Visit our Popular Forums

interstateflyer · 05-27-2013, 12:41 PM

I'd like to put this question to the Bambi owners who have upgraded from the OEM Goodyear Marathons to a more "reliable" tire.

What 15 inch tire was your upgrade choice?

mstephens · 05-27-2013, 01:08 PM

I removed my Marathons for 15" Michelin MX series, installed Dill pressure monitors, and drive now with confidence.

woodfox45 · 05-27-2013, 01:10 PM

You should look in the tires page there will be many opinions on tires most are going to 16" LT tires . Les Grace wbcci #14183

interstateflyer · 05-27-2013, 01:54 PM

I know that there is a lot of discussion on this topic but most relates to double axel trailers.

I still like to hear from people who have Bambi 19s.

dkottum · 05-27-2013, 02:02 PM

You are carrying more weight per tire than any double axle Airstream. It may be a close fit, but I think a 16" Michelin upgrade would be an excellent idea.

doug k

interstateflyer · 05-27-2013, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

You are carrying more weight per tire than any double axle Airstream. It may be a close fit, but I think a 16" Michelin upgrade would be an excellent idea.

doug k

It looks like the oem Marathons are rated 2150 lbs. at 50psi and Airstream wants them at 65psi......hmmm!

The Bambi's GVWR is 4500.

The Michelin LT 225/75R16 are load range E and rated at 2680lbs and a max of 80psi.

What wheels have people bought to accommodate the 16s on the Bambi 19?

What tire pressure? Still go with 65psi?

interstateflyer · 05-28-2013, 01:26 PM

I'm seriously looking at upgrading to Maxxis M8008 ST 15 inch Radials on my 2013 Intl. 19. The Maxxis seem to be a more robust tire than the Goodyear Marathons and have a very high rating on RV and trailer forums.

My tire dealer recommends I go with the 225/75R15, 10 ply, 2830 pound load, 80 psi model. He also stocks the 8 ply, 2540 pound 65 psi model. The GYMs are 5/6 ply, 2540, 65 psi.

My only question at this point is whether the OEM Airstream wheels will handle 80 psi. Is there a way to check on this?

Coloradobus · 05-28-2013, 01:33 PM

Interstateflyer. If you pull one of your trailer's wheels and turn it over on the back side of rim should be a stamped capacity for what the rim can carry. As long as the weight rating if more than the tire you looking at your fine.

knunut · 05-28-2013, 01:46 PM

Installed 16' wheels and Michelin's LTXMN /S LT R16 E rated.. Including Spare. Had to bend spare tire holder arms so it would fit. Discount Tire. Wheels were Sendel T03BM.
Did July 2011 and still look new. Just did 123333 mile/ 5 month . No problem. There great.

knunut · 05-28-2013, 01:55 PM

Had Michelin's installed. July 2011. 16" LTXMN/S LT.225/75 R16 Load E.
Just came came from a 5 month 12,333 mile trip no problem . still look new.
Wheels are Sendel TO3 BM. Had to bend spare tire carrier arms out to fit new size.
There great !!!!
Heard good things about Maxxis.

m.hony · 05-28-2013, 02:13 PM

I have towed many miles with the Goodyear Marathons. Will be changing to Michelins. The best trailer should have the best tire. Some Airstreams on the dealer lot had Michelins. Mine did not.

interstateflyer · 05-29-2013, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coloradobus

Interstateflyer. If you pull one of your trailer's wheels and turn it over on the back side of rim should be a stamped capacity for what the rim can carry. As long as the weight rating if more than the tire you looking at your fine.

Hi Coloradobus...Couldn't find and markings on the back of my unit's wheels.

Do you know if there is another method of determining maximum inflation and load for these wheels?

My intention is not to increase the weight capacity of the trailer but instead run more durable Load Range E, 10 ply Maxxis STs at their rated 80 pounds.

lewster · 05-29-2013, 02:35 PM

One of the first mods that I did to my then new '06 19CCD Bambi was the wheel/tire upgrade. From past experience, I have no faith in ST tires and wanted them removed from the Bambi post haste!

I went with a 6 spoke design from Trailer Tires and Wheels - trailer tires, boat trailer tires, trailer wheels, boat trailer wheels, aluminum trailer wheels and mounted a pair of 225/75-16 LRE Michelin XPS Rib tires. They were the same size that my Sprinter was running at the time, and the same tire! Never had an issue with any of the 6 Michelins while towing over 45K miles in 5 years.

You might have to remove the tire from the rim to get to view the load rating of the rims, as sometimes they are stamped on the inside of the wheel.

gmw photos · 05-29-2013, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by interstateflyer

Hi Coloradobus...Couldn't find and markings on the back of my unit's wheels.

Do you know if there is another method of determining maximum inflation and load for these wheels?

My intention is not to increase the weight capacity of the trailer but instead run more durable Load Range E, 10 ply Maxxis STs at their rated 80 pounds.

I have seen a few Airstreams with this sendel wheel. Does this help you ?

T03SM | Sendel Wheels

knunut · 05-29-2013, 03:40 PM

I saw them mentioned on another thread. That's why i got them. Discount Tire got them for me and its a beautiful combo. I'm sure there are equally good or better wheels?

wolf146 · 05-29-2013, 04:23 PM

I don't understand why people would give you advice to move up to 16 inch tires when the trailer came with 15 inch tires. Why not contact Airstream and ask them? There have been many posts about changing to 16 inch tires and those people whose opinion I value (because they are in the trailer business ) don't recommend doing that. Wolf146

gmw photos · 05-29-2013, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf146

I don't understand why people would give you advice to move up to 16 inch tires when the trailer came with 15 inch tires. Why not contact Airstream and ask them? There have been many posts about changing to 16 inch tires and those people whose opinion I value (because they are in the trailer business ) don't recommend doing that. Wolf146

Wolf,
I'm curious, what was the logic those people stated to not move up to a 16" wheel/tire ?

wolf146 · 05-29-2013, 04:40 PM

1. Wheel well issues. Possible rubbing, especially on rough roads.
2. 16" spare doesn't fit and the carrier needs to be "adjusted"

These are the comments that I can quickly recall ... Wolf146

interstateflyer · 05-29-2013, 05:44 PM

Thanks everyone for their input.

I spoke with Dan at Airstream Tech Support. AS sells the Trico 16 inch wheel/ Michelin LTX combination through a drop ship vendor for $368.95 ea. plus shipping and tax. Takes about 2 weeks. Dan said that they recommend this combo for International 19s with 15 inch wheels. They won't work on Bambis with 14 inch....clearance issues.

I found a local tire store that will have SenDel T02 wheels, model T02-66655T, 80psi and Michelin LTX for me by Friday for $1222 otd.

As it turns out my Maxxis M8008 ST LR E, 80 psi tires wouldn't have worked out on the stock wheels. Dan at AS said they are rated at 65psi max.

gmw photos · 05-29-2013, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by interstateflyer

Thanks everyone for their input.

I spoke with Dan at Airstream Tech Support. AS sells the Trico 16 inch wheel/ Michelin LTX combination through a drop ship vendor for $368.95 ea. plus shipping and tax. Takes about 2 weeks. Dan said that they recommend this combo for International 19s with 15 inch wheels. They won't work on Bambis with 14 inch....clearance issues.

I found a local tire store that will have SenDel T02 wheels, model T02-66655T, 80psi and Michelin LTX for me by Friday for $1222 otd.

As it turns out my Maxxis M8008 ST LR E, 80 psi tires wouldn't have worked out on the stock wheels. Dan at AS said they are rated at 65psi max.

Do you have sendel wheels as stock ? If so, I thought all the 6 hole sendel wheels were 80 psi rated ?