Advantages to Larger Wheel Size for Backroad Driving? Montana Girl Needs Advice

[roughcut]

I just bought a used 2006 Jayco Jayflight 27.5 BHS 5th wheel. Needs new tires. Considering Maxxis since most you seem to recommend these. My trailer has lots of clearance since the axles have been flipped. I am thinking about increasing the wheel size from 15" to 16". Would this be a smart thing to do? I live in Montana and do a lot of back road driving and camping. Any other advice would you have about tires and wheels for this kind of use would be greatly appreciated.

[max2bob]

speaking from experience from driving the roads in montana i can say that the more plys the tire has the better puncture resistance it has. speed is a great factor also, the faster you go the more chances one of those sharp rocks will go through your tire. i have 6 plys on my trailer and driven carefully i have not gotten a puncture yet. with 16 inch wheels i believe you would be able to find some 10ply light truck tires to put on. just make sure your wheel is rated for it. enjoy your new camper

[Seann45]

Bigger tires would be a good thing... just remember to make sure the trailer is LEVEL to the tow vehicle afterwards or you are putting too much weight on one axle.

[RoyBraddy]

X2 on 10-ply tires or more...

My OFF-ROAD POPUP TRAILER has 15-inch tires on it and high clearance. Couldn't get to a few of the places I like to camp at if I didnt have this setup...


Sometimes hard to cross that rock bed mountain stream up on the forest service roads sometimes without high clearance.... Beefed-up sidewalls also a must for us OFF-ROAD guys... My setup will literally go anywhere my 4X4 truck will pull it.


I guess it all depends what you want to do with your trailer setup


The down-under trailers is Australia have it figured out...




I would think there will be alot of things to consider beefing up the standard dual wheel setups on the trailers. Don't just go throw bigger tires on it without looking at all aspects.

Roy Ken

[LiftedAWDAstro]

The only thing to watch is spacing between the wheels. Going to a larger diameter means less space between them. You would be upset if you ordered 4 wheels and tires and found they are too large in diameter.

[roughcut]

Thanks everyone, I found a Maxxis tire in the 15" that is load range E so I am going to stick with the same size. As high as my trailer is I should be able to get around ok with those.