205s or 215s?

[hohlraum]

My Heritage trailer is currently using 215/75-14s. I contacted Heritage about some misc. questions and included a photo. He noted that it looked like the tire was a bit close to the fender.

Did some research and it looks like a 205/75-14 would decrease the diameter by about 1/2" but I'd also lose about 220lbs of total weight capacity across both tires (single axel trailer).

I think part of it is that the fenders have just bent down a bit after years of using it for boarding the boat during launch/maint.

Here is a pic

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: 205s or 215s?

Is there obvious signs of the current tires scrubbing the fenders? If not, I'd leave it alone.

 

[hohlraum]

Re: 205s or 215s?

Yeah I'm thinking the same thing.

 

[642mx]

Re: 205s or 215s?

I had a Dorsey trailer that sat like that on my last boat. I didn't do anything with it until I saw tire smoke about 3 hours from home. It turns out 2 of the 4 leafs springs busted. I guess they where cracked and then finally fell apart. I would check those leafs just to be on the safe side.

And FWIW, I switched from 215's to 205's on my current trailer. It sits just a little closer to the ground, but hardly noticable.

 

[hohlraum]

Re: 205s or 215s?

I had a Dorsey trailer that sat like that on my last boat. I didn't do anything with it until I saw tire smoke about 3 hours from home. It turns out 2 of the 4 leafs springs busted. I guess they where cracked and then finally fell apart. I would check those leafs just to be on the safe side.

And FWIW, I switched from 215's to 205's on my current trailer. It sits just a little closer to the ground, but hardly noticable.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely have that checked out.

 

[Titanium48]

Re: 205s or 215s?

If you can find them, a set of load range D ST185/80R13 will give you about an inch more clearance and still have a 1750 lb load rating. Unfortunately these tires are quite rare.

 

[hohlraum]

Re: 205s or 215s?

I ended up just ordering the 215s.

 

[sbbamafan]

Re: 205s or 215s?

My Shorelander has 215's. I just replaced them with the same. Like yours, the tires on my trailer are VERY close to the fenders - so close that it was sort of difficult to get the tires off and on. I thought about downsizing the tires but didn't due to the weight capacity reduction. Personally, I wish I had a tandem - and probably should - but I have never had any problems.

 

[Fed]

Re: 205s or 215s?

Is there any springs under that trailer?

 

[burp]

Re: 205s or 215s?

If you can find them, a set of load range D ST185/80R13 will give you about an inch more clearance and still have a 1750 lb load rating. Unfortunately these tires are quite rare.

Another option.....look at Kumho brand tires. Most 14" trailer tires are load range C. The Kumho Radial 857 tire is available in the 205R14 size with the load range D. Slightly smaller physical size than the 215's but capable of handling a higher weight. I switched over to them a couple of years ago after a couple of blow outs, as I was really pushing the load range C tires on my trailer. No problems since.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...7&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=0R4857&tab=Sizes

http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv118/burps266/Trailertire005.jpg Shows a mounted Kumho 205R14 next to a mounted Goodyear 215R14. Kumho is slightly shorter and narrower tread.