1989 Excella Limited Tire Size

[Captnsteve]

Hoping for some first hand experience with this question.

Original tires are 7.00R15LT on 6 inch aluminum rims. While trying to find a proper replacement tire, I am running into walls. The forum threads are driving me crazy, and searching has not produced much help.

My best result seems to be the ST225/75R15 size. Can anyone tell me from experience if this size tire will fit the A/S Excella Limited 34 foot aluminum wheels and have clearance in the wheel wells?

BTW, tire dealers have been less than helpful here

[perryg114]

They should fit fine. You could probably go with a 235 even and it would fit. The 225 R15 is the correct tire and is the same as the older one that was specified in inches.

Perry

[bwoodtx]

For my money I would use the Michelin LTX 23575R15 XL. Excellent tire and well within your weight range. I have a friend with an "89 Limited and that is what he has in his rig. I have them on my '97 Excella 1000 wide body.

[perryg114]

I am running BF Goodrich 235XL15 on mine and they are great. I expect Michelin are even better.

Perry

[Captnsteve]

Thanks Perry and Bruce. That information is exactly what I was looking for. Now I can search for a good deal on the tires and sleep better

[perryg114]

These XL series tires are actually car tires that have about a 2000lb load capacity per tire. They ride well at 50psi and are less prone to blow outs than the cheaper made ST trailer tires. They also are speed rated so you don't have to worry about going over 65 MPH. The only possible bad aspect to them is that they grip really well and will tend to roll over when making sharp turns. Trailer tires are a bit stiffer and will tend to skid while turning as opposed to almost pulling the tire off the rim. This happens on two axle trailers but is even worse on 3 axle trailers.

Perry

[bwoodtx]

Originally Posted by perryg114

These XL series tires are actually car tires that have about a 2000lb load capacity per tire. They ride well at 50psi and are less prone to blow outs than the cheaper made ST trailer tires. They also are speed rated so you don't have to worry about going over 65 MPH. The only possible bad aspect to them is that they grip really well and will tend to roll over when making sharp turns. Trailer tires are a bit stiffer and will tend to skid while turning as opposed to almost pulling the tire off the rim. This happens on two axle trailers but is even worse on 3 axle trailers.

Perry

I should mention that Perry's scenario is an extreme condition. The truck would be almost perpendicular to the trailer for this to occur. Ther have been very few time, almost never, rally that I have found myself in this position.
The piece of mind that comes with running these tires is immeasurable.

[perryg114]

Yes I am backing at extreme angles on concrete to get the thing in my drive way. A 3 axle trailer will be worse at extreme angles because the wheels are separated by a greater distance. If you are on grass, dirt, or gravel it is not an issue.

Perry

[bwoodtx]

Originally Posted by perryg114

Yes I am backing at extreme angles on concrete to get the thing in my drive way. A 3 axle trailer will be worse at extreme angles because the wheels are separated by a greater distance. If you are on grass, dirt, or gravel it is not an issue.

Perry

I thought that might be the case . Most campground and trailer parks won't put you in a position like that. I am fortunate in that I have 6 acres to work with to get the "Big Dog" in it's kennel.

[Captnsteve]

Hi Perry and all
Getting back to you on the tires. I finally went with the new Goodyear Endurance ST 225/75 R 15 tires. These are 10 ply tires, E rated at 2840 lbs, if you run 80 lbs air pressure. My placard calls for 45 lbs on the original tires, but I went with 70 lbs as a compromise. I had been running with 65 lbs on the ancient LT tires with no troubles. Oh, also an interesting PS note here on ST vs LT; several tire stores here in Manatee County Florida refused to install an LT tire on my trailer. Just recently, the Manatee County Florida Sheriff's department was forced by the DOT to replace all their brand new LT tires on any trailers that had the LT's. FWIW

The Endurance tires have a 6 year warranty on defects and workmanship, so I am happy with that.

On another issue, I noticed you had quite a few posts about replacing your AC unit. My AS has a 16 year old Duo Therm, AC only - no heat. It is noisy and does not cool well any longer. We are planning a 3 month trip this summer and would like to have good cooling.

So what did you end up doing? Feel free to PM me.

[perryg114]

I put a Dometic Briskair II on mine. Good unit but the mechanical thermostat was total garbage. Got the heater strip with mine and it was on or off. I used a baseboard heater thermostat on that. I got the 15,000 BTU model and it keeps the trailer cool but we don't camp in mid summer so it is not that big of a deal. The only time it has a problem is when it is 90 degrees outside in full sun. The original thermostat would start cycling on and off when it got below 80 and would not let the unit turn on at all below 70. I am using the thermostat from my old Coleman and it works great. The drain cup kit works but it needs some re-engineering to work right.

The inside control panel and intake is a bit of a pain since it was made for a flat ceiling but I expect all of them are going to have issues.

Perry