Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


General Hi-Lo camper discussion The perfect place to discuss your Hi-Lo camper
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-22-2017, 02:26 PM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hemet Ca
Posts: 8
Default Can I change tire sizes?

Hello,
I just purchased a 1993 23ft Hi-Lo.
Can I change the 13 inch tires/wheels and put on either 14 or 15 inch?
Thank you for your help.
Regards,
David
__________________

DNeitzke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2017, 06:52 PM   #2
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,511
Default

Welcome to the forum! I don't know the answer to your question though.

If a larger wheel (rim) means a larger diameter tire, you need to see if it will still clear the top of your wheel well when the axle is bounced up, and if the tires will clear each other. Also, a larger diameter tire is probably wider, so is there width clearance in the wheel well?

You can find the diameters and widths of tires online - I believe Discount Tire or Tire Rack publishes these dimensions. Then, you have to measure your wheel wells and the distance between your tires.

I was able to put larger wheels and tires on my trailer by having a spacer between the frame and the axle added. The axle was also moved forward 3" which provided clearance from the step well on the curb side.

- Jack
__________________

__________________
Hi-Lo 1707T - Tire Minder TPMS on Tow Vehicle and Trailer, 300W Solar Battery Charger, Equal-i-zer WDH, Progressive Dynamics Converter, Fan-Tastic Fan, LiFePO4 battery 12V DC Electrical System
2014 F150 Platinum 4x4 3.5L EcoBoost SCrew
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2017, 10:22 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: ohio
Posts: 454
Default

why would you want to? why go with bigger tires that are alot harder to change? just wondering? oh yeah forgot yada yada! lol
maestro123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2017, 09:48 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Colorado
Posts: 186
Default

Maestro - bigger tires mean smoother/easier hauling, better load handling, less risk of failure due to big bumps/potholes, easier transition over low spots, better clearance, etc.

Look around at cars - have you noticed wheel size has grown dramatically over the last 30 years? Ever wonder why?
KnottyRig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2017, 10:01 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
hilltool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,256
Default

I tried switching from 13s to 14s on my 2201. We ran into difficulties with the increased width that went with the increased diameter. WE got them on one side but not the other- and the difference was just 1/16in. Meaning- the wheel hubs on one side were 1/16 further out from the inside of the wheel well than the other. So there wasn't much room for error and even if the axles had been perfectly mounted- that would have left only 1/32 per side to play with. So----in my case, I couldn't do it. I was hoping for the extra 1 inch in lift and maybe pick up 1-1/2 mile per gal mileage----but they wouldn't fit. Went with a
d rated 13 radial and they have worked well. Later models had more room built into the wheel wells but if you have a model with original 13s- my guess is you will have to stay there unless you make serious modifications.

Rick
__________________
2201 TL

2010 Nissan Titan king cab SE
4x4
hilltool is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2017, 11:03 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: ohio
Posts: 454
Default

i see your point. you are right! all you say is true, but in my situation 15's were not good,
but take a look at my pics on my thread and what i had to do to change a 15" on that. i went to 14's and skinnier. the tires on it were a nitemare. yea the new vehicle tires are way bigger but most are low profile. also they last longer due to less revolutions driving. i would have kept the 15's till i saw what they were doing to my wheel wells and then trying to change othem u have to let the air out of the tires to get them on and off on my camper. thanks
maestro123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2017, 08:26 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Colorado
Posts: 186
Default

Yep - every trailer is a little different Maestro - some you cna upgrade the wheels, some don't have the room (like yours).

It's all do what you can with what you got!
KnottyRig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2017, 08:31 PM   #8
sam
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Niagara Falls,NY
Posts: 4,036
Default changing tire size

The family that had my HiLo before me owned a tire shop and had changed the tires. One tire was clearly defective and was rubbing the wheel well. A little wider tire didn't work. Had to fix the rub spot on the wheel well.
sam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2017, 10:23 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: ohio
Posts: 454
Default

ain't that the truth, and i aint got much to work with lol!
maestro123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2017, 12:05 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 164
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by KnottyRig View Post
Maestro - bigger tires mean smoother/easier hauling, better load handling, less risk of failure due to big bumps/potholes, easier transition over low spots, better clearance, etc.

Look around at cars - have you noticed wheel size has grown dramatically over the last 30 years? Ever wonder why?
For looks. Usually the overall tire diameter and width is similar but they keep using bigger wheels with lower profile tires. This is great if you have a Mustang or Corvette and want the ultimate in handling and care little about ride. Also sometimes it is for bigger brakes but I don't know anything normal that requires more than an 18" wheel or a properly designed 17" wheel. I've had cars/trucks with optional big wheels like 20" and they always ride worse, have lower performance, get worse mileage, and go through brake pads faster than the standard 17" wheel.

Somebody mentioned improved economy with larger trailer tires. That won't happen, if anything it will be worse. Every inch you raise the trailer you increase the frontal area 3/4 of a square foot. Also the smaller wheels usually have lower rolling resistance, look at what they have used on the Prius where economy is the primary goal.
Hersbird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2017, 01:29 PM   #11
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,511
Default

Hersbird, I totally agree with you on larger tires causing an effective increase in frontal area. Even though the frontal area of the trailer doesn't actually change, there is a larger space underneath where turbulent drag increases. AND, you lift the front of the trailer relative to the Tow Vehicle, which puts that lifted front into the slipstream and out of the stagnation zone behind the TV.

I also agree that larger wheels on cares and trucks don't really do much except change the looks.

However, I think since a larger trailer tire spins at a lower RPM, I think it may actually have a lower rolling resistance than the smaller tire. The resistance to rotation drops as rotational speed decreases. I grant though, that a larger tire "footprint" may counter that small gain.

I DO know that a larger trailer tire will suffer a lower heat buildup since the rotational speed is less. It should wear longer for the same reason. AND, a biggie (for me) - the larger trailer tire has a significantly higher weight bearing rating.

- Jack
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2017, 01:24 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 164
Default

Agreed, 13's are a little small for a travel trailer, 14's are probably OK especially if you pick a higher load rating, 15's are about ideal for anything short of a massive 5th wheel which probably needs 16" 8 lug wheels and E range tires. Our work trucks (the USPS) run LT 195/75/14s for the last 30 years on 1/2 ton box vans, a fleet of 150,000 with millions of miles, and tires just aren't a problem.
Hersbird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-02-2017, 08:26 AM   #13
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hemet Ca
Posts: 8
Default

Thank you all for the input.
I decided to stick with the stock size.
DNeitzke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2017, 01:32 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: ohio
Posts: 454
Default

good choice! my change from 15's 275's to 14's 195;s couldln't be/get any better the 275's WAY TOO BIG FOR 15 FOOTER!
__________________

maestro123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hi-Lo Trailers Worldwide or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:32 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
HiLoTrailerForum.com Copyright 2010
×