16" Wheels and Tires

[Pat Cassity]

'Skimping' on buying an extra wheel and tire was never mentioned or even a thought. I just don't like the idea of 'bending' the pins to make the new spare fit. In fact, if one was to read my original questions, I asked if Airstream offered a modified carrier to fit the upgraded 16" wheel. I would much rather have a carrier designed for the 16" wheel than to have one that just barely fits. But hey, that's me. I certainly understand that not everyone will feel that way. If bending has worked for others, fine. If others would rather carry their spare in the back of the truck, taking up valuable room that's fine too. Amazing how some people will eventually bring it all back to someone being cheap. Thanks for your useless input.


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[Ted S.]

Isn't the difference between a 16" wheel and a 15" wheel 1/2" at the axle? I would think a 15" spare would be no issue. Kind of like a donut spare.

[Moflash]

I has nothing to do with the carrier structure you are bending the finger that keeps spare from moving Side to side when lifting spare into place .Once it is lifted and secure the spare can't move as it is sandwiched between the carrier and the trailer.
Simple adjustment that you are overthinking.


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[dkottum]

We put on 16" Michelins and kept the original spare, which is more than adequate. The reliability of the Michelins is extraordinary, unlikely you will ever use the spare. But if so, the original will do fine.

Also, your Airstream Owners Manual says you can remove a bad tire and wheel completely and travel on three wheels at reduced speed and distance to get a repair or replacement. I'm seriously thinking of leaving the spare and it's carrier at home to save weight on the already-heavy tongue. Not a recommendation, just what we will do.

[Pat Cassity]

Thanks folks. Appreciate your input.


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[SteveSueMac]

Brian (wingeezer) - I keep getting emails in my personal account that our emails aren't working but I got your email with the picture and posted it in #16 up thread. Sorry I haven't been able to communicate otherwise!

[switz]

SenDel T03-66655T are the ones installed by Airstream. Obtained mine through Discount Tire.

SenDel also makes a galvanized steel wheel that I used for the spare: S62-66655TG

[dugster]

Is there any chance that a new tire warranty is voided when using an LT tire on a trailer?

[xrvr]

Possibly, but these tires should last basically forever or until you feel a need to age them out. Don't know about how the road hazard warranty would work. The Mich tires are overkill, just exactly what is needed for safety.

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

Brian (wingeezer) - I keep getting emails in my personal account that our emails aren't working but I got your email with the picture and posted it in #16 up thread. Sorry I haven't been able to communicate otherwise!

Hi Steve,

Strange for sure, not sure what gives. As you know I did get your PM with your home email address, sent the pics to you that way with a message, and got a reply from you that you received them. As you say, you did then post the pics as we discussed - so everything seems ok?!

I get easily confused with these things!

Brian.

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted by dugster

Is there any chance that a new tire warranty is voided when using an LT tire on a trailer?

Perhaps. Some tire warranties use the phrase "misapplication" - and it might be interpreted to mean that tires designed for "Light Trucks" does not include trailers.

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

Incidentally, I had at one point contacted Airstream to get a quote on new Michelins and 16" wheels since we were about to go on a trip that would've taken us neat Jackson centre - the price was more than double what I paid at a tire shop near my home. Quite a mark-up for the privilege of getting them from AS!

Brian.

One of the benefits of not buying from Airstream is the ability to take advantage of tire manufacturer rebates. I got a $100 cash card rebate and a $200 per tire price on my 16" Michelin's that I bought from discounttiredirect web site. It was also free shipping. Quite a deal.

Jack

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by dugster

Is there any chance that a new tire warranty is voided when using an LT tire on a trailer?

I think that that it would be voided. I do not find that to be a real concern as I found that new tire warranties are most often not worth the powder to blow them up.

Brian

[sailorii]

This is a great thread. The only thing not discussed here(may be elsewhere in the forums) is whether or not the 16" conversion will work on all trailers. Ours is a 2009 28' Flying Cloud. Anyone with experience with this trailer or can all Airstreams accept the 16" conversion? It would be nice to not have the baggage of the ST tires!

[nrgtrakr]

When we got it, the tires on our 75 were LT 7.00x15, 27.88 inches in diameter. The lead edge of the wheel wells were damaged from tire contact. When we replaced the tires recently (one of which could have been original), we went with a slightly smaller trailer tire (26.5" diameter) to prevent contact.

In my ideal world the trailer rims and tires would be the same as the TV. But even if that were possible space wise, the TV has 16" load rating E radials on it, the trailer only needs 15" load rating C trailer tires.

Since it's a good idea to replace the tires every 4 years or so, and tire warranties are 4 years, I end up saving money staying with what the manufacturers intended.

I see no benefit to changing to a 16" rim. But I can remember Pintos with mag wheels and fat tires, later low riders with really dangerous tire and rim changes ...

If the day comes when I think I need more ground clearance, I'll opt for the 3" lift possible with the axles.

[switz]

When we mounted the 15" SenDel wheels (same design as on my Classic, just smaller) and 15" Michelins on the 23D to replace the 14" factory wheels and GYM ST tires, the curb side front was touching the metal. Upon careful inspection, we discovered that the metal had been cut closer to the front edge of the tire opening street side than curb side. (Same guy did not do both sides of the trailer). We snipped the two inches off the curb side metal and adjusted the trim and all was well.

The difference in diameter between the 14" GYM tires at 26.7" and the 15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires at 28.9" is 2.2". The difference between the 15" GYM ST tires at 28.3" and the 15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires at 28.9" is 0.6". The difference between the 15" GYM ST tires at 28.3" and the 16" Michelin LT225/75R16/E tires at 29.2" is 0.9".

Thus the trailers with 15" tires need about 1/2" more space to clear the metal of the front edge trim for 16" tire conversion or 0.3" more space for the 15" Michelins. Note that the suspension rotates up to the rear on the bumps (trailing arm) so the wheel would not move forward enough to touch the metal even if the trailer became airborne.

When we jacked the trailer up on one side at a time to install the tires and after the sheet metal modification, the free hanging front tires did not touch the metal.

In my "images" link under the avatar are photos showing the relative sizes of new (only miles from the factory to the dealership and then my storage unit) GYM 15" tires beside the new 15" and 16" Michelins.

I had the Michelins installed onto the 15" factory rims for the 25FB and 16" SenDel rims for the Classic by my local CostCo. I brought the tires in for the installation from the storage unit and they knew the application. When a screw went into the street side front 15" Michelin on the 25FB in the radius edge of the tire, it was not repairable and the tire was replaced under the road hazard warranty. The tires for the 23D were purchased and installed onto the 15" SenDel rims by a local Discount Tire and I took them to the dealership to have them installed as the trailer was out of state.

I do not expect there will be a tread warranty issue for the Michelins as the time will elapse before the mileage warranty would be could even be reached. Being located in the the Phoenix area, summer heat takes a toll on the life of the tires even though the trailers are under roof and the tires are covered.

At the factory, when you walk into the customer service area, there is the 16" tire and wheel display with a sign saying they can be installed on all recent trailers with 15" GYM tires.

[Craig Schrader]

Pat Cassity,
Right down the road from you in Silsbee Tx. Purchased our wheels and tires from Discount Tire. Not the cheapest but easier to deal with one shop.
Michelin LTX M/S LT225 / 75R 16E1FRD115R tires at $192.00 each.
Sendel T0-6665ST 16" wheels at $115.40 each.

Steel valve stems, spin balance, and associated mounting costs at $140.00
This purchase was in December of 2013, so Iam sure prices have changed.

I put them on our 2009 27' International with no issues.

[Pat Cassity]

Thanks folks. Ordered the 16" Michelins and Sendels from Discount Tire yesterday. $1319 installed with metal stems. Plus, I get the $70 visa gift card. I really appreciate all the help!


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[jcanavera]

What was nice for me was the Internet side of Discount Tire. Good prices, rebates, plus free shipping. No local sales taxes, and they have mounting and balancing agreements with dealers in towns and states where they have no local presence. Took my old tires and wheels in with my Sendel's and the new Michelin's to NTB locally who has the mounting agreement with Discount Tire. Cost was $16.50 for removing the tire from the old wheel, mounting the tire on the new wheel and balancing. I supplied the valve stems. I sold the old wheels on Craig's List. I left the old tires at NTB. No need to inflict the ST's on another even though I could have gotten a few bucks in selling the two that hadn't failed as of yet.

Jack

[Pat Cassity]

Well, just got a call from Discount and they aren't able to get the all silver T03s from Sendel either. They do have the ones with the inside of the spokes painted black. Anyone have pictures of these on their trailer?


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