16" Sendel Wheels & 16" Michelin LTX Tires

[Griner3]

Originally Posted by dcasr

_____________



Do you mean 3000 lbs since (300lbs) can't be right for a weight capacity. And 300 psi would be kind of high though maybe possible.



2016 Duramax/Allison Crewcab 4x4

300lb is the difference in load capacity between the 2 rim styles.

[paiceman]

Just for giggles I am pasting a disclaimer I found in our 2017 Classic Owners Manual I am reading as we picked her up two days ago. Yes we have the 16' Michelins as standard equipment, but I've also put them on three other Airstreams we have owned starting back in 2010.

The maximum speed rating on the tires installed
on your trailer is 106 MPH. Do not exceed this
rating. Failure to heed this warning could cause
catastrophic tire failure resulting in property
damage, personal injury, and/or death.

[64airstream]

Congrats on your new trailer.

We did the 16" upgrade, never thought we could double our speed. I once bought a toilet paper roll holder that came with a warning to not eat it. I guess we all pitch in to pay for that legal advice as part of the product cost...

Roy

[Action]

Originally Posted by paiceman

Just for giggles I am pasting a disclaimer I found in our 2017 Classic Owners Manual I am reading as we picked her up two days ago. Yes we have the 16' Michelins as standard equipment, but I've also put them on three other Airstreams we have owned starting back in 2010.

The maximum speed rating on the tires installed
on your trailer is 106 MPH. Do not exceed this
rating. Failure to heed this warning could cause
catastrophic tire failure resulting in property
damage, personal injury, and/or death.

That disclaimer is for a "P" rated tire I am pretty sure.

I suspect it is stated as a result of a law suit where in some owner was driving a vehicle at very fast speed with tires that failed because of the excessive speed. Some attorney looking for a paycheck realized there was no speed limit warning on the tires (or given with the tires) that failed because of excessive speed. So took legal action against that tire manufacturer. Typically for an undisclosed amount.

>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Ray Eklund]

Do not be shocked to know that Oliver Legacy Elite 1 and Elite 2 trailers, come standard, with 16" Michelin LTX M/S2 tires. I could not find the exact tire size, but the single and double axle, both have 16" Michelins. Filled with... Nitrogen, as well.

Legacy Elite 1- 5,000# GVWR, 375# tongue weight, 18 feet 5 inches, single axle
Legacy Elite 2- 7,000# GVWR, 420# tongue weight, 23 feet 6 inches, double axle

Dexter Leaf Spring Axles, Quad Shocks, Nev-R-Adjust 12" brakes.

Their Standard Features seem impressive to a layman, as myself. Fiber glass molded two pieces and shaped much like Airstreams.

It would be interesting to get a close look at both models, some day. A small trailer company, but the available technology is refreshing to follow the list. I would have not been surprised if this was the company that Thor had in mind to purchase for getting an Airstream similar trailer, already in production, that younger families can afford for size and quality.

[Rocinante]

Good to know. BTW, the day they start making a 27-28' model, I'll be giving them a call to learn more about it. 😉

[switz]

Oliver's only short coming is being about 7' wide versus the 8' of the 23D. Their list of options is truly impressive with quality choices like the German Truma AquaGo instant on water heaters like I have retro-fitted to both the 23D and the Classic which allowed for an additional 50 pounds of payload since the 6 gallon water storage in the Atwood water heater was removed.

There will be NO wood floor rotting in their future either.

[Bob662]

Originally Posted by switz

Oliver's only short coming is being about 7' wide versus the 8' of the 23D.

And the wet bath. And the somewhat peculiar dump connection that's in the back of the bumper storage area.

The Oliver is a very high quality product and, as Switz says, some great options. It has no wood in it. Interestingly, there is no capability for a sway control or WD hitch, other than the Andersen.

Once optioned out, the Elite II is about $57K.

[dkottum]

We looked at Oliver before purchasing our first Airstream. Plastic everywhere, including tiny plastic windows. Confined feel inside. No dedicated sleeping space. No independent suspension. No dealer support network. New company, will they stay in business? They didn't at the time but are now back until perhaps the next recession.

Sure, loaded with accessories but the basic shell, interior, frame, and axles are a quite ordinary plastic trailer. We had a Scamp, no rot in its plywood floor either; that's the advantage of being wrapped in plastic.

[jcanavera]

The only other ancillary items I dealt with was new lug nuts, new valve stems, and new center caps. I sold my 15" wheels on Craig's list and I wanted to include the lug nuts and center caps with the wheels. Stems are a no brainer and I always change them with new tires.

Jack

[Powerarrangr]

Hate to say it, but after a trip on the Michelin LTX tires, I've gone back to the 15" GYMs for the time being...

Made a trip from the Baltimore area to the Atlanta area and back, I-81/77/85. It was like dragging a boat anchor. My MPG went from 17 with the GYMs to 14 with the Michelins at 75 lbs. My oil analysis after the trip came back with high iron, possibly due to the extra rolling resistance while grunting up the hills. It was a hard trip, the truck wasn't very happy about it and neither was I.

Part of the problem might be the truck's gearing. OD is really tall at 0.6 somethingorother and there's a 700 ish RPM difference between that and the next lower gear which is direct drive (3.73 rear end). I normally cruise 60-65. If I didn't get a good head start on some hills I had to downshift and climb at about 50 MPH or so.

With the GYMs the EGTs are lower, truck doesn't seem to be working as hard and the mileage has improved. Don't have to downshift quite as often, either. Although the truck is happier, the downside is that things in the trailer get tossed around more. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but for me, the jury is still out on the tire conversion.

Is anyone else having similar issues after making the switch?

[Rocinante]

No such issues here, though we did make a slight adjustment to our hitch to account for the roughly 0.5" increase in trailer height with the new wheels/tires.

[Moflash]

Originally Posted by Powerarrangr

Hate to say it, but after a trip on the Michelin LTX tires, I've gone back to the 15" GYMs for the time being...



Made a trip from the Baltimore area to the Atlanta area and back, I-81/77/85. It was like dragging a boat anchor. My MPG went from 17 with the GYMs to 14 with the Michelins at 75 lbs. My oil analysis after the trip came back with high iron, possibly due to the extra rolling resistance while grunting up the hills. It was a hard trip, the truck wasn't very happy about it and neither was I.



Part of the problem might be the truck's gearing. OD is really tall at 0.6 somethingorother and there's a 700 ish RPM difference between that and the next lower gear which is direct drive (3.73 rear end). I normally cruise 60-65. If I didn't get a good head start on some hills I had to downshift and climb at about 50 MPH or so.



With the GYMs the EGTs are lower, truck doesn't seem to be working as hard and the mileage has improved. Don't have to downshift quite as often, either. Although the truck is happier, the downside is that things in the trailer get tossed around more. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but for me, the jury is still out on the tire conversion.



Is anyone else having similar issues after making the switch?

You have something else going on.The 16's don't create a higher rolling resistance.Sound like a brake system malfunction.


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[Tn Traveler]

Did you check the temperature of your trailer hubs and tires? If brakes are dragging they should be hot. Also, your brake shoes may be glazed over. Worth checking. I have the 16" Michelins, and notice no difference, and my hubs and tires run cool. Check the settings on your brake controller.

[m.hony]

13-14 mpg towing with 16" wheels and 225/75R16 LT tires


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[dcasr]

[QUOTE=m.hony;1876011]13-14 mpg towing with 16" wheels and 225/75R16 LT tires.[end QUOTE]
________________________

That's about the milage [13-14 mpg] we get with our 15" Maxxis E rated at 75psi running about 68-72 mph on level to rolling terrain. 2016 Duramax/Allison 3.73 2500HD Crewcab 4x4, 6.5 box/Lear cab height shell. Pulling a 1990 Excella 29' with new axles and brakes. Truck and trailer fully loaded.

[m.hony]

Your truck doesn't even know the Excella is there.

[tjdonahoe]

As for powerarrangers 15"vs16" tires, my 31 classic is little difference, if any it pulls easier, I have had experience with my big truck when pulling a trailer with 10.00/20 vs 11.00/24.5. The larger tire rolls easier... My 6.7 dodge is 3.73 with double over in the transmission, pulls in 6 th always, the new one has 3.42 gears , maybe a different story?....

[cando]

Interesting thought MOFLASH, having the same irritations with my 25 ft. Trailer and 2012 Tundra. Mileage is worse and the moaning and groaning uphill drives me nuts vs. my same 2007 Tundra with trailer tires. Wouldn't go back, however, with 5 tire failures with the trailer tires. No problems the past 3 years with the Michelin tires.

What size is your trailer and what do you tow with?

[m.hony]

The Tundras have 4:30 rear end gears.


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