Recommended Replacement Wheels/Tires for 1985 Coleman Tent Trailer

Question:

Good morning. I have a 1985 Coleman Sun Valley tent trailer that weve owned since 1987. I recently re-acquired it back from my kids. In going through the Coleman parts book, it shows the stock tire size as a 20.5 x 8 x 10. It also shows an optional tire size as an A78 x 13 load range C. When I questioned the expert at Coleman popup parts, he was to helpful regarding tires. So after all my jabber, my question is can this 13 inch tire actually replace the 10 inch tire, or is there a bigger size than the 10 inch that you could recommend? The tires have been on since around 2012 and I feel it best to put on some new ones. Your thoughts please. Thanks for your time and assistance.

asked by: Mike R

Expert Reply:

The maximum life span of a trailer tire is typically 5 or so years, so you're absolutely correct in thinking they should be replaced. They're probably pretty cracked up and dry-rotted at this point.

If at all possible, I'd go with the larger size, primarily because you can use a radial tire that will run cooler and more smoothly on the highway. Excessive heat build-up is the number one cause of premature tire failure, so going with a radial tire would be advisable.

If Coleman lists the larger tire as being acceptable, you can feel pretty secure going with that choice. The modern equivalent of the A78 x 13 tire is a 175/80-13. Due to the age of the trailer, I'm guessing you're wanting to go with a basic, inexpensive white powder coated wheel.

If your wheel bolt pattern is 5 on 4-1/2 inches, I'd recommend the # TA73RR which is a 175/80-13 load range C tire mounted on a 13 x 4-1/2 inch wheel.

If you have a 4 on 4 bolt pattern, we don't offer a radial tire mounted on a wheel, but you could always get the wheel and tire separately and have them mounted locally. For a tire, I'd recommend the Taskmaster Provider load range C tire, part # TTWTRTM1758013C along with the Dexstar # AM20222DX 13 x 4-1/2 inch white spoke wheel.