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Topic ClosedLarger Wheels On 178? - Event Date: 04 Aug 2020

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alandlearned View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: Larger Wheels On 178?
    Posted: 04 Aug 2020 at 10:05am
I have a 2015 Model 178. While the 14-inch wheels are cute they seem dubiously adequate. Can larger wheels be utilized? I mean the fenders appear to be able to accommodate larger wheels. Wouldn't larger wheels and larger tires be safer, last longer, and provide better gas mileage? Has anyone else changed out to larger wheels? Thank y'all. Ying Yang 
2015 R-Pod 178
2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 RST, Crew Cab; Gas V8 5.3L, RWD
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2020 at 10:24am
I do recall some people doing so. The hard part would be matching the bolt pattern which is 5 on 4.5"
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2020 at 11:39am
If you have a lift kit you can go to 15 inch wheels and tires. I did. As StephenH says be sure to get 5 lug wheels. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2020 at 11:59am
My 2015 178 has lift blocks and 15" tires will fit. I considered this but the cost weighed against the benefits didn't seem to add up. Personally I don't think you see the benefits you expect, you're talking about an inch.
Mike Carter
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2020 at 1:13pm
Moving from a 14" LRC tire (1760 lb/tire at 50 psi) to 14@ LRD (2040 lb/tire at 65 psi) to 15" LRD tires (2150 lb/tire at 65 psi) does make sense. Even 15" LRC tires have a higher load rating (1820 lb/tire) compared to the 14" LRC tires that came standard on our 179. Since the 178 is about the same weight as the 179, moving to the 15" LRD tires begins to make a lot of sense. They have more weight capacity. They won't help with fuel mileage but I think they will be less likely to blow out than a 14" LRC tire.


This is not an endorsement of Maxxis tires, but the chart was the first one I came across that had the information in an easily readable format.
StephenH
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2020 at 2:03pm
Originally posted by StephenH

Moving from a 14" LRC tire (1760 lb/tire at 50 psi) to 14@ LRD (2040 lb/tire at 65 psi) to 15" LRD tires (2150 lb/tire at 65 psi) does make sense. Even 15" LRC tires have a higher load rating (1820 lb/tire) compared to the 14" LRC tires that came standard on our 179. Since the 178 is about the same weight as the 179, moving to the 15" LRD tires begins to make a lot of sense. They have more weight capacity. They won't help with fuel mileage but I think they will be less likely to blow out than a 14" LRC tire.
Not all LRC tires are created equal. The 15" LRC tires on our RP179 are rated at 2340 lbs (6-ply rated tires).
bp
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2020 at 2:13pm
Okay. I was quoting from a Maxxis tire site. Agreed that some brands are better and some worse than what I cited.
StephenH
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2020 at 2:58pm
Thanks for the input!  As it turned out, I bought Maxxis steel-belted radials before we started out on our trip up the coast from Florida to Massachusetts last month. I based my purchase on really two factors - one, they were rated for 70 mph. That being admitted to, I set my cruise control to 65 for those nice straight and long stretches. 70 mph gives me peace of mind. Two, they appear to be a trustworthy ride according to a lot of tire reviewers. I also put two Michelin light truck tires on my Grand Caravan to give my tail end a bit of a lift. I really like the steady ride! 

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2020 at 4:23pm
The change for me was to go to LRDs from LRCs. Without the cost of wheels and another set of tires. I agree the C rates my 178 came with seemed an issue. I was never concerned about the inch from a 15" wheel and tire.
Mike Carter
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2020 at 6:56pm
Its not the inch its the load rating. My 15 inch wheels and the LRD tires are both rated for 2540 lbs.  I'll bet the 14 inch wheels FR puts on there are only rated to 1750. As I look at bit, you're only as good as the weakest link. What's the point in having high spec tires on low spec wheels? Just my opinion. 

By buying already mounted tires with wheels I saved the mounting fee and was able to sell the old tires and wheels on CL, otherwise no one would have wanted the old tires because they weren't worth mounting. So I basically got the wheels for free, and just put them on myself. And yes, to me they do look better proportioned to the trailer. 


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