Tire Size ?

[RonD]

I plan on replacing my tires very soon with LT tires. The stock ST tire is 235/80/16, in LT tires I know the LT235/85/16 will work, but there 1/2 inch taller than whats on the Montana, I can get a LT245/75/16 that isn't any taller, but a little wider. Is anyone running the 245 tire?, I am guessing they will fit fine, I just don't want any rubbing on the plastic fender, the Montana with the front mounted AC is 13'4" tall, I don't want to add even a half inch more to that, so that is my reason for the lower tire profile, thanks Ron

[NCFischers]

Ron,
Hopefully, Lonnieb can answer your question. If the tires are 1/2" taller you would add 1/4" to the height. I'll forward the e-mails that I exchanged with Lonnie. He was very helpful. One other thing, will the 245 tires accept 6 inch rims?
Jim

[camper4]

I changed to 235/85 LT's. All is good.

[8e3k0]

The 235/85 X 16 Lts will work with no problems on your unit. We made the change and there is lots of room in the fender wells etc.
The Lt tires even look better!!LOL

[RonD]

According to a tire calculator I found the stock Montana tire has a radius of 15.4 inches, the 235/85/16 tire is 15.9 inches, I know its only a half inch, but with the front AC unit I would prefer to see if a 245/75/16 will work, thanks Ron

[CamillaMichael]

Have you checked to ensure your LT tires will carry the weight your ST tires currently handle?

[RonD]

The existing tires are E rated load rated at about 3500 pounds, the axle in the Montana is rated at 6000 pounds, the trailer is rated GVWR of 14400 pounds, it weighs loaded at about 13500, the pin weight is about 2700, so that nets 10800-11000 riding on the tires, most E rated LT tires I have looked at are rated about 3050 pounds each, that leaves me a safety margin of about 10%, Ron

[LonnieB]

Ron,

The LT245/75R16 load range E WILL work on your trailer, as will the LT235/85R16 load range E. They are both rated for a maximum load of 3042 pounds, and your trailer weight falls well within that. You also have more than a 10% margin, as the tire itself has a "built in" margin from the manufacturer.

Sorry it took so long to post on this, it's been hectic around here the last few weeks.

[RonD]

Lonnie, thanks, I looked up on the tire, wheel size chart, the LT245/75/16 tire take a min 6.5" rim, the Montana has a 6" rim. All my years of cars and Hot Rods tells me that extra 1/2 inch will only maybe cause the center of the tire to wear a little more, but on a trailer I am a little in the dark, maybe I should just go with the 235/85/16 tire, what do you think?, thanks Ron

[LonnieB]

That other half inch isn't going to do anything that you will ever notice. A 6.5 inch wide wheel isn't mandated by the tire mfgr., only recommended.