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Old 10-09-2016, 04:53 PM   #101
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15" Michelin tires recommended?

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Moderators it is time to close current tire threads and ban new ones.


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But then they would only have hitches and the ever popular tow vehicle is to small / just fine / to large debates.😱
Almost forgot the front-rear bedroom debate!!!




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Old 10-10-2016, 07:10 AM   #102
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Last week I contacted the Michelin Corporation and asked about their tire selection for our AS trailer. They responded with the following: 1. Michelin does not make an ST (trailer tire). 2. Michelin said that LT (light truck) tires should not be used on trailers. The design and materials are not suitable for trailers. Now I just have to find what is the best ST tire out there.
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Old 10-10-2016, 08:12 AM   #103
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Last week I contacted the Michelin Corporation and asked about their tire selection for our AS trailer. They responded with the following: 1. Michelin does not make an ST (trailer tire). 2. Michelin said that LT (light truck) tires should not be used on trailers. The design and materials are not suitable for trailers. Now I just have to find what is the best ST tire out there.
Thanks for sharing this.
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Old 10-10-2016, 11:59 AM   #104
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Last week I contacted the Michelin Corporation and asked about their tire selection for our AS trailer. They responded with the following: 1. Michelin does not make an ST (trailer tire). 2. Michelin said that LT (light truck) tires should not be used on trailers. The design and materials are not suitable for trailers. Now I just have to find what is the best ST tire out there.
Ahh, but this is not a "trailer"; it is an "Airstream"! I hear your pain, and understand the debate...will let you know how they perform. I also was told the Michelins are not rated for travel trailers. Seems to be an awful lot of us using them with positive experiences, from what I have read. I did have 2 blow outs with Maxxis ST tires in the past; one on my Casita several years ago, and one on my 2008 AS 3 years ago. Have not had any issues with Michelins, for the record and I like the ride over the GYM's that came with the unit new. After reading this thread, I will certainly be more vigilant on how the Michelins I just purchased wear/perform and last. Thanks for all the information.
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Old 10-11-2016, 08:09 AM   #105
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There is no ST tires on big trucks and trailers, we use the same tire on the steer axles as on our 3 axle trailers, and they aren't made in China, even my airstream has 16" michelins , our 1973 23' avion came with 15" car tires , they were replaced after 12 years with new car tires, never any tire problems as the trailer weighed around 6000 lbs...
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Old 10-11-2016, 08:18 AM   #106
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I find it interesting that the Michelin crowd is universally satisfied and willing to move on but the ST crowd insists on getting in the last word. This repeats itself every-time a thread is started with this subject.
Its a lawyer thing, if you cant argue the facts than just argue.
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Old 10-11-2016, 08:51 AM   #107
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Hundreds of folks have read the very numerous tire treads. They have considered all the information and made their tire choices based on their interpretation of the information.

Whatever tire they selected, they have the sole responsibility for it's operation once the tire is mounted on the wheel. If the choice works, they are happy, if not they have to choose something else.

Pretty simple really. The thread posters are mostly reporting their personal experiences so others can infer what they wish about the information.

Not everyone on the Airforums started with an Airstream product. Through trial and error of determining what they liked and disliked in their RV experience, they came to the conclusion that an Airstream would serve their "needs". The total population of existing Airstreams pales in size when compared to the entire universe of RV choices offered every year.

We bought the wrong model Airstream for us with the first one (2013 25FB International Serenity) as our first RV. We elected to try a different model and are very happy with the 2014 Classic and even added a smaller 2015 23D International Serenity as well. So we are not converted from other brands.

There are folks that have moved away from Airstreams to some other brand as well.

The basic point is we all make choices and get to live with the results.

I did put the 15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires on both the 2013 25FB International Serenity and the 2015 23D International Serenity (upgrading from the 14 tires and wheels that were factory discontinued in the 2016 models) and had no issues.

We have made many changes to both Airstreams we currently own that are "improvements" to us that also include switching tire brand. We are pleased with all of the results to date. We change things if we do not like the result to make our RV experience better.
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Old 10-11-2016, 08:55 AM   #108
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. . .
Its a lawyer thing, if you cant argue the facts than just argue.
Don't forget there is The Argue Thread for anyone who wants to put the pedal down!

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...ead-60297.html
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Old 10-11-2016, 01:25 PM   #109
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Lmao :-)

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Don't forget there is The Argue Thread for anyone who wants to put the pedal down!

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...ead-60297.html
Good one! I don't need to go to that thread to upset anyone and get into an argument...I have found that all one need do is try a post about a Blue Ox hitch while on the Equalizer thread...LOL!
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Old 10-19-2016, 09:46 AM   #110
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I love this place! When I see a thread started about tow vehicles, tires, or hitches, I know I'm in for several hours of entertaining reading...
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Old 10-19-2016, 01:22 PM   #111
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I find it interesting that the Michelin crowd is universally satisfied and willing to move on but the ST crowd insists on getting in the last word. This repeats itself every-time a thread is started with this subject.
Its a lawyer thing, if you cant argue the facts than just argue.
Actually I believe it is the opposite. The ST crowd is happy with what they have and it's the Michelin crowd who is trying to set us straight.



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Old 10-19-2016, 02:01 PM   #112
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Bottom Line ?

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Actually I believe it is the opposite. The ST crowd is happy with what they have and it's the Michelin crowd who is trying to set us straight.
George
I say blame it on Airstream Corp., they started it by putting different wheels and tires on the Eddie Bauer edition .
And really who wants a blow out at anytime. Maybe its time to put amour platted fender wells around the Airstream .
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Old 10-19-2016, 02:34 PM   #113
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$80,000 AS / upwards of $4,000 in trailer damage when a ST belt separates at highway speed. I have not heard of one person who has suffered trailer damage running a Michelin but plenty running STs including myself back years ago. When you go through it, it makes buying a quality set of Michelins or my latest choice Nokians, a pleasure. I consider it other form of cheap insurance providing safety and peace of mind. I never think about my tires. Don't put monitors, or balancers on. Typically check the nitrogen pressure at the start of season and then just a quick glance when filling up during my typical walk around.


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Old 10-19-2016, 02:50 PM   #114
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What I'm curious about is whether the ST tire failures are "old news." That is, I wonder whether more recently made ST tires--especially GYM's--are better made these days that previously.

Does anyone have any data as to whether the GYM failures reported here happened in the last 3-5 years, or before then?
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Old 10-19-2016, 03:15 PM   #115
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ST tires may well be better made now that in the past. I hope so. But I do not think they will ever be made well enough for me to take the chance on them. Having run LT and XL tires for the last 10 years I simply will not go back to ST tires.

I actually do have GYM's on one trailer. But I do not pull the trailer any more. And ever since day one all 4 of them loose 20 lbs of air in 9 months just sitting still. When we had that trailer on the road I had to air the tires every 2 weeks.
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Old 10-19-2016, 08:40 PM   #116
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The new ones I just took off my 2015 looked just the same as in the days of old. Hard dry rubber, uneven tread and bulging malformed sidewalks. What does one expect from $25 made in China tires.


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Old 10-19-2016, 09:03 PM   #117
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I took the GYMs off of my 2017 25FB Serenity the day after we brought it home.

This is a tremendous deal. What do you think?

http://www.airstreamclassifieds.com/...iler-take-off/.
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Old 10-19-2016, 09:33 PM   #118
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My money my choice

As part of axle replacement project, today I bought 4 Michelin 235-75R15 Defender tires

And to my surprise they are marked MADE IN USA

Enough already buy what you think works for you
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Old 10-19-2016, 09:49 PM   #119
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Currently traveling across I40 to Tampa on my new Nokian 2357515 tires . Perfect so far, saved a ton a money. Rated better than anything out there. Mic drop
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Old 10-20-2016, 06:56 AM   #120
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I say blame it on Airstream Corp., they started it by putting different wheels and tires on the Eddie Bauer edition .
And really who wants a blow out at anytime. Maybe its time to put amour platted fender wells around the Airstream .
I believe this ST tire problem started 10 to 15 years ago when people were getting smacked by lousy, unreliable service from their tires thus costing several thousand dollars in damage to their trailers.

In my opinion there seems to be a lot of blame to go around for the manufacturers and the end users. The ST tire design seems to be mediocre at best and the industry states that they loose 1/3 rd of their strength after 3 years. Some folks get lousy service, others good service. The only tire company that seems to blow their own trumpet on improvements is Carlisle and the jury is still out. My trailer currently has a set of the "improved" tires but are coming up on three years in age. My first set of Carlisle tires rotted in less than two years and Carlisle replaced them for free. These updated ones are still doing ok and hold air pressure consistently. I am curious to know how the new Carlisle Radial Trail HD tire will do. http://www.carlstargroup.com/product...adial-trail-hd

I think some folks just don't think about the extra inspection that one should do on a trailer tire. These tires live a different life than our vehicle tires. Trailer tires sit around for long periods in a loaded condition. This is about the worst condition for reliability from a tire.
Last week we just returned from a 2,183 mile trip driven over 10 days with 65 to 70 mph highway speeds. This mileage is not much for some folks but considered a big trip for us. Before leaving I jacked up the trailer, laid on the ground and spun each tire checking for deformities, dry rot, nails, damage etc.... My wife thinks I am crazy for being so anal about tires. The tires made it there and back in one piece.
I will be starting the winterization process next week and part of this process is to get the weight off the tires until next camping season.
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