19' or 23' for Trailer Newbie?

[Steamy1]

I am considering moving up from our 19' Bambi to a 23FB, mostly due to the bed access from three sides and additional storage space. my one concern are the tires and wheels; it has 15" wheels. Can the tires and wheels be upgraded to 16" Michelins?

We have fixed up the Bambi and really reluctant to part with it, but he extra space and bed access is a big consideration.

[mutcth]

Originally Posted by Steamy1

I am considering moving up from our 19' Bambi to a 23FB, mostly due to the bed access from three sides and additional storage space. my one concern are the tires and wheels; it has 15" wheels. Can the tires and wheels be upgraded to 16" Michelins?

IIRC, the 23FB has a 14" wheel and five-bolt hub like my 23' front L-lounge. When I upgraded my trailer's rolling stock, I wasn't able to find 16" trailer wheels with a five-bolt pattern; they are six-bolters.

This doesn't mean you can't upgrade. I went to 15" wheels and a set of Nokian tires made for European delivery vans with an increased load rating. No issues in 15,000 miles.

Tom

[field & stream]

The 23' is the only Airstream that comes with 14" wheels -- because it is the smallest double-axle trailer it has the least weight per axle. Like mutcth, because we were not comfortable with either the wheel size of the Marathon tires, we upgraded to 15" Sendel wheels but went with Michelin P235/75-15XL LTX M/S2 tires. Better ride, and peace of mind.

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by field & stream

The 23' is the only Airstream that comes with 14" wheels -- because it is the smallest double-axle trailer it has the least weight per axle. Like mutcth, because we were not comfortable with either the wheel size of the Marathon tires, we upgraded to 15" Sendel wheels but went with Michelin P235/75-15XL LTX M/S2 tires. Better ride, and peace of mind.

Thanks for correcting the wheel size. I did not know that Airstream used a 14" wheel. We have been very pleased with the 16" upgrade to our Bambi and wanted to do the same to the 23FB. We used an American Outlaw II wheel for the Bambi. I see that American offers two 5-bolt sizes in a 16" x 8" wheel: 5x135.00 and 5x139.7, backspacing 4.5. any idea if either of these would work? It looks like there is clearance between the tires and the wheel well, though not sure about the width at the top.

I think we definitely want the 16" wheels due tot he choice of tires available and the availability of a load range E.

[field & stream]

Hi Steamy1 -- I can't answer the question about the wheel spec's, but perhaps contacting Airstream Customer Support at (877) 596-6505would be one good source. Also not sure about tire clearances, but the 15" combo does not leave a lot of room. Once again due to the low weight per axle, load range E tires may be overkill and load range D tires will give a better ride. I am far from being an expert, but hopefully these thoughts are helpful.

[TinTin]

Originally Posted by Steamy1

Thanks for correcting the wheel size. I did not know that Airstream used a 14" wheel. We have been very pleased with the 16" upgrade to our Bambi and wanted to do the same to the 23FB. We used an American Outlaw II wheel for the Bambi. I see that American offers two 5-bolt sizes in a 16" x 8" wheel: 5x135.00 and 5x139.7, backspacing 4.5. any idea if either of these would work? It looks like there is clearance between the tires and the wheel well, though not sure about the width at the top.

I think we definitely want the 16" wheels due tot he choice of tires available and the availability of a load range E.

Steamy1:

I upsized our wheels from 14 to 15 inch this summer. If you are considering upgrading 14 to 16 inch on a 23FB, I'm almost certain it won't work due to inadequate room in the wheel well front and back. Even if there were room, it would be unwise to do a two inch wheel/tire upgrade without upgrading the OEM 10 inch brakes.

You'll be happy with the 15 inch wheels/tires, you will have plenty of weight capacity and safe and capable tires.

[Steamy1]

Thanks everyone. looks like the 15" is probably the best option if we move forward with the 23FB. We installed a Dexter lift kit on our Bambi, and it raised the trailer about 2", as measured at the wheel well; has anyone installed a lift kit on a 23?

[interstateflyer]

I put Michelin P235/75R15 LTX M/S2 load range XL and Sendel T03 wheels on our 2014 23D just after purchasing the trailer. Got everything at America's Tire (Discount Tire). These are the wheels Airstream pairs with Michelins on the Eddie Bauer.

[Steamy1]

on looking at a photo, it looks like there would be sufficient clearance to go to 16", especially if a lift kit was installed.
<LI class=photoThumb>

[TinTin]

Steamy1:

Can't help you with regard to lift kits, whether they're a good idea or not. Regarding fit, the attached picture shows 15 inch wheels (without centre caps yet) on my unit, very tight especially toward the front (left).

When I was doing my wheel/tire research, I did read a number of reports regarding wheel upsizing and brakes. If you were to decide to try the 16 inch wheels, it would be advisable to go with new hubs and 12 inch brakes. The 2" increase in wheel size may cause overheating of the original 10 inch brakes. Nearly every source I read suggested that one inch increase should not require any change in brakes.

YRMV.

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by interstateflyer

I put Michelin P235/75R15 LTX M/S2 load range XL and Sendel T03 wheels on our 2014 23D just after purchasing the trailer. Got everything at America's Tire (Discount Tire). These are the wheels Airstream pairs with Michelins on the Eddie Bauer.

any idea what the Load Index "108" translates into total pounds of carrying capacity? I dug around the Michelin website but could not seem to find a conversion table. With using an alpha "load range", it gives actual pounds of load carrying capacity.
Also, which SenDel Item Number wheel did you go with?

Many thanks,

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by TinTin

Steamy1:

Can't help you with regard to lift kits, whether they're a good idea or not. Regarding fit, the attached picture shows 15 inch wheels (without centre caps yet) on my unit, very tight especially toward the front (left).

When I was doing my wheel/tire research, I did read a number of reports regarding wheel upsizing and brakes. If you were to decide to try the 16 inch wheels, it would be advisable to go with new hubs and 12 inch brakes. The 2" increase in wheel size may cause overheating of the original 10 inch brakes. Nearly every source I read suggested that one inch increase should not require any change in brakes.

YRMV.

Attachment 230729

Thanks for the valuable info. looks like I should abandon the 16" obsession and go with the 15". Appreciate the insight and photo.

[TinTin]

Originally Posted by Steamy1

any idea what the Load Index "108" translates into total pounds of carrying capacity? I dug around the Michelin website but could not seem to find a conversion table. With using an alpha "load range", it gives actual pounds of load carrying capacity.
Also, which SenDel Item Number wheel did you go with?

Many thanks,

Load rating on the 15 inch Michelin LTX is 2150 lbs at 50 psi. For trailer use you have to downgrade the weight rating by 10% which takes you to 1935 lbs.

[field & stream]

Hi Steamy1 - TinTin makes a good point about the load capacity of the 15" tires relative to the weight of the 23' trailer. The gross weight of your trailer is only 6,000 pounds, or 1,500 pounds per wheel fully loaded. Plus, several hundred pounds of this are transferred to the TV as hitch weight. Therefore, the 15" wheel/tire combo gives you way more than enough safety margin.

[Steamy1]

Many Thanks for the valuable information. It seems like a high percentage of discussion topics somehow morph into a tire/wheel/TowVehicle/bike rack/hitch discussion.......

[field & stream]

Steamy1 -- to correct possible confusion on my last post about load per wheel: the load per wheel on your current 19' (4,500 pound) trailer is 2,250 per wheel. On the 23' (6,000 pound) it is only 1,500 pounds per wheel.

That is why the 15" wheel/tire setup is more than enough for the 23', and of concern to some on single axle Airstreams and the larger models.

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by field & stream

Steamy1 -- to correct possible confusion on my last post about load per wheel: the load per wheel on your current 19' (4,500 pound) trailer is 2,250 per wheel. On the 23' (6,000 pound) it is only 1,500 pounds per wheel.

That is why the 15" wheel/tire setup is more than enough for the 23', and of concern to some on single axle Airstreams and the larger models.

Got it! Thanks for the detail. Lot less PSI footprint so the 15" should work well.
Now I just have to overcome the emotional attachment to the 19' in favor of the 23FB. I have put so many improvements/upgrades in the 19' knowing I will have to do the same thing to a new TT.

[Steamy1]

Just purchased a 23FB and see how it works out. Now a two-Airstream family! The neighbors always that we were trailer trash, now with two parked in the driveway, it will confirm their suspicions.

The 19' Bambi has served us well for 7 years, and I am not certain I will put it up for sale this spring. Maybe wait a year. It has been a project to make all of the upgrades and improvements, but it has also turned into a hobby. I really hate to part with it.

the 23'FB offers more storage, 39-gallon fresh water tank, and the island bed. Plus, I believe we got a good deal by purchasing in January. The Boise Airstream dealer, part of the Portland, San Francisco, Seattle group, were great to work with. They tell me they take 25% of Airstreams production!

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by mutcth

IIRC, the 23FB has a 14" wheel and five-bolt hub like my 23' front L-lounge. When I upgraded my trailer's rolling stock, I wasn't able to find 16" trailer wheels with a five-bolt pattern; they are six-bolters.

This doesn't mean you can't upgrade. I went to 15" wheels and a set of Nokian tires made for European delivery vans with an increased load rating. No issues in 15,000 miles.

Tom

Could you please provide further detail on the wheels and tires you went with? I am researching 15" wheels & tires, and looking at Seidel and American Racing. As for tires, I am a Michelin loyalist, though would like to hear about the Nokian option you went with, including diameter, load rating, size, etc. Many thanks!

[mutcth]

The details of my upgrade are here.

While I'm very happy with the Nokians (I'm a huge fan, and use them on my tow vehicle as well), I'd go with Michelin if I did it again, simply for easier availability on the road should something happen.

Tom