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Old 03-16-2004, 04:30 PM   #1
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Caravel Tires

Turns out my 490 date stamp is not the year 2000, rather 1990. 2000 would be 4900. The tires have lots of tread but are showing some beginning cracking between the treads, so out they go. With only two wheels I'm not taking a chance on old rubber.

The local tire guru suggested using a 225/75R15 instead of the 205's. 28.5 inches high rather than 27.5 and 8.3 wide instead of 7.8. But 2540 lbs instead of 1820. 205's are C while 225's come in D's. I'm working on finishing an order for a new 3500lb axel from Andy and it sure seems the 225's would work fine with a increased axel angle.

Are any of you late 66-68 Caravel owners running 225's. Also what it the wheel size you are using.
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Old 03-16-2004, 04:33 PM   #2
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Tire 6.70x15 LT (8ply)
Do not use a radial, use a bias ply.

Keith
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Old 03-16-2004, 04:45 PM   #3
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What size tires are on your trailer now? If you have the 7.00/15 tires, the 225's are the closest radial size to that.
Just make sure of your weight rating and inflation pressures.
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Old 03-16-2004, 05:06 PM   #4
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Mine is running 205/75R15, which is what the previous owner had on it. I can't imagine going any bigger in either direction, it's such a tight fit in the wheelwell as is. It was such a bear to wriggle it out for the bearing maintenance.

I haven't read up on weight ratings, I assume that means each tire is rated to carry 1820 lbs? Because that would still exceed the capacity of even the 3500 lb axel if I understand it right. Of course, if you're buying an axel from Andy, just ask him what to do for tires. I'm sure he knows better than anyone - well better than me anyway
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Old 03-16-2004, 05:24 PM   #5
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I recently ran accross a set of rims that are alloy and rated 2540lb. That's what I'm going with.

I'll also be running "D" rated tires, probably the Good Years.

http://www.rjays.com/Wheels/hi-spec-wheels-01.htm
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Old 03-16-2004, 06:36 PM   #6
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225/75-15's

That's the size tires that I run on mine. Don't know if they were the original size, the PO put them on. They do not give you alot of clearence room but with over 3000 miles logged on them I have never had a problem. Running empty or loaded everything has been fine. They are a 8 ply trailer tire and I am running with the original axle. (since it still has the correct angle)

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Old 03-16-2004, 07:37 PM   #7
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Why not radials trailer tires?
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Old 03-16-2004, 07:41 PM   #8
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Those are awful pretty wheels for so old a trailer.
Which ones you going for. I like the directional ones... make me look fast.

Do you have the 5 5.5 hubs?
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Old 03-16-2004, 08:05 PM   #9
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bias ply vs. radial

The following info is from this TRAILER TIRE ARTICLE:

Bias Ply - Poly or Nylon cords crisscross the tire from bead to bead with the same number of ply at both tread and sidewalls, providing stiffer sidewalls and more resistance to sway.

Radial - Radial Plies run at right angles straight across the tire from bead to bead with belts (usually steel wire) under the tread. This provides excellent traction holding tread to road during swerving or turning. These are very important features for controlling a car or truck, but the flexible sidewalls of this type of tire may aggravate trailer sway problems when this type of tire is installed on a trailer.


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Old 03-16-2004, 08:11 PM   #10
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radial tires

Just have a semi pass you going 80 with radial tires on your trailer and you never use them again.

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Old 03-16-2004, 08:49 PM   #11
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Now you all have made it complicated again. First off at 80 the semi isn't going to be passing me very often. But I do see your logic.

I haven't had much of a semi problem so far. I think the truck tires may be as much an issue as the trailer, esp since there are four of them. I have those German tire on the truck.
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Old 03-17-2004, 10:41 AM   #12
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Aren't the Goodyear Marathons radials?
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Old 03-17-2004, 11:35 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally posted by Stefrobrts
Aren't the Goodyear Marathons radials?
Good point Steph. I have GY ST225/75/R15's on my Caravel because that's what I saw recommended on other threads.
Now it seems that ST225/75/D15 would be the preferred tire.

Does anyone know what Airstream equips the new trailers with?

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Old 03-17-2004, 11:40 AM   #14
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I was in your shoes last year, so here is what I'd recommend,

-Call Cordovan Tires at 1-800-238-6469 - see web site:
http://www.cordovantires.com/index_1.html

-Ask about availibility of the
Powerking Premium Super BF34 (6 ply)

(As of today, my 6.70x15 are available (but not listed on the web site.)

-Ask for the name of a distributor in your area.
-Call distributor and ask for name of a local dealer who can order the tire.
(Neither the distributor or dealer will have ever heard of this tire, but who cares as long as the fitment is correct.)

I paid $59.00 for the each tire last year.

There are other bias plys around, but this is the easiest one to get. (Every tire dealer tries to sell a radial, they don't understand the advantages of the bias ply for a travel trailer.)

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Old 03-17-2004, 11:57 AM   #15
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I've got to say I don't think I'm going to go out of my way to switch to bias ply tires. In my case anyway, we're talking about a very small trailer, a very big tow vehicle, and friction sway control on the hitch. We had many situations last year where huge semis and motorhomes blew by us and we had not the slightest bit of sway from the trailer.

I am looking to get a new set of tires for our big trip in two months, but I think I'll stick with just replacing with what it's got on it now. Also, last year I bought a new spare, and it's a radial Marathon. I wouldn't want to be forced to mix and match if I got a flat.
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Old 03-17-2004, 07:27 PM   #16
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Wheel center hub?

Sure haven't standardize wheels have they. I'm looking at wheels and measuring mine and we have 5 on 4.5 15 inch 5 inch wheels. Thats the easy part. The center hub is slightly less than 2.5 which would seem to be the 2.30 size wheel. Anyone have any prior knowledge about this part.
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Old 10-22-2004, 04:38 PM   #17
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Just purchased a "68" 17' Caravel. Must completly restore/redo the inside. Would enjoy hearing about your unit (even some pictures) or, I travel to Kelso on occasions and could stop by for a peek. Have very little experience in RV's and fixin them. Your knowledge would be appriciated.

Jerry Cavens
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Old 10-22-2004, 07:37 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stefrobrts
I haven't read up on weight ratings, I assume that means each tire is rated to carry 1820 lbs? Because that would still exceed the capacity of even the 3500 lb axel if I understand it right. Of course, if you're buying an axel from Andy, just ask him what to do for tires. I'm sure he knows better than anyone - well better than me anyway
The weight rating is per tire, for single-wheel applications. If you have some kind of macho, he-man Airstream with dual wheels per axle, the weight rating per tire is about 10% less, or 90% of 1820, x2, or 3276 pounds per pair, or 6552 pounds per axle . I don't think any of us will have that problem .
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Old 10-23-2004, 06:02 AM   #19
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Over59 wrote:
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First off at 80 the semi isn't going to be passing me very often.
They will if you ever tow on I-75 in Florida.
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Old 10-24-2004, 06:22 PM   #20
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Over59 wrote:

They will if you ever tow on I-75 in Florida.
When do they go that slow???
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