Tire advice for 2006 30' classic with S/O

[Tstanding2]

We need some advice on the best, most reliable tires for our 2006 30' classic with slide out. For the past 20 months we have had Powerking Towmaster
st225 75 15 e load tires and 3 of them have blown ( 2 in the past two days). We do keep them inflated at 80psi as listed on the tire. Today's blowout ripped up the underbelly. We also are aware of the 65mph max. A friend has a similar trailer and was also experiencing too many blow outs and replaced his wheels for 16" (?) wheels with LT tires. Is this the solution? Does the slide cause tire issues?
I appreciate any advice.

[GCinSC2]

Tstandind2

Many threads about tires. I have a 30' S/O also and like many used the AS optional 16" wheels and Michelin tires doing just fine.

Best can start a spirited discussion. Review and research the multiple tire and wheel upgrade threads.

And welcome to Airforums.

[AWCHIEF]

Welcome, What ever brand you use stay below the tires max speed, inflate to proper pressure for the application and keep them off curbs. Invest in a TPMS and catch many potential flat and blow out situations before they happen.

[jcanavera]

Your trailer is heavy like mine. I've had failures with D and E rated ST tires. Failures all came at the end of year 3 or the beginning of year 4 use. Tires were at proper pressures, inside storage, speeds at about 60 mph. All failures were belt separations that I caught prior to the tires coming apart on the highway. I ended up putting on 16" Sendel wheels and Michelin LTX tires. On heavy trailers like yours and mine, I really believe that once you pass 3 years of use, your ST's are candidates for replacement.

For some of the lighter Airstreams, you may get 4-5 years. The track record for those moving to 16" LT's has been good.

Jack

[GCinSC2]

Tstanding2,

Not to hijack your question, don't know if your AS is up to date on the actuator recall and brake hose recall. Both documented here http://www.airforums.com/forums/f439...all-98740.html for hoses and http://www.airforums.com/forums/f439...ics-67620.html for the actuator.

Gary

[kleimanr]

I too have a 2006 30SO. Tire stories just like yours. Switched to 16" and Michelins. No complaints yet. Even tows better.

[bobmiller1]

We tow our 2005 34' S/O , with 15" Alcoa rims mounted to Carlisle tires, first few trips ran them at 80 PSI, discovered multiple drawers open when we stopped for a break and to check the refrigerator. Now have been running them at 65 PSI with no issues for three years. The original tires were Goodyear Marathon tires..in plain English, they suck.

[RivetED]

This topic can generate quite a lot of discussion:roll eyes:. From my experience none of the 15" options held up, many belt separations. Our 25' Safari is not what I'd consider a heavy trailer but the tire problems and peace of mind drove the decision to go to the 16" solution.

I went with the 16" Michelin LTX, Load Range 'E', tires & Sendel wheels about 4 years ago. We have about 50K miles on them and no problems, approx. 100K + total miles with the Safari. I have had to do some 'determined' traveling over the past few years and they have done very well, nothing like the Marathon experiences.

BTW: At 4 years old, living in Texas, they are beginning to show some minor crazing. To me that means replacement.

[slowmover]

A 30' S/O is the worst A/S in regards wheel loads. Thus for me it would be either

Bridgestone Duravis 250

or

Michelin XPS Rib

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by bobmiller1

We tow our 2005 34' S/O , with 15" Alcoa rims mounted to Carlisle tires, first few trips ran them at 80 PSI, discovered multiple drawers open when we stopped for a break and to check the refrigerator. Now have been running them at 65 PSI with no issues for three years. The original tires were Goodyear Marathon tires..in plain English, they suck.

If your 2005 is like my 2004 30' S/O Classic, the stops on those drawers suck. There are two little tips, one on the end of each of the rails on the drawer and inside of the cabinet housing. They get bent down over time and you have to go in with a needle nose pliers and bend them up. If the drawer bounces up in the track, it goes right over the stop. I noticed a little more of that occurring when I went to the Michellin's, although I minimize that by making sure the tabs are bent in the correct position prior to departing.

I switched to 16" Michellin LTX's to get a tire that can hold up to at least 5 years of use. I thought the answer was to go to E rated 15" Maxxis ST's but I got about 6 additional months of use before two of them also developed belt separations like my Marathons. The Marathons failed at the end of their 3rd season of towing. The Maxxis tires failed on the first trip out in season 4. I run the Michellin's at 80 psi.

Jack

[Bill M.]

My guess is to go with the 16" wheels and Michelin tires. But that is not all of it. Keep a close eye on the wheel bearings and grease because I have heard of the bearings failing on a 30 SO. No, I do not know why the bearings failed. But I bet the heavy load has something to do with it.

[jcanavera]

Back in '03 Henschen built some axles that had issues with little/none/ or the wrong grease. Airstream issued a recall for inspection and re packing. My slide out was one of the recalled units, but was found to be okay. According to my dealer they cleaned and re packed just to be sure. I've not heard of a wholesale issue with the slides being vulnerable, but that issue led to the eventual death of Henschen. Not too far after that event I think Airstream went to someone else for axles.

Jack

[ASTailgate]

I have a 34ft excella with 15's right now. It has 3 axels. Will 16" rims with Michelin LTX MS2 fit without rubbing?


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[m.hony]

Yes, you can put (6) 16" wheels on your trailer.
I am convinced that this is the way to go- if you have the money.

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by kleimanr

I too have a 2006 30SO. Tire stories just like yours. Switched to 16" and Michelins. No complaints yet. Even tows better.

I had a similar issue on my 2002 30' Classic with SO, and after reading all of the associated threads, I went with the following:

4 Tireco Sendel 16 X 6 6-5.5 aluminum rims (same design that As puts on their newer trailers)

4 Stainless Steel Caps

1 Dexter Steel Rim 16 X 6 6-5.5 (spare tire rim)

Total = $648.16 delivered

Discount Tire

4 Michelin E rated LTX MS/2's 16" $213.00 each
1 Falken Rocky Mtn (same exact diameter as the Michelin's) for
the spare = $104

Centramatics = full set was $235

Never looked back, even with this added expense, I do not worry about a blowout any more.

[KJRitchie]

When we bought our 2008 Classic 25fb (8000lb GVWR) I bought Michelin LT235/75x15 MS. Their max inflation is 50lbs for about 2100lbs on each tire (downgraded slightly due to trailer use). If I had your trailer I'd go with the 16" rim/Michelin upgrade.

Kelvin

[ASTailgate]

Looks like I'm going to go with the Sendel 16" what size tire in the LTX ms2? My tire size now is 225/75/15.


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[KJRitchie]

Found this thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...ns-136895.html

Kelvin

[jmland]

The best thing you can invest in for tire problems is to get some type of tire pressure measuring like the Advantage Pressure Pro in Harrisonville, MO. Call them at 800-959-3505 to get the details on getting this product. I have used this system for the past 13 years and it has saved me many headaches when tires start to lose pressure and it warns you immediately.

[pappy19]

I had a tire pressure monitoring system on my ST's but when each of the 3 tires went on me, it wasn't a slow leak, it was BAM! So I might as well not have had the monitor system because by the time it went off, the tire was already blown. After the 3rd one, I went with all new 16" rims and MS-2's. Now my tire monitor system can really tell me my current pressures and temps.