15 inch Wheels/Tires Upgrade for 23 Footer

[switz]

Hard to believe, but those McGard nuts are the same for 14", 15" and 16" axles - 1/2" x 20 thread.

The Centramatics for the 16" wheels are the 300-356 all "A" plates. For 15" six bolt wheels they are the 200-221 Special. For the 15" five bolt wheels that fit the 14" hubs, they are the 200-221 regular. I would not hestitate for the $199 price to help balance the brake drums since in theory the wheels will be balanced.

I have the Centramatics on my Gold Wing motorcycles, the Dodge 2500HD truck and all the Airstreams. They work for me.

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by switz

We removed the stock 14" tires and wheels from our 2015 23D at the dealership. I had purchased the SenDel 15" five lug wheels and Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires from a local Mesa, AZ Discount tire along with a Dill TPMS 1506-453 system (I have this in the Classic as well). The 15" tires and wheels were mounted along with the Centramatic wheel balancers model 200-221 for the five bolt lug nut pattern on 15" wheels. They were attached with McGard 24138 Chrome Cone Seat Wheel Locks and McGard 64010 Chrome Bulge Cone Seat Style Lug Nuts I purchased on Amazon.

Just like on the 25FB, the 23D has the tires inflated to 44 psi.

We found that the curb side wheel opening was about three inches shorted than the street side, so we trimmed the front edge to the same distance from the plastic wheel well as on the street side. There is about ¾" clearance between the front wheels and the opening. Since the Airstream suspension is trailing arm, any bumps force the wheels up and back. We did have to modify the spare support brackets for the fatter 15" spare to work.

What did you do with the 6th sensor?
Truck spare?


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[switz]

We ordered the Dill TPMS with six sender/receivers so there is a battle spare of each. The spare tire receiver is left uninstalled in the display so it does not throw an error code. The SenDel wheels have the letter of the sender written inside of the rim. In the event of a tire issue, the spare tire would be installed and it's receiver chip swapped for the regular tire receiver.

The tire swap project cost was $1,781 at Discount Tire form the four SenDel and two steel wheels, five Michelin tires and installation and warranty and fees and the Dill TPMS. In addition was the $199 for the Centramatic wheel balancers and around $95 for the McGard lug nuts and some of their accessories. I used a U-Haul trailer to take all of these parts plus the Hensley hitch and other essential safety/emergency items to be able to bring the 23D to A&P Vintage Trailer Works in Paradise, TX.

The Airstream dealership, at an additional expense, helped with the tire installation as sheet metal work had to be done and also helped with the installation of the Hensley hitch and the Prodigy RK system.

[m.hony]

Hmm...
So far I'm in for $453.90 for 4 Sendel T03 16x6 6 hole wheels from ecustomhitch.com through Amazon- will arrive 9/3-9/9-
$599.20 for 4 Firestone TransForce HT LT225/75R16 tires from Southern Tire Mart with a discount from my work- will get them next week when the wheels come- they have plenty in stock-
$1053.10 for wheels and tires up till now-
I haven't yet ordered Centramatic balancers, but if I do, they will come from Centramatic- $199.00 + $14.95 shipping-
$1,265.05 for wheels, tires, and Centramatics
I haven't decided where I will get McGard lug nuts from, but I may get them from McGard- about $78 for (6) 4-packs-
$1,343.05 for wheels, tires, Centramatics, and lug nuts.
Dill TPMS 1504-453 system from $310 or Dill TPMS 1506-453 system for $425-
$1,653.05 for wheels, tires, Centramatics, lug nuts, and a 4 tire Dill TPMS or
$1,768.05 for wheels, tires, Centramatics, lug nuts, and a 6 tire Dill TPMS-
Hmm...
It appears the price is right in line.
My plan is to gather all the bits and pieces and mount and balance the tires myself in our shop and install them on the trailer at home.
I was waiting for my Goodyear Marathons to give me trouble before I started all this-
They gave me trouble-

[switz]

Both the 23D 14" GYM to 15" Michelin and the Classic 15" GYM to 16" Michelin conversions cost in the $2,000 class when all the accessories were added in.

The 23D is now at the same elevation as the 25FB was. That means if the Mercedes does not crunch the outfitted trailer's new weight numbers well, then the pickup is ready to go with the prior use Hensley stinger for the 25FB. Of course the truck is big time overkill for the 23D and we might need to get weaker bars for the truck towing.

[m.hony]

Didn't get McGard-
Got these off Amazon-
ORDER PLACED
August 27, 2015
TOTAL
$19.99
SHIP TO
Michael Hony
ORDER # 111-9278160-8213846
Order Details Invoice
Not yet shipped
Shipping estimate: Friday, August 28, 2015 - Monday, August 31, 2015
Track package

AccuWheel LNA-12000C6 Chrome Bulge Acorn Wheel Lug Nuts (1/2"-20 Thread Size) 1.4" Tall - Pack of 24 Lugnuts
Sold by: JK Collection
$19.99

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Even if the chrome flakes off and they rust they will be better than the cheesy chrome covered ones on there now-

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by switz

We ...

Just like on the 25FB, the 23D has the tires inflated to 44 psi.

Important to note inflation pressure ...

[m.hony]

I am still undecided on TPMS and Centramatic balancers-
In many years and nearly 1,000,000 miles of towing trailers- car haulers, cargo trailers, horse trailers, and travel trailers- I have never been in a situation where I would find TPMS or Centramatic balancers particularly beneficial.
I have, however, been in situations where a good load range E 10-ply LT tire might save the day. I have had trailer tires come apart on me twice in 4 years. I haven't had a truck tire on a trailer come apart ever. I can't remember a truck tire on a truck coming apart ever.
May wait on TPMS and Centramatic balancers for now.
Got new wheels, tires, lug nuts, and Trailer Aid ramp on the way.
All needs to be done by Labor Day camping weekend!
Currently, I have no spare. When new wheels and tires get here I'll have 4 spare tires and 24 spare lug nuts!

[Longboard6]

As a non-functioning gearhead, where would I go to get this done for me?

[Photobum]

Try Orange County Airstream in Westminister. You could go to Fairfield but I don't like those folks. Your mileage may vary....

[PKI]

What is normally used for the center hub cap with the new 15in wheels? Does the 14in cap fit the new 15in wheels, or do you just mount the wheels without a center cap?

Centramatics - $199 for a pair or each?

[Jmacd]

PKI, I recently purchased a set of Centamatics for my 25FB with 6 bolt hole 15" wheels. Cost was $199 plus $14.95 shipping for a total of $213.95 for a set of 4. I bought from Centramatic directly through their web site. I also called them with a question and they are a pleasure to deal with. Jim

[PKI]

Jim . Thank you very much. Appreciate the pricing. Kind of makes it easier to add to the upgrade list. Pat

[switz]

We reused the Airstream center hub from the original Airstream wheels on the SenDel wheels for both the Classic and the 23D.

We have 44 psi in the 15" Michelins as that's the suggested number from CanAm we used for the 25FB and the 23D is 1,300 pounds lighter in GVW.

Also, due to a memory misfire in my prior post, the bars on the Hensley are actually the 1,000 pound bars.

On the way home from CanAm with the 23D, I did have to stop at a farm implement store to get a good grease gun for the Hensley. It had started to complain about lubrication for the weight distribution arms.

I carry a grease gun in both trailers so can lube as necessary when on the road.

[PKI]

Switz - thanks for the cap info. Really appreciate your sharing. Pat

[guillaume]

I ordered 15" Sendel wheels and Nokian cCargo tires in 225-15 for my 2015 Airstream 23 FB. From Discount Tire. Picking them up Wednesday. Size difference is minimal, about .25" larger for the Nokian/15" Sendel setup. Only concern is that the cCargo may be a little stiff.

[guillaume]

... actually the name is cLine Cargo, 225/70R15 C 112/110. they are 6 ply rated as is the original equipment GY Marathon. I believe the Michelins are only 4 ply rated. cLine Cargo rated at 2464# vs Marathon's 1870#.

[PKI]

The 14in center caps did not quite fit the new Sendel 15in rim center holes. They were a bit small and required a wrap of tape to make up the void. An easy fix, but worth the time to correct. Pat

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by guillaume

... actually the name is cLine Cargo, 225/70R15 C 112/110. they are 6 ply rated as is the original equipment GY Marathon. I believe the Michelins are only 4 ply rated. cLine Cargo rated at 2464# vs Marathon's 1870#.

Actually, the Nokian cLine Cargo 225/70R15C 112/110 (115N) S Cargo is closer to a Load Range D (LRD) tire. It is a Euro Commercial tire, and as such it has its load expressed with a load index. In this case the load index of 112 equates to 1,120kg (2464lbs).

The "ply ratings" are no longer used. They were outdated in the 70s when radial tires replaced bias ply tires. Although it may make the old crowd feel comfortable, "ply ratings" are not any good way to describe a modern tire's load carrying capacity.

The 15" Michelin tire commonly used is a passenger P type Extra Load (XL) tire.

[guillaume]

I think some people write just to see their words in print.

I stand by my (re)printed specifications exactly as written.

Your "amendments" are in fact misinterpretations of almost all current tire manufacturer's stated specifications.