17.5 wheels/tires

[jking]

I see some have switched out to 17.5 Sailuns. I understand they are rated at 4800 lbs. Any other compelling reasons to do so? The weak link would still be the OEM suspension anyway, right?

[jcurtis934]

These are load range h wheels and tires that are very rugged in design and are regrooveable. The main thought is to put a tire in contact with the road surface that can handle serious abuse served to us by the great roads we drive on now days.

[WeBeFulltime]

That would put you at 9,600 lbs tires on a 7,000 lb axle. I don't see that as necessary. Whatever floats your boat though. :hornets:

[lostshakerofsalt]

I have an SOB that came with 17.5 inch Goodyear G114 H rated tires. My 5th wheel weighs out at >19,000 lbs and with >32,000 miles on the tires there is still plenty of tread. So from my point of view, if I get 60,000 miles out of the tires it will more than pay for the price differential. Plus the piece of mind that there has to be something really bad on the road to damage the tires. The only real drawback I can see is the weight of the wheels. As I recall the mounted G614s weighed around 80-85 lbs each and the 17.5 G114s weigh closer to 95 lbs (or so I have been told, I have yet to have to change one).

[twindman]

Do the 17.5 tires fit inside the wheel wells? I didn't think there was too much extra room in the Montanas.
Thanks.

[jking]

I haven’t been under the rig yet to look, but would’t I rig with a 16000 gvwr need double 8 k axles vs 7K ?

[Dam Worker]

As far as I know Jim the correct answer to your question would be no. Remember that approxamently 20% of Fifthwheel is king pin hitch weight. So in theory if I got my math correct you can subtract 3200 lbs off of your axles. If we do upgrade our next unit will have the 8k axles but way around 19k instead of 16k.
Happy roads to you.

Tom Marty

[Texan]

I see some have switched out to 17.5 Sailuns. I understand they are rated at 4800 lbs. Any other compelling reasons to do so? The weak link would still be the OEM suspension anyway, right?

The new sailuns are rated at 4400 pounds. The tires would probably not be as much of an issue as the wheels. Just because someone increases there tires or suspension does not increase your gvwr. If you were 16,000 gvwr before the mods then you are still 16,000 gvwr after the mods. You do have a larger safety factor with the increase in suspension and tires but to be able to carry much more than the factory gvwr then you would need to increase the size of your frame. Moble Suites has 15'' frame compared to our 12'' frame and the 8,000 pound I.S. along with the 17.5'' wheels and tires. If you have g rated tires then you are just as safe as an Mobile Suite with there increased frame and suspension.