X17Z Tires?

[greobr33]

Hello:

We have a 2012 X17Z with a large trip coming up. So I looked at the tires to check them out. The ID tag on the unit says they should be ST205/75-14 with a load capacity of 1760#

Our unit has ST185/80-13 tires with a load capacity of 1347# Our dry weight alone is 3055#. So the 13s have to go. Our dealer is checking with Jayco to see what up.

What do your X17s have on them?

Thanks for the time,

Greg

[DocBrown]

I'm surprised the load tag shows 14s as stock. The ST185/80-13 are standard stock tires on all the Jayfeather UltraLites. My X20E has them as did our old Kiwi 17a. Keep in mind too that the tongue weight is not calculated in the tire/axle load, although I would think the tire rating would add up to just over 3000#.

[greobr33]

I knew about the tw subtraction but was still surprised that the loading was so low on the tire. I also figured it would be 1500ish per tire not 1350ish.

Dealer also said that 14s seemed big. He has a bunch of X17s on the lot and was going to look at them and see what he could find.

Either way, from what I can find, a 13 load range C is 1350# How can they put them on a single axle 3000# trailer?

Thanks for the reply.

Greg

[DocBrown]

I'll have to look at mine when I get a chance. I never really checked them.

[greobr33]

Maybe they should be load range D tires. 13" Ds are right at 1725# however, 13" load range D aren't that common are they? That is also a nice safety factor load wise.

Thanks,

Greg

[DocBrown]

Trouble is, even if you put a higher load range tire on, the axles are the weak point. The axle capacity will add up with the tongue capacity to exactly the GVWR.

[greobr33]

Yes, we will not exceed the GVWR.

I just heard back from the dealer. The stock size is 185/80-13 but they are Goodyear radials with 1660# rating in load range C. So, the previous owner changed tires on a 1 1/2 -2 year old unit?

So I will look at Goodyear, Carlisle, Maxxis. Should I just go with the 14" set-up and gain some ground clearance or just leave it?

Thanks,

Greg

[DocBrown]

Originally Posted by greobr33

Yes, we will not exceed the GVWR.

I just heard back from the dealer. The stock size is 185/80-13 but they are Goodyear radials with 1660# rating in load range C. So, the previous owner changed tires on a 1 1/2 -2 year old unit?

So I will look at Goodyear, Carlisle, Maxxis. Should I just go with the 14" set-up and gain some ground clearance or just leave it?

Thanks,

Greg

Wow! That's not cool. It came with TowMax tires. Some people change them because of concerns about blowouts (they are Chinese made). But he didn't do himself or his family any favors by buying undersized tires!

Me personally, I would just stick with the 13". Some people go to 14 for the extra clearance like you're thinking, but its personal preference. I've yet to have any issues with either hybrid I've owned, both with 13" tires.

[muelldawg]

Just bought our 3rd set of ST185/80D 13/8 STC HI-RUN.
MAX LOAD 1710 LBS AT 65 PSI

They have worked well for us.

[exjay1]

I replaced the D rated 13" tires on my 165 a few yrs ago and have no issues. I looked into 14" replacements but unless I wanted to put on small lift the tires would get pretty close to the wheel well in a suspension cycle so I stayed at the stock size.

[greobr33]

My only thought with the 14s is better tire options. The original tires were supposedly GY marathons with a loading of 1660#. I can't find that tire. Maxxis' are rated with the marathons I can find, radial and 1480#. Fully loaded and perfectly balanced we would be at 1500# on each tire.

So it looks like a Kenda Loadstar bias in the D range at 1725# is my only option.

What am I missing?

Thanks,

Greg

[muelldawg]

Greobr, I don't believe you are missing anything. 1725 rating is AOK.

[greobr33]

So, in my search for 13" load range D tires I basically found 3 sources. 14" load range C tires have may more options. I am worried about flatting somewhere and having to wait a day or two for a tire.

In checking I have found Pepboys has 14" Kenda loadstar K550 on a rim for $90. I called Jayco to find out the bolt pattern and customer service said that yes my unit did come with 14" tires as stated on the VIN tag. I will have to call my dealer back and ask what the hey. I asked Jayco guy what the stock tire was and he said they were an AJ8 or an AH8 brand. He was not supportive of the OEM tire choice. He was able to semi confirm that the bolt pattern is 5 on 4.5".

Could someone confirm the 5 on 4.5" BC. The documents I have do not reference any info for the hubs. I am leading to just go with the 14" Kendas for now.

Thanks,

Greg

[Ironbutt]

We just completed a 9700 mile trip with our 2012 X17Z. We started with the old 13 inch tires and replaced them halfway with the 13 inch D rated HiRun tires. No problem getting them in Holbrook AZ($69 ea. installed) and they lasted the next 5000 miles to home with the last three days of all day interstate speeds. Most important thing is keeping the tire pressure up to 65lbs. I would stay with the 13 inch OEM type tires.

[David Jay]

I'm a dissenter, but I would go to 14-inch wheels if they'll fit. Sure, you can find 13-inch load range D tires online easily enough, but I don't know of any tire shops that carry them. Camping World doesn't. If they are difficult to find in Denver, imagine what it's like in a more rural area. I got rid of my 13s on my 2010 Jay Feather Sport 165 right after I bought it and I have no regrets. My ST215/75R14 tires are rated to carry more weight at a lower pressure (50 PSI), so they aren't as stressed as the 13s were.

[ryanb-72]

I put a new set of 14" rims and tires on our x17z. The tires are hankook 195r14 load range D and after two 3200 mile trips and several weekend trips the tires still look new. they fit the wheel well great and increased the height of the trailer slightly which improved the ground clearance and the water tank drain height. I really stressed over the extra money spent but after having done it I couldn't be happier. After one 3000 mile trip we wore out the original 13 inch tires, complete junk!

[David Jay]

Originally Posted by ryanb-72

I put a new set of 14" rims and tires on our x17z. The tires are hankook 195r14 load range D...

I'm just curious - what made you decide to go with LRD 195s instead of, say, LRC 205s? The ST205 in LRC is 200 pounds more carrying capacity than the stock ST185 LRD tire.

[ryanb-72]

Originally Posted by David Jay

I'm just curious - what made you decide to go with LRD 195s instead of, say, LRC 205s? The ST205 in LRC is 200 pounds more carrying capacity than the stock ST185 LRD tire.

I chose those over the ST 205s for several reasons.... not saying they are the right reasons but they were my reasons . They were about the same diameter (.2 inches larger). they had a speed rating and the LR D was a stiffer sidewall which at the time I was traveling over some pretty rough roads and felt more comfortable with a heavier sidewall. It seems to ride much smoother than with the originals and the increased sidewall stiffness seems to help decrease trailer sway as well.

[donnajk]

Replaced new worn out tires on our x17z after 3500 miles not overloaded and pressure checked frequently for accuracy. Went to st205/7514 rated 1760lbs. Back from 200 mile trip, fit and performed fine so far.