Replacement tire question....
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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=8642
Printed Date: 25 Jun 2025 at 7:55pm
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Topic: Replacement tire question....
Posted By: jcphotog
Subject: Replacement tire question....
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2016 at 1:25pm
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I have a 2012 RP177 that I purchased last spring. It is the Hood River edition with the gnarly off road tires. These tires seem a bit senseless to me as there is really no need for such a tire on a travel trailer, and I would assume that the rolling resistance is greater, theoretically detracting from my mpg. So....I'm thinking about replacing them with a good trailer tire. The size of these tires is 235/75-15, which is not a size available trailer tires. The closest size is 225/75-15 which is a bit smaller. Has anybody else on this forum made this switch? Is the size close enough not to be a big deal....? Thanks in advance.... JC
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Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2016 at 7:25pm
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I don't see any issue, you will lose 10mm (.4 inch) in width, and about 2mm in ride height.
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2016 at 10:32pm
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The difference in mpg will be unmeasurable. Keep them until they age out. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: jcphotog
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2016 at 1:39pm
| And "age out" would be what, 5 years....? It's been about that as the first owner bought it in 2011..... |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2016 at 4:15pm
There is some controversy in the tire world about that. MOST recommend 5 years, some 6 and a few, with no evidence as to why think 7 is OK. We did ours at 5 1/2 or so. If you loose a tire at speed, you loose a fender too.. and sometimes more. The date code of manufacture is on the side of your tires. ------------- |
Posted By: kylekai
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2016 at 5:29pm
I almost purchased that size tire, but then I remembered I'd have to get a new spare tire also because running that size tire with a larger sized spare tire may cause harm. This post explains what I ended up with: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8355&KW=&PID=79901&title=tire-or-axle-noise#79901 - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8355&KW=&PID=79901&title=tire-or-axle-noise#79901 ------------- |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2016 at 5:37pm
On a non-drive axle, as a temporary spare/situation, no worries at all, it's a minuscule difference in size. ------------- |
Posted By: kylekai
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2016 at 5:39pm
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Also a smaller tire = less ground clearance. Important (to me) when going off the pavement. ------------- |
Posted By: bjk
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2016 at 8:53pm
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I'm curious, do people rotate their TT tires (including the spare)?
------------- 2016 HRE R-179 "CapPODccino" 2011 F-150 SLX |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2016 at 8:07am
Never heard of a Podder doing it. I have read a few double or triple axles Airstream owners claim they do it. We never have. ------------- |
Posted By: bjk
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2016 at 12:55pm
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Given the discussion, it sounds like age will get the tires before wear so there isn't a need. But I thought I'd ask just in case I was wrong. ------------- 2016 HRE R-179 "CapPODccino" 2011 F-150 SLX |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2016 at 10:39pm
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Yup, even heavy travelers would be hard-pressed to take the tread off before 5-6 years. We put nearly 20,000 miles on ours over the 5 years we owned ours and there was plenty of tread left. I would have replaced the tires the next year only because of age. I would have kept the older spare. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: jcphotog
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2016 at 12:28pm
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Thanks for all the great advice! As the tire size difference is negligible, I would rather get actual trailer tires (as opposed to car tires), as it would seem the rig would tow better and be safer. Most trailer tires are 10-ply (as opposed to 4 on the current ones), and have a better payload capacity. Think I'm going to go with these Hercules that I can get locally: https://www.amazon.com/Hercules-Power-75R15-117L-68146/dp/B006UH6U9M
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2016 at 4:53pm
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Trailer radials are the way to go. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2016 at 5:20pm
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+1
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2016 at 9:05am
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Most trailer tires are 6, 8, or 10 ply rating. That does not mean that they contain 6, 8, or 10 plies. It just means that the 2 or 3 plies they contain are as strong as 6, 8, or 10 plies (learned from Goodyear's tire site).
------------- 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: ChetC
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 10:09pm
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I can help here as my business puts me in contact with actual, factory tire representatives. I have learned the following... 1. Trailer tires should be replaced every 15,000ish miles or 4-5 years, whichever comes first. The reason is that on a trailer, the tires are an "active" part of the suspension. That is to say, they flex much more than a passenger vehicle tire, thus the carcass of the tire usually wears out before the tread shows any wear. The year recommendation is simply due to weathering of the tire (age cracks, etc...) that may occur over time. If you have less than 15,000 miles and see no evidence of weathering, it is safe to use the tires longer than 5 years. A lot depends on the storage of your trailer. 2. It is not beneficial to purchase a higher ply tire than originally came on the trailer and in fact can be the opposite. Again, this is because the tires are an "active" part of the suspension. If you increase plys, you increase the sidewall stiffness and reduce the flex which results in a rougher ride for your trailer and may result in poorer towing behavior from your trailer. If, however, the tires are not stiff enough for your trailer, the sidewalls will heat excessively and may blow out. As far as rating, stick with whatever came on the trailer from the factory. Having said that, I regularly go over the 15,000 mile limit, but then again I tow more than 40,000 miles in a year's time and a vast majority of my miles are highway. Generally speaking, I replace my tires once at the halfway point of my year. I also regularly tow at speeds up to 75mph. I know speeds of over 65mph are generally not recommended for trailer tires, but I have yet to have an issue. When purchasing tires, I go with whatever brand the tire shop has a deal on at the time. Again, (knock on wood), I've never had an issue.
------------- Former 2017 rPod 180 owner Now in a 2019 Little Guy MAX Full timer who logs more than 35,000 miles per year. |