Replacing steel wheels @ 50psi with aluminum @ 65psi

Question:

I currently have 4 of these AM32153 14inch wheels and tires Loadstar C rated and white powder coat steel wheel on a 29 foot Rockwood 2604 TT. I would like to either 1 upgrade to a 14inch aluminum wheel rated at 65psi and with a D rated 14inch tire or 2 upgrade to a 15inch wheel with 15inch D rated tire. I currently have plenty of clearance above the tires and exactly 2.25inch clearance between the two 14inch tires. I realize that going to a 15inch tire will decrease the space between the two tires. What do you recommend?

asked by: Vic

Expert Reply:

Because the clearance between your two tires is pretty snug already, I would recommend you stay with a 14 inch wheel. Given that your distance between the front and rear tires is 2.25 inches, going with a 15 inch wheel will change that distance to 1.25 inches which is closer than I would be comfortable with. When driving over uneven pavement or while making sharp turns, the suspension allows the axles to move around to a certain degree. If the tires were any closer together than they are now, there is an excellent chance they could contact each other which can damage your tires.

We offer a 205/75R-14 load range C radial tire on an aluminum wheel, part # LH84VR. The tire has the identical capacity of your existing wheels/tires, 1760 lbs at 50 psi. This is the wheel/tire combo I would recommend.

We do not offer a load range B 14 inch tire or wheel/tire combo.

Keep in mind that increasing the load range of your tires will NOT increase the capacity of your travel trailer if the axles or suspension is rated lower. Your weight capacity will be equal to that of the lowest rated component, whether that be the tires, axle or suspension.

expert reply by: Mike L