveport, Jackson Ms etc. and the front end of your trailer is above the back of your tailgate, no, you're not running with the full "tongue weight" on the hitch. It is in fact in the air and sitting, 100% on the trailer tires.

Not to try to debate this, just pointing out that the guidelines saying tires can support less than the gvw of a trailer are....dangerous.

[Wxman]

Yes, sometimes the setup just doesn't make sense. Some friends of ours bought a new TT about the same time we bought ours. Both are Keystone and came with the exact same tires, 225/75R15D, and axles, 2x 4400lbs. However, our 24ft trailer has a GVWR of 6500 and their 33 footer has a GVWR of 9600. I feel good, but it makes me say Hmmmm.... about their trailer.

[CWtheMan]

Originally Posted by Wxman

Yes, sometimes the setup just doesn't make sense. Some friends of ours bought a new TT about the same time we bought ours. Both are Keystone and came with the exact same tires, 225/75R15D, and axles, 2x 4400lbs. However, our 24ft trailer has a GVWR of 6500 and their 33 footer has a GVWR of 9600. I feel good, but it makes me say Hmmmm.... about their trailer.

Check your trailer's certification label. The axles should be set at a GAWR of 3000#.

[Wxman]

Nope! Why do you say should? Couple of the biggest reasons I chose this trailer vs others similar sized was the 'overkill' on axles and tires and the cargo carrying capacity.
I understand the points you have been making about GVWR and tires, axles and tongue weight. Was just trying to point out it doesn't make sense to me to see the differences in 'margin' between a trailer like mine and my friends. Seems his is more the norm. I am happy I have more wiggle room, or stretch out on the hammock room, compared to many.

[CWtheMan]

Originally Posted by Wxman

Nope! Why do you say should? Couple of the biggest reasons I chose this trailer vs others similar sized was the 'overkill' on axles and tires and the cargo carrying capacity.
I understand the points you have been making about GVWR and tires, axles and tongue weight. Was just trying to point out it doesn't make sense to me to see the differences in 'margin' between a trailer like mine and my friends. Seems his is more the norm. I am happy I have more wiggle room, or stretch out on the hammock room, compared to many.

Thanks for the photo. I'm going to ask Keystone why they did that.

[CWtheMan]

Here is an answer I got from Keystone.

Thank you for clarifying. The GVWR is 6,500lbs. If the legal owner of the unit would like us to investigate this further for them, they can certainly contact us with their VIN and we'll get a review going for them so we can ensure that anything that needs to be reported to NHTSA will be. Thank you.

Having GAWR axles rated at 4400# each invites GVW loads to exceed 8800#. Way overloaded for your trailer. It's not a normal rating for your trailer. Problem is, it's very hard to get vehicle manufacturers to admit to NHTSA that they made an error.

IMO, the right thing for them to do is to replace your certification label with one that limits the installed axles to a certified 3000#. Nothing else would change. The installed axles are, in fact, providing a great deal of load capacity reserves.

[Wxman]

Thank you. Good or bad, the axle & tire overkill is part of what drew me to this model, It is model wide based on the ones I looked at. I know the GVWR is 6500.