Tires
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12547
Printed Date: 02 May 2024 at 1:10am
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Topic: Tires
Posted By: craigwood
Subject: Tires
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2019 at 7:11pm
| I am trying to order a set of Carlisle Radial Trail HD tires for my 2015 179 pod and I thought the size I needed were 235/75R 15 D rated tires. But looking online all I could find were 205 and 225/75R 15. My pod is currently located 2 hours away in storage and I don't want to drive that far to verify the size. Anybody know the real size? I appreciate any and all help! |
Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2019 at 9:26pm
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Given your location, I am guessing that your RPod is the Hood River Edition. Please confirm. It makes a difference as the Midwest Edition came stock with 14" wheels. My 2016 RP179 Midwest Edition which was built in 2015 came with 14" wheels. In this case, it is better to make the drive than to order tires and then have to sell them at a loss. Is there anyone closer to where it is that could check them for you? ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 5:02am
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I've never seen a 235/75r15 trailer tire. If you have that on your rPod its probably a vehicle tire. If you know for sure you already have 15 inch tires and wheels (OE in the West on the Hood River version) then the 225/75 R15 LRD's you're planning on will work fine, and better than using a vehicle tire. If you think you might have 14 inch tires and wheels (which are the OE standard on the Midwest rPods) then you should have someone check that for you as StephenH suggests. If you do have the 14 inch tires and wheels then you might still want to go ahead with your 15 tire purchase and also buy 15 inch wheels. The 14 inch LRD's while an improvement over the OE 14 inch LRC's are still only rated at about 2000 lbs while the 225 75R15 LRD's are good for about 2500 lbs. Every little bit helps. That's what I did, you can buy them premounted here for a reasonable price, saved at least $50 not having to mount them. https://www.easternmarine.com/loadstar-st225-75r-15-radial-tire-aluminum-split-spoke-rim-5-lug-lrd ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 7:14am
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HRE's come with a light truck sized tire, NOT a trailer sized tire. ------------- |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 7:29am
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That explains it. Then you can get a upgrade in load carrying capacity by changing to the 225 75R15 LRD trailer tire. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 8:22am
I know this subject came up a while ago but the 'search' function failed to reveal it. Very frustrating. Please educate me. ?Is there ANY valid reason to use a light truck tire on a travel trailer? e-trailer 'expert opinion' - "Light truck tires are a type of passenger vehicle tire and as such they are not built with as thick of a sidewall as trailer tires. A thicker sidewall allows a trailer tire to handle more vertical load." ------------- "There comes a time in the affairs of a man when he must take the bull by the tail and face the situation" - W.C. Fields |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 8:31am
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I am NOT a tire expert. However, I have personally found that the new Goodyear Endurance tires do in fact have a significantly stronger sidewall than my previous Maxxis and the original china bombs. I think the ride has improved and the pod does not bounce up and down as much as before the Goodyears were installed. I increased the load range and feel more comfortable with the new tires. I have used them for 3 relatively long trips(3000+ miles) and am happy so far. Just my 2 cents-other opinions may vary Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 8:47am
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No valid reason I can think of, other than the LT tire tread pattern supporting the HRE's "off road" image. It will just result in higher rolling resistance and more rapid tire wear. And 179's have pretty high axle, wheel, and tire loadings. I agree with etrailer, its a trailer, use a trailer tire. Tire Rack also agrees: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=219 ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: craigwood
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 9:06am
| Thanks for all the quick replies. Yes, we have the HRE model 2015 179 and I know they are 15 inch rims. I looked at them recently and I remember LT 2?5/75 R15 load range C West Lake (originals) and I was thinking the ? was a 3 but easily could have been a 2. I know many on this (GREAT) forum have suggested the Carlisle Trail for it's stiffer/thicker sidewalls and higher pressure capacity and load range (D). Maybe I should make the drive to verify the tire size before ordering anything. Thanks again! |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 9:17am
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If you know you have 15 inch wheels you'll be fine with the 225/75R15's, no need to make a special trip. Just to be clear, and I'm not in any way criticizing Carlisle, but many companies make 225/75R15 LRD trailer tires, so you have plenty of choices.  . ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 9:21am
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The Westlake 857+ tires that come on the HR's are 235 75 R15's. They are ST tires not LT tires. There is no like size replacement unless you go to a LT. I have posted several times about my frustration trying to find a same size swap. If I want to replace with ST tire I'd have to a 225 75 R15, which I'd lose about a 1-2ish in height. Not a deal breaker since I added the risers, but I'd rather not. I couldn't find my old post on the topic. Sorry. Hope this helps. Thanks Jeff  ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 11:20am
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+1 to what Wood River Pod said. The tires that came on our HRE RP-179 are Westlake CR857+ tires. The size stamped on the sidewall is "ST235-75R15", and they are also labeled "For Trailer use Only". They are plainly trailer tires. They are a special tire (presumably) ordered by Forrest River for (at least) the HRE R-pods, and probably others as well. There is no after market equivalent, and they are also special because even though they are load range C, they are stamped with a maximum load of 2340 lbs, which is way above what a "typical" load range C tire would handle. If you were to replace these tires, the closest I have found is ST225-75R15. You would want to get load range D in this tire size in order to get a similar/equivalent load handling capability. The difference in height is only 3/4 of a centimeter (235 mm - 225 mm = 10 mm = 1 cm). And since it is a "75" profile, the height is .75 of the width, or 7.5 mm. This translates to about .295 inches or a little less than 1/3" (or a little more than 1/4" if you prefer) difference in height. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 1:16pm
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Here you go, CR857+ tires. You can get them as Goodrides, Westlakes, Linglongs, Chengshans, or Triangles. $30-$50 each but you have to buy at least 100 pcs. Bet if you buy enough of them you can get them labelled as ST's or anything else you want  .https://rodeotyre.en.made-in-china.com/product/QBvnrzTJadcS/China-Radial-Winter-4X4-Tire-Goodrice-Westlake-Cr857-.html ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 2:01pm
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Those are all labeled LT, but if you can order them in bulk, maybe you can change that too. The LT235/75R15 is load rated at only 900kg, which is quite a bit lower than the ones on our RP-179. Who knows, maybe all the specifications and sidewall marks are written in chalk? ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 3:22pm
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Maybe invisible ink. Nothing would surprise me... ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 4:35pm
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Glue guy, thanks for your math. I thought I would sacrifice more clearance going to the 225's. Based on your calc, I'd lose less than an inch. Good to know. Thanks I once scoured the internet and found a Westlake dealer in Canada that sold the exact replacement for the stock HR tires...but I wanted to find a replacement with a higher load rating, not the exact replacement. Oh well. Sounds like when I want the Westlakes gone, I'll move down to the 225's. Thanks ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: michaeln
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 6:47pm
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I think the stiffer sidewalls of the LRE Goodyear Endurance compared to the stock soft junky HRE tires might actually result in MORE ride height, especially if they are aired up to 70-80psi. ------------- --- Avery, CA |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 6:52pm
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That would be another advantage of the load range D tire; the higher operating pressure. Load range C only goes to 50 PSI, and that means more sidewall deflection regardless of the load rating. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 6:59pm
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On our Vibe we have new Goodyear Endurance tires 225/75/R15 trailer tires load range D 80 psi.
------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: michaeln
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 6:59pm
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The ST225/75R15s I have are load range E. I believe the 14" version is load range D. ------------- --- Avery, CA |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2019 at 7:05pm
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The max you will get with most ST tires is D in 14 inch. 15s E is available. I know I went to D over the supplied Cs and it had a noticeable improvement. I never considered a 15" tire and rim, there is a point where the gain is not affordable or reasonable. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2019 at 6:38am
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It all depends on what your objective is. For Carlisle, the load ratings are:
I'd expect other brands to be similar. You also need to consider the wheel load ratings, a system is only as good as its weakest link. IIRC, the OE 14 inch wheels are only rated for 1750 lbs. In my case (heavy rPod 179) I wanted my tire and wheel load ratings as high as possible without getting into LRE which I've heard concerns about being too stiff and causing excessive trailer vibration. So I bought premounted 15 inch tires and wheels in LRD which gives 2540 lbs for both. $161 each. With what I have to pay here on the OBX to mount tires I almost got the new wheels for free. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2019 at 9:40am
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We run Carlyle 205/14 LRD's, replacing LRC's, and have been real happy with them. It gives a smoother ride from the TV perspective. The trailer seems to track better and the TV seems to work a little less hard. I haven't compared the mileage but it is likely a tad bit better due to the reduced rolling resistance. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2019 at 9:51am
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+1, same positive comments. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2019 at 10:04am
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+2 on the LRD Carlisle 14" which I also have. When I had the LRC tires on, I had someone try to tell me my tires were going flat because of the sidewall flex. They were at the proper pressure. The LRD tires do much better and I don't worry as much about one popping and ripping off a fender.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |