I have a 2005 Nordic trailer with 215R 75R14 tires that are 26.7" outside diameter. I want to replace these with a high speed rated Kumho tire which only comes closest with a 205 80R14 tire (27" outside diameter). The current size tire is already rather close to the trailer fenders. Nordic stopped making this trailer in house and could not tell me if the 205 tire would clear the fender under max suspension movement on a 2005 trailer. Has anyone used a 205 75R14 or a 205 80R14 tire on a 2005 or older Nordic Rage trailer (later vintage trailers may have different fender clearance)?

Both fender systems were badly damaged when right and left rear tires blew so I am unsure what the tire to fender clearance will be when new fenders are installed. Can any one give me the tire to fender clearance on a 2005 or older Nordic Rage trailer?

Can you have the new fenders mounted higher? Should not be that difficult of a task. All you need is another 1/2" of clearance to have the same distance as original?

I'd also look into swapping out to 15" tires: overall just a better setup. There are more 15" tires out there than 14", especially in an emergency. Maxxis makes a tire that is the same 27" OD you are looking at.

http://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-1...al-m8008#sizes

Do a search here on Maxxis Tires. You will find that Maxxis is the most trusted ST tire brand out there, across boat trailers and RV trailers as well. I did a lot of digging and research on this. On the one trailer I have which I decided was best for ST tires, I moved from 14" LoadStar bias-ply to 15" Maxxis steel-belted-radial tires.

I thought about raising the fenders but the Nordic trailer is a custom design and it would require considerable metal rework of fore and aft portions where the fender abuts and attaches to allow the increase in fender height. I am sure the Maxxis is a fine trailer tire but it is only rated for 65 mph as are all but the Kumho 857 trailer tire based on what I have been able to find so far. The Kumho is rated at 99 mph, not that I intend to run that fast but definitely over 65mph.

The more I think about it the diff in tire size is minimal compared to how bent up everything is..

All I need is the clearance dimension between the top center of the tire to the bottom surface of the fender on a 2005 or older Nordic Rage trailer WITH THE RAGE ON THE TRAILER so I have a reference to work from when installing new fenders.

just measured mine, 2 1/8-2 1/4, I leveled the trailer sitting on level ground, running 215/75/14, perfect fenders, never damaged

Thank You Blownhammer!

I can't help with your question, but I can vouch for the Kumho trailer tire. I've used them (2 sets) for the past 8 years on a 16' enclosed trailer (gross weight at about 7500 lbs). And I've had extremely good luck and good tire wear.

I was ready to order the 205 80R14 Kumho 857 tires when I checked the rim width specs. My rims are 7" and the Kumho does not go that wide so that is a bust. I got a set of Goodyear Marathon's. They are made in China as are almost all trailer tires even the size Kumho I wanted to buy. The two smaller size Kumho 857's are made in Korea. The Goodyear's can be run at 75 mph if inflated to 60 psi per the Goodyear PSB #2014-01 attached. Best I can do with out replacing all the wheels with 6" rims.

Thanks for the help.

If the difference in tire size is .3" on the diameter, then the taller one is only .15" closer to the fender. Thats 5/32"