What size tires?

[GalacticSton]

I have a 1983 Sunline T1660, single axle, 17-foot, 1750 weight approx.

The current tires are very old Chinese-made tires that are ST175/80D13 on 5-hole rims that measure 14" inches across

I am going to replace both of the tires and the spare.

After doing a lot of reading online it, I am still not entirely clear which tire brands can be trusted. I do not want Chinese-made tires. What is a good trailer tire in my size range that is $100 per tire or less? (my rims are fine).

Ideally, I'd like something I can buy locally.

Thanks!

[johnnybgood]

I just went to my local independent tire dealer and he put on a Carlise brand to replace my original 1996 spare, which I've heard of but know little about. They're alright I guess. Haven't looked at them to see where they're made. Cost me about $120 per wheel.

You might want to look at E-Trailer.com
Buying 2 ten inch wheels with tires already mounted was cheaper than buying 2 new tires mounted onto my old rims from my local dealer. That was on my old pop-up.

I just stick with whatever size the manufacturer calls for.

[JohnB]

There are not many choices on ST tires to escape China.

That said, there are at least 2 brands with higher reputations of quality.

1. Maxxis radial trailer tires. Many of these are made in Thailand but some may still be China. Discount Tire sells them and other places. This series Trailer, M8008 ST RadialÂ*. You can buy from them now.

2. The new Carlise radial trailer tire. Do not get the older version from a years back. This version ideally is the newest Radial Trail HD

However this version still has many of the fixes to the old issues they had.
Radial Trail RH Trailer Tire

The Carlise are made in China, but it appears from the reports of other campers folks, they have fixed their problems and the quality is held.

Hope this helps

John

[pwb01]

I find no trailer tires with a good rating so I settled for the tires that have a less bad rating if that makes sense. I got Goodyear Marathon and went from class C to D for about $135 each. On the first trip one went flat at the campsite. It wasn't seated properly which I understand can happen with the stiffer Class D.

I've had no problem since and if it's possible, I believe the ride is much smoother than the no names I had for 4 1/2 years. Goodyear Marathons are made in China too perhaps by the one and only tire manufacturer there that puts many names on them.

Let's make trailer tires great again!

[Wannabes]

We got new tires in June, moved up from 14" class C to 15" class D tires and went with Maxxis 8008s, which are made in Thailand. The previous tires were Maxxis, made in China, which the PO had bought and they performed quite well. We do not like buying "Made in China" but, with trailer tires, that's increasingly hard to do.

[GrosJean]

Acquired a 1979 M1350 with 205/75R14 size tires that were difficult to take off and seemed too big for the trailer. What is the correct size for this trailer? Thank you in advance.

[Steve Collins]

Originally Posted by GrosJean

Acquired a 1979 M1350 with 205/75R14 size tires that were difficult to take off and seemed too big for the trailer. What is the correct size for this trailer? Thank you in advance.

In the Files area, you will find a 1979 Sunline Travel Trailer brochure with tire and wheel specs.

[GrosJean]

Thanks
Have decided to move the axle underneath the springs so I can use the larger tires as they ride well and probably will ride better than stock tires.

[Steve Collins]

Originally Posted by GrosJean

Thanks
Have decided to move the axle underneath the springs so I can use the larger tires as they ride well and probably will ride better than stock tires.

There's plenty of info in previous threads on the "axle flip" as it is known.

Presuming that you've got a Dexter axle, you can buy the flip kit from them.

The Dexter manual is in the Files area. It's got everything you need to know about axles, suspensions, and electric trailer brakes.

[dbwiseman]

Originally Posted by johnnybgood

I just went to my local independent tire dealer and he put on a Carlise brand to replace my original 1996 spare, which I've heard of but know little about. They're alright I guess. Haven't looked at them to see where they're made. Cost me about $120 per wheel.

You might want to look at E-Trailer.com
Buying 2 ten inch wheels with tires already mounted was cheaper than buying 2 new tires mounted onto my old rims from my local dealer. That was on my old pop-up.

I just stick with whatever size the manufacturer calls for.

I just called Rural King, they have the 175/80-13 tires ON a RIM for 85.00 ea.

[dbwiseman]

Someone put car tires on my 85 T1950, 175/70R13, several places said this was a no-no for any serious distance hauling or it would keep blowing tires (the spare was flat because the previous owner blew a tire) Everything I've seen so far says that the 175/80-13 is a replacement for the B78-13-B as shown in my camper brochure. I'm going to go to a local shop, Mitchell Brothers. They say they have the 175/80-13 in stock for $ 55.oo ea.

[Newyorkcity]

I have a 1982 15 1/2 SB. It was my Dads and he loved it. He bought it new and we traveled up and down the east coast when I was a kid. My dad got sick and passed away at the end of last year. He has stored the camper upstate NY.He was a Good Sam's member and read all the trailer life magazines since 1982. I'm going to bring it back to NC. I do not know what the SB stands for. I want to put new tires and rims on it. I'm looking for the correct size tires. So it can make the trip safety. Because it meant the world to him & the Amazing memories we had as a family growing up camping.

Thanks
Robert

[GrosJean]

Thanks for all of the input.
Henry

[Steve Collins]

Originally Posted by Newyorkcity

I have a 1982 15 1/2 SB. It was my Dads and he loved it. He bought it new and we traveled up and down the east coast when I was a kid. My dad got sick and passed away at the end of last year. He has stored the camper upstate NY.He was a Good Sam's member and read all the trailer life magazines since 1982. I'm going to bring it back to NC. I do not know what the SB stands for. I want to put new tires and rims on it. I'm looking for the correct size tires. So it can make the trip safety. Because it meant the world to him & the Amazing memories we had as a family growing up camping.

Thanks
Robert

You know, I answered the same question in this thread just a week ago. In the FILES area under Sunline Brochures, there are brochures for every model year of Sunlines ever made. Download the 1982 Sunline Travel Trailer Brochure. It contains all the specs for your trailer including tire size and weights.

As for the SB, if you look at the other models of that year, the letters seem to correspond to bunk beds, dinettes, and similar. But I don't see a consistent pattern. Sunline Fan may have more info on that.

[Sunline Fan]

Originally Posted by Newyorkcity

I have a 1982 15 1/2 SB. It was my Dads and he loved it. He bought it new and we traveled up and down the east coast when I was a kid. My dad got sick and passed away at the end of last year. He has stored the camper upstate NY.He was a Good Sam's member and read all the trailer life magazines since 1982. I'm going to bring it back to NC. I do not know what the SB stands for. I want to put new tires and rims on it. I'm looking for the correct size tires. So it can make the trip safety. Because it meant the world to him & the Amazing memories we had as a family growing up camping.

Thanks
Robert

Hi Robert,

I love all these stories of people inheriting their childhood trailers recently! Very happy to hear you'll keep the memories growing!

That trailer probably has 13" wheels, so the sizes discussed above should apply. Chances are that size won't be on a shelf at a tire store though, you'll probably have to order. They are probably the ST175/80/R13 size.

Your same floorplan was made up until 1996 and was a VERY popular one, probably the most popular Sunline floorplan ever built. They renamed it to the T-1550 in 1983 though. In your case, I think the SB in 15 1/2' SB meant Side Bath or Super Bath. The definitions weren't very clear and changed through the years.