HAVE A QUESTION ON TIRE SIZE (picture)

[bricker]

I bought this camper about 9 years ago and parked it in the woods, with the tires on it. This is not a nice thing to do to tires, evidently. In order to pull this camper home, the tires need replacing. The tires on it are 235-75 15, but they are so wide it took considerable effort (and deflating) to remove them from the wheel well. I found some 205-75 15 and was wondering if they are narrower and would fit into the wheel well easier. Tire wrestling is for someone younger than me.

[Tom S.]

If you want to be safe, you need to replace the tires with tires that have the same weight carrying rating. Size doesn't matter as much as the weight capacity does. If you can find 205's with that same rating, you should be OK. Also, you don't state if they are truck (LT) or trailer (ST) tires. Hopefully they are LT as they are cheaper and easier to find. Besides that, most ST tires are made in China.

[ParadiseRoad]

...205s should be over an inch narrower...just make sure the load rating printed on the sidewall is enough to carry the weight of the camper...

...first number is the width in millimeters...multiply by .04 to get inches...

[bricker]

The tires on it are not original equipment. They are mud grips placed on it by some well-meaning good ol' boy. I have no idea about the original size, as the camper is a 1968 model.

[bricker]

Originally Posted by ParadiseRoad

...they should be over an inch narrower...just make sure the load rating printed on the sidewall is enough to carry the weight of the camper...first number is the width in millimeters...multiply by .04 to get inches...

I am replacing them with trailer tires with a "C" rating.

[Geno44]

Do you think the wheels on it are original? Tire widths need to correspond to wheel widths. Is that camper manufacturer still in business? Could you contact the company to get the specs? When you were removing the tire/wheel assembly, did you place the jack on the axle or the frame? Jacking by the frame would allow the axle to drop down some which might make removal easier.

[bricker]

Originally Posted by Geno44

Do you think the wheels on it are original? Tire widths need to correspond to wheel widths. Is that camper manufacturer still in business? Could you contact the company to get the specs? When you were removing the tire/wheel assembly, did you place the jack on the axle or the frame? Jacking by the frame would allow the axle to drop down some which might make removal easier.

I'm pretty sure the wheels are original, they are six hole rims. I did jack the axle, might have been part of the problem, however, the tires are off the camper now. The data plate is pretty faded, date of manufacture is about the only thing legible.

[Geno44]

Can you tell the manufacturer and the model by any method? Any booklets or literature in the thing? What does the title call it?

[Wally West]

There should be a plate on the camper that lists the weight of the camper with the weight stamped in. Too bad it's faded off. Take that figure, divide by half (you have two tires) and get tires that can handle that weight. If you have 4 tires then divide by 4. Remember, it's not just the camper but also what you have in it. Since you don't have that plate you can either look up the camper by googlefu or copy the tires that are on it. You have the size, are they passenger, suv or truck tires? The sidewall will tell you this as well as when they were made, the weight rating etc. If you have a P205/70/17 you have a passenger tire. It will also tell you the speed rating, load rating if not in pounds then by code etc.

ie: 5,000lb camper. 5,000/2 = 2,500lbs. Simplified a little but that is the gist of it.

[4barrel]

The 205s will handle 1700 pounds per tire. My 235s say 2066 pounds per tire. The tire gives the max weight.

[DWalt]

I have no idea what size/type of camping trailer you have, but most from that time period aren't very heavy, and narrower tires should be safe.

[bricker]

Originally Posted by DWalt

I have no idea what size/type of camping trailer you have, but most from that time period aren't very heavy, and narrower tires should be safe.

I should have mentioned it earlier. It is 14' long. I could not find it on an internet search, but one close to it said it was 2200 pounds.

EDIT: Now with the picture of the camper attached.

[Kanewpadle]

H78-15

[DeathGrip]

How far are you gonna haul it? How often and at what speeds?

As stated above 235 and such is tread width. The next number is the percentage of that.

A shorter tire wont change much except a little ground clearance.

AND, You can put different manufactures tires of the same size next to each other and find they aren't too consistent in their measurements.

[bricker]

Originally Posted by DeathGrip

How far are you gonna haul it? How often and at what speeds?

As stated above 235 and such is tread width. The next number is the percentage of that.

A shorter tire wont change much except a little ground clearance.

AND, You can put different manufactures tires of the same size next to each other and find they aren't too consistent in their measurements.

Probably 2-300 miles a year, 60mph. I repacked the wheel bearings after the tire removal, should be good to go with new tires.

[DeathGrip]

Originally Posted by bricker

Probably 2-300 miles a year, 60mph. I repacked the wheel bearings after the tire removal, should be good to go with new tires.

You'll replace most tires by age not miles at that point. Don't spend to much.

[mrchuck]

Nice hunting trailer.
Get the highest weight carry tire you can find.
Years back, I took mine to the big tire shop and they put commercial grade tires under it.
They lasted till I sold it years later.

[Wally West]

At that weight about any tire will work on it. Don't overpay for Truck Tires which are stiffer with a higher load rating (in some cases over 3,000lbs). Buy passenger tires. Go online and order some then have a shop mount and balance them for you. I save a ton getting tires online. Bought some chinese tires for my wifes care and saved over $300. Ran great for 3yrs and I just bought another set. IF your only running it a few hundred miles a year do that or consider used tires.

If that has sat for as long as you say it needs new tires before you run it.

[DWalt]

Used tires or bottom-of-the-line new tires would be the most economical. The local Mexican tire shop guys in my neighborhood always have a selection of good-looking used tires on their racks for $20-$30 or so each depending upon size and condition.

[Squarebutt]

Seeing your trailer, you'll be fine with 205s. I have a box trailer 18' long with a GVW of 7000, and I've loaded it heavy and pulled it all over the country on 205x75x15s, the original size the factory installed.