New tires and rims

[Tanman]

Today I received my new tires and rims for my Voltage. It has been the victim of two different tire blowouts which resulted in the damage to the wheel wells on both sides. The first blowout was OEM Akuret tires.. the second was Maxxis. Both shredded and both bent the rims.
I ordered new tires and rims and went with a 17.5 inch J rated tire. These are some really massive looking tires with a load rating of over 6000 pounds on each tire. This is way over the axle rating of 7000 each but its the tires that blow not the axle. I have several upcoming trips and will keep you posted how the tires do. I think blowouts are a thing of the past with me now.. Oh another positive the tires are rated at 75mph not the normal 60 mph. I hope I made the right move.

[HornedToad]

Originally Posted by Tanman

I hope I made the right move.

You did!!!

[MartyG]

Give us a link, please. Where did you get them?

[Tanman]

Here is the link to the place I used. Trailer Tires and Wheels - Steel & Aluminum Trailer Wheels, Bias & Radial Trailer Tires They were extremely helpful and my tires arrived in 4 days. In conversation with them over a couple days two different people told me they have never had a complaint about a tire failure from people going to the J rated tires on their RV's. Yes it was a few dollars but twice these tires giving out has cost me hours on the side of the road, not to mention the headache and aggravation of being broken down.
The tires came pre-mounted and balanced on the rims so all I need do is install them.. I think its worth looking into if your having blowouts like us or want the comfort and peace of mind it gives. BTW I opted to go with the Continental tire. A real toughie.

[MartyG]

Thanks! I've saved the webpage as a favorite!

[cvining]

Can you post a pic of the new tires/rims mounted?

[xhogboss]

Tanman,

I did the same thing - 17.5 wheels and Continental 215's. A short pull north from Nashville to Bowling Green, and the difference is amazing! No more wiggle going down the road and best of all, I'm not worried about a blowout and the collateral damage. I'm pretty sure you'll be happy with your choice.

[ewacowboy]

Originally Posted by cvining

Can you post a pic of the new tires/rims mounted?

Here's a picture of my Hi-Spec wheel and Continentals:

http://www.dutchmenowners.org/forums...s-1459-28.html

Post #273.

[Tanman]

hogboss when i put them on in the next few days ill shoot a few pics and post them..its just so hot here I am doing anything inside instead of outside..

[arlan in arizona]

Tanman,

Good for you. I'm sure these will treat you right. I made the 17.5 recommendation on this site over a year ago. Not many folks seem interested. Unfortunately I leared of the 17.5's a few weeks after replacing my Acuret tires with Goodyear G614's. Oh well! I am traveling on them as I make this post. Only a few thousand mile left to go.

[donzinger]

Tanman - great choice. I put same setup on my rig before our very first trip with the new trailer last year and have never looked back. Michael was a great help in making my decision.

[Tanman]

Arlan,,, touche' I did the same.. right after buying maxxis i learned of 17.5 tires.. it was too late but i told myself if these maxxis blow im going for the big boys. I think these RV;s are just too much for the tires and not enough safety margin with the weight. I feel its going to take a lot to blow one of these.. they look like semi tires

[DesertRat]

Here is were I got mine.
17.5 in Trailer Rims Aluminum and Steel, Custom and OEM Trailer Wheels. Free Shipping over $75.
I switched over back in 2011 after having all the tire problems on my Teton. Once I bought the Voltage I moved the tires & rims to it. The stock tire from the Voltage are on the Teton . My daughter is living in the Teton in Phoenix. 16" tire made it the 270 miles & now is parked. My 17.5 tires & wheels have about 6-7k miles on them with no problem. I'm running Hankook tires load range H.

[Tanman]

Well crap..today I braved the 100 degree weather to install the new tires and adjust the brakes. After putting on the third tire I noticed my tires were not of the size I wanted. I didnt notice, for failure to look, at the invoice and they sold me 215/75/17.5 instead of 235/75/17.5 tires.. so inside to the computer.. the slightly smaller tire is rated just a couple pounds under 5000 each.. the larger tires are 6000 pounds each..since i had the tires off I installed the newer ones against my wants and wishes. I feel comfortable I think with the 5000 # rating but would feel even better with the 6000# rating.. I guess I screwed myself.. I hate to send the tires back and pay 250 shipping there and back so a moral to the story is make sure one looks at the invoice..

[MartyG]

Sorry to hear that! You have to be really "bummed." Get a cool night's sleep and rethink this in the morning. Yes, it would be a pain to dismount, and reship, but the $250 might be worth it over the long run. I hate living with something less than what I really wanted. Maybe you can convince them that it was not just you, but they made some of the error, and may give you a break on the return. Good luck!

[arlan in arizona]

Originally Posted by Tanman

Well crap..today I braved the 100 degree weather to install the new tires and adjust the brakes. After putting on the third tire

Where are you located? 100 degrees seems pretty normal to us. Living in Arizona at low altitude.

I think I asked you earlier in this post about how many axles you have. I am still wondering.

I'm asking because we are traveling on Goodyear G614's. I know they are a decent tire. At least compared to the China Bombs they replaced.

So as I read it you accidentally ordered the 215's. I would bite the bullet and get what I wanted. I personally would dwell on it forever. Like I am with the G614's.

[Tanman]

Arlan I am running 2 axles rated at 7k each. I did call the company and spoke to the manager. He went over everything and in the end agreed to exchange the tires but I have to re-crate them back up to be sent back...or ....give me a discount for the screw up..
With all that said my "new" tires are rated at 20,000# between the two and the whole axle set up is only 14K and figuring a couple grand for the hitch I am still 4K over the rated weight for the unit and about 6K for the old tires. I suppose I will keep t he wrong tires rather than the problems of returning them..
A few positive comments will help me swallow the pill but if you think I should send them back for a reason other than just because please pipe in and say why.. You wont hurt my feelings..

[DesertRat]

I have the 215/75r-17.5 load range H rated at 4806 lbs each. Not a problem at all with my two axle V3605. Axles rated for 14k total & tires at 19,244lbs. GVWR of my Voltage is 16.5k. I think you should be just fine.

[arlan in arizona]

Tanman,

You should be good with those tires. Unless you overload the hell out of your trailer you will not approach the tire ratings. And I think a shorter sidewall height will be beneficial on any tight turning.

Enjoy your 17.5's and don't worry.

Arlan

[ewacowboy]

[QUOTE=
A few positive comments will help me swallow the pill but if you think I should send them back for a reason other than just because please pipe in and say why.. You wont hurt my feelings..[/QUOTE]

Well....if you're anything like me you'll always have that little nagging voice in your head I'd say you're fine with what you've got. But if it's going to drive you crazy for the next two years - rather than stress over woulda-shoulda-coulda...send them back. I know that doesn't help but you need to be able to be happy and ENJOY your rig.