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05-05-2009, 08:12 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari FB SE
Aptos
, California
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 83
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15" to 16" Wheels/Tires on 2007 Safari
We changed our wheels and tires today from the OEM Marathons to 225/75R16
Michelin LTX A/S load range E tires. I have included a few pictures of the
installation to show the clearances between the tires and the wheel wells, because this seems to be an area of concern to those contemplating the switch. The Michelins are not available in load range D in this size, so I plan
to run these at 45-50 psi per the inflation tables. The new tires added 3/8"
to the ride height of the trailer. The new wheels have an -8mm offset and still
have plenty of clearance to the outboard wheel well. The picture with the
tape measure shows the new tire supporting the trailer by itself, which is probably close to maximum compression of the suspension. There is still
more than enough room in the wheel wells.
Terry
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05-05-2009, 08:14 PM
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#2
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2 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari FB SE
Aptos
, California
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 83
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A couple of pictures of the finished product.
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05-06-2009, 12:56 AM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member
2005 16' International CCD
Ogden
, Utah
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 221
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Terry
I really like your upgrade - have you towed enough to tell a difference on that end of things?
I'm in the middle of a similar upgrade to my 16' - except going from 14" to 15" wheels. I haven't decided on the new tires to go with - not so many choices in LT tires for the 15" wheels - but I wish I could go with the Michelin AT tires that you picked.
I anticipate having to trim the edge of the wheel opening on mine - the place where you show the tape measure. It looks like an easy enough job if the bigger tires make it necessary.
Great project - thanks for sharing it!
Bob
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05-06-2009, 08:32 AM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari FB SE
Aptos
, California
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 83
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Bob,
I plan to take a spin this weekend to check it out. I was worried about
adequate clearance at the bottom of the wheel well arches and had read that
others in the forum had trimmed this area a little. Shouldn't be hard to do
if needed.
Terry
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05-06-2009, 10:34 AM
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#5
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Cloud10
2010 25' FB Flying Cloud
Fox Island
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 93
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RDM16CCD
I anticipate having to trim the edge of the wheel opening on mine - the place where you show the tape measure. It looks like an easy enough job if the bigger tires make it necessary.
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Hi Bob,
If you end up having to trim - it would be great to see pictures of that process.
I've been contemplating this as well. One concern I have is that the distance between the tire and the wheel opening is different on each side of the trailer. On one side it may be too close with the existing tires already.
Scott
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05-06-2009, 11:09 AM
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#6
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INSANITY CENTRAL
1986 32' Excella
Airstream Funeral Coach
Citrus Heights
, California
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,108
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Terry;
I'm having trouble with the indications on the tape measure-- it is upside down.
Would you be kind enough to retake the picture and use a Cabinetmaker's Tape (for Righthanders) available from "Lee Valley"
Thanks for your consideration in advance, for those of us that have processing difficulties..
__________________
www.popasmoke.com
Proud Appellation American
Vine View Heights is now closed.
YETI ( 65 Quart )
IGLOO (Ice Cube, 50 Quart )
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05-06-2009, 11:37 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2010 27' FB Classic
N/A
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,809
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Tell us more about your wheels too. Like what brand and offset and part numbers if available?
Also in your pics you show the distance between the front tire and the front trim but is the same distance for the back tire to the trim in the back also?
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05-06-2009, 07:34 PM
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#8
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1 Rivet Member
2006 23' Safari SE
CC
, I live everywhere, man
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 9
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05-07-2009, 05:48 AM
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#10
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1 Rivet Member
2006 23' Safari SE
CC
, I live everywhere, man
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 9
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I'm all about saving a buck...lol
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05-07-2009, 07:44 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2010 27' FB Classic
N/A
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,809
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Rollertoaster, Thanks for the link!
And don't forget to post again after you take it on a nice trip with those new 16 inchers. I marked this thread on my computer so I can keep checking on this. This is something I've been thinking about for a while and want to make sure you are completely happy with the change before I make the switch. It's an all or nothing decision.
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09-29-2009, 02:43 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2010 27' FB Classic
N/A
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,809
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Almost 5 months have gone by and I wondered if you had a chance to get on the road yet with the new set up. How do those babies handle on a trip? Any issues?
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09-29-2009, 05:19 PM
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#13
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Tramp Streamer
Commercial Member
1995 28' Excella
Artist
, at Large
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,002
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Time to retire
Hi Gang!
I've been running 225 75R 16 Michelin,LTX's on my 1995 28" Classic for 2 years now.
Many seasoned forums members do, and have posted extensively on the subject.
25,000 miles later, I'm still very very happy.
Steel rims 0 offset.
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09-29-2009, 05:29 PM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member
1971 27' Overlander
Antlers
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 426
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What are you going to do with your old rims? I recently got my TT and all four rims are different.
__________________
Mel
2006 GMC 1500 SLE Crew Cab
5.3L V8 Towing Package
Equal-i-zer E2
AIR # 40365
TAC # OK-3
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09-29-2009, 05:34 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2011 25' FB Flying Cloud
Anywhere &
, Everywhere
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,090
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Since Airstream is now offering optional 16" wheels with LT tires - Good Year Wranglers - I suspect they're probably usable on most if not all trailers that come with 15" wheels. But the best source of info on that is to give Airstream a call.
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09-30-2009, 12:02 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2010 27' FB Classic
N/A
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,809
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I'm happy to hear that the larger size tires and wheels work on the trailers without any problems. I was concerned with clearence issues but I guess it is unfounded.
This opens the door for many of us to finally be able to use better tires on these units.
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09-30-2009, 04:47 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluto
I'm happy to hear that the larger size tires and wheels work on the trailers without any problems. I was concerned with clearence issues but I guess it is unfounded.
This opens the door for many of us to finally be able to use better tires on these units.
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There is not a clearance problem. I have had Michelin E rated 16s on my trailer for 2 1/2 years. Unlike an SOB the Airstream axles can not move the tires for or aft, so an inch is an inch.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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09-30-2009, 05:11 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2008 30' Classic S/O
Dearborn
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,403
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Next blowout I'm going to 16"/Michelin's 'E'-load. I noticed on my hub a sticker stating "USE ONLY 0 OFFSET". Anybody know the width on the OEM aluminum 5 spoke rims?
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09-30-2009, 05:55 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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Quote:
Originally Posted by finalcutjoe
hub a sticker stating "USE ONLY 0 OFFSET".
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I wonder why the hub would have an offset limit.
Both the wheels I am using and the wheels noted above have a -8mm offset.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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09-30-2009, 06:07 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2015 23' FB International
2007 19' International CCD
Steamboat Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,017
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Just returned from a 1400 mile trip last week
and the 16" wheels and Michelin tires worked great. I used the same wheels on the AS and the LC. (Outlaw II from American Racing).
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