B-Van and Tires

[Coloradobus]

We brought our new to us 1997 Airstream B-Van home over the weekend. Before we could take out on the interstate, it needed tires badly. The original tires, date of manufacture 40th week of 1996.
Here's my question: The driver's door plate says recommended tire size is 245X75X16. What size spare? A 245X75X16 Michelin radial LTX MS won't fit up under the back of the bathroom counter. It is evident a tire was there, but what size? Anyone know? Or do I need to call Airstream?

[overlander63]

Is the spot for the tire too short, or too narrow?

[wingfoot321]

I think you need the same size tire 245/75r16 that is on the ground and a tire carrier that mounts on the back door and door hinges + cover with license plate bracket & light. There is a low mount carrier that does not block the view thru the rear windows.

The Michelin LTX is a good tire.

[Coloradobus]

Overlander63,

The spare goes behind and beneath the bath room counter. The 245X75X16 tire is too large acrossed, top to bottom and side to side to fit. Depth-wise there is plenty of room. Vertically, its too tall to fit under the counter edge and the floor, and too wide, so it hits the plumbing to the bath sink, while just clearing the van's wall on the left..
When removing the old tires, we discovered one was a 225X75X16, and the rest were the 245 series. The 225 series will fit in the spare's spot. I would find it odd that Airstream would equip the van with a different sized tire for the spare. The old tires had to go since they had a build date of 40th week of 1996. The smaller 225 tire was dated 38th week 1999. So it was several years newer than the other 3. We trailered this B-Van home 1330 miles, behind our SOB motorhome.

Thanks Wingfoot, we might have to consider a tire carrier. But the whole point of an interior mounted spare, was to allow a bike rack in the Van's receiver hitch. Guess we try Plan B.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Coloradobus

When removing the old tires, we discovered one was a 225X75X16, and the rest were the 245 series. The 225 series will fit in the spare's spot. I would find it odd that Airstream would equip the van with a different sized tire for the spare.

Sounds like the smaller tire started life as your spare. You will probably find the 225 will fit in the space provided for the spare, a 225 can be used as a spare, as long as it is used as a spare (like a donut spare) , restricted speed and distance.

[wkerfoot]

What is the tire size on the data plate on the chassis? Maybe the prior owner put larger tires on the ground and kept the best original as a spare.

Bill

[Coloradobus]

WKerfoot,

The data plate on the door specifies LT245X75X16. "Randy" at Airstream told me this morning that is the proper size. So, I just came back from the tire store for another fitting, and presto! The 245 tire fits in "with no air" in it. We'll need to carry an air compressor. Seems silly, but whatever works, eh?

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by Coloradobus

WKerfoot,

The data plate on the door specifies LT245X75X16. "Randy" at Airstream told me this morning that is the proper size. So, I just came back from the tire store for another fitting, and presto! The 245 tire fits in "with no air" in it. We'll need to carry an air compressor. Seems silly, but whatever works, eh?

Coloradobus,

Silly is one word you could use or stupid. At one time you could buy a can of compressed air. I had a collapsable spare on my 1970 AMX and the spare came with a can of air. You might see if that is available, in addition to the compressor, just make sure that it is not the flat fix with sealant.

Bill

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Coloradobus,

Silly is one word you could use or stupid. At one time you could buy a can of compressed air. I had a collapsable spare on my 1970 AMX and the spare came with a can of air. You might see if that is available, in addition to the compressor, just make sure that it is not the flat fix with sealant.

Bill

Unfortunately, those air cans are NLA. People would let them get all nasty and corroded, and try to fill them with air, and wonder why they would burst. A small 12v compressor will fill the tire, just be prepared to wait for a while.