All day fixing wheel well

[cwf]

These are the ones I put on my 34' Excella

GoodyearÂ*Wrangler HT

Highway All-Season
Size:
LT215/75R15 106/103Q

[blkmagikca]

After a catastrophic failure of a GYM ST tire in May, I did the full monty in July - new axles, new 16" Sendel wheels & Michelin LTX 225/75R16(E) tires at 80 psi - all done at the mothership. I also had Centramatics installed (and had them installed on the TV too). Was out last week for a rally and drove 1,000 miles - ride was as smooth as silk, tires were maybe 5 degrees above ambient when we stopped after driving for several hours at 60 mph.

[Silverflames]

What's the load rating on the LTX tires?


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[blkmagikca]

Originally Posted by Silverflames

What's the load rating on the LTX tires?


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1120 Kg @ 80 psi (2,469 lbs @ 80 psi)

[Silverflames]

That sounds like what I need.


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[r carl]

Originally Posted by Silverflames

My local tire shop told me that Lt tires would develop flat spots since they are not designed to sit unused. Any problems so far? It sounded odd to me.


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I don't think steel belted radials have a problem getting flat spots, its the tires with nylon cords. (Bias ply)

[perryg114]

Any tire will thump a little after sitting a while. Most of the time, it settles out after the tire gets warm.

Perry

[AL’ UM- MONEY]

Can someone with knowledge of Michelin explain the codes. Lt, ltx, any other codes that distinguish difference especially weight limits. Is the LTX the top of the line?

[Silverflames]

ST: Standard trailer
LT: light truck
LTX: Light truck extra load can carry more weight than LT.


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[Lance M]

The Michelin LTX is a "line" of tires for Light Trucks, SUVs and Crossover vehicles. They market the LTX M/S, LTX M/S2, LTX A/T2, LTX A/S, and LTX Winter.

They come in both "P" passenger rated, "P" passenger "XL" eXtra Load and "LT" light truck rated.

Shop for Light Truck Tires | Michelin Tires

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by Silverflames

ST: Standard trailer
LT: light truck
LTX: Light truck extra load can carry more weight than LT.


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I believe "ST" stands for Special Trailer, and means they are specially for trailers and not to be used on passenger vehicles.

[AL’ UM- MONEY]

Top, the Michelin site you referred me to was very helpful. My plans next week is to start shopping the best prices. I'm sure this has been discussed in length but going from a 15 to a 16 inch tire if I keep the same size like a 225-75 should only increase the radius by 1/2 inch. I have new axels and seems like room around the wheel well and trim but I sure don't want to spend this kind of bundle of cash and it be too close. I had to buy a new tire just to get home as a spare and hasn't touched the ground, that's two tires in two weeks, It's getting old.

[blkmagikca]

Originally Posted by GAT

Top, the Michelin site you referred me to was very helpful. My plans next week is to start shopping the best prices. I'm sure this has been discussed in length but going from a 15 to a 16 inch tire if I keep the same size like a 225-75 should only increase the radius by 1/2 inch. I have new axles and seems like room around the wheel well and trim but I sure don't want to spend this kind of bundle of cash and it be too close. I had to buy a new tire just to get home as a spare and hasn't touched the ground, that's two tires in two weeks, It's getting old.

We did this at the AS factory service. Ours was new axles (they were 28 years old), new 16" wheels with Michelin LTX225/75R16(E) tires -inflated to 80 psi -and Centramatics. The ride is smooth and the tires are cool (maybe 2 degrees above ambient temp at 60 mph).

[johncook]

First of all, a lot of people that have heavy trailers with 15" trailer tires change tires every 2 years to avoid blowouts. Your tires have a date code stamped in the side. This is especialy important if your trailer sits for 2 or 3 months at a time. Flat spots develope and distroy the tire. Also protect your tires from the sun. The uv rays will distroy the tires.
The solution is to place your trailer on jack stands and reduce the air pressure while in storage. I have just learned this lesson. A blow out on the road last week proved to be from flat spots.
I have now purchased new 16" Michelin LTX MS/2. [truck tires] and after I have the damaged coach repaired $$$, I'll install them, place the coach on jack stands as well as reduce the air pressure and put covers on the tires. Should be good for 5 years.
I would like to have your comments
Thank You
John Cook

[cwf]

John, solid plan, IMHO.

With all the debris being lost on I35 alone, I check my car and truck tires regularly. And I only drive on it when I have been bludgeoned into capitulation.....well, not quite that bad.. But I avoid whenever possible. And I check my tires.

Above all, adding tire Monitors showed amazing facts. I now can tell if a tire acting up. Even tho I respect Top, I don't want to damage the AS if possible.

I have 4 ton jack stands I put fore and aft on the "axle mounting plate" to Unload the tires and axles. I do one side at a time with 4 ton floor jack. Lifting over 4000 # is still a thrill... Then move to other side and repeat.

A friend of mine uses large dark garbage bags to cover the wheels/tires. Cheap. So far tires appear to be liking the treatment.

[johncook]

Originally Posted by GAT

Last week a Carlile tire with about 2500 miles came unglued on the way home. Catastrophic failure. I spent most of the day fixing wheel well and banana wrap. I ask the tire dealer what he recommended his only idea is to carry two spaires seems to me a comment on the tire industry. Just venting.

2 year tires are good for 2 years, If you are sure you want to chance it by having 2 spares, then perhaps you should also get a spare wheel lip molding and banana wrap for each side. My suggestion is to go to Michelin LTX M/S2 on 16" rims. Good for 5 years and also 10 PLY. 1 spare, no need for a spare wheel lip molding and banana wrap. You should put the trailer on jack stands and let out some of the air if the trailer is going to sit for more than a week. Do this and you will have done all you can to avoid blow-outs. After all how much extra work is this and then there is the saftety aspects.
If you want to save money ... get rid of the AS.

[switz]

Note that the 15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires are sidewall rated to 2,193 pounds and will fit on the factory 15" wheels. But per Federal Regulation 49 CFR 571.110, they must be derated 10% to 1,985 pounds for trailer use.

*******************************************
49 CFR 571.110

Tire selection and rims and motor home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less.


S4.2.2.1
Except as provided in S4.2.2.2, the sum of the maximum load ratings of the tires fitted to an axle shall not be less than the GAWR of the axle system as specified on the vehicle's certification label required by 49 CFR part 567. If the certification label shows more than one GAWR for the axle system, the sum shall be not less than the GAWR corresponding to the size designation of the tires fitted to the axle.

S4.2.2.2
When passenger car tires are installed on an MPV, truck, bus, or trailer, each tire's load rating is reduced by dividing it by 1.10 before determining, under S4.2.2.1, the sum of the maximum load ratings of the tires fitted to an axle.

S4.2.2.3
(a) For vehicles, except trailers with no designated seating positions, equipped with passenger car tires, the vehicle normal load on the tire shall be no greater than 94 percent of the derated load rating at the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure for that tire.
(b) For vehicles, except trailers with no designated seating positions, equipped with LT tires, the vehicle normal load on the tire shall be no greater than 94 percent of the load rating at the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure for that tire.
******************************************

They have more than adequate load capacity for the 2013 25FB International Serenity we owned with a GVW of 7,300 pounds and would even be safe for the 27/28 models with a GVW of 7,600 pounds. They are not adequate for the 2014 Classic 27FB with a GVW of 9,000 pounds.

Check out this link for SenDel wheels.

T03BM | Sendel Wheels

The T03-66655T wheels are used by Airstream as the 16" wheels for the Eddie Bauer and the 2015 Classic along with Michelin LT225/75R16/E LTX M/S2 tires rated at 2,680 pounds at 80 psi. There is no derating of load capacity nor a speed rafting like the ST tires which are limited to 65 mph.

[MIKO92]

GAT,
I have a 78 ARGOSY minuet (19 ft, single axle).

My wheel wells (tubs?) are spent. They are cracked and repaired so badly that further patching just invites more water...Are there replacement parts? I see that Airstream has metal (aluminum?) tubs, but the installation directions say that one should leave the bottom 2 inches all around, then use a strip of AL to attach the metal tub to the old plastic tub. SOunds like insanity in my case, since those 2 inches are basically just shredds and 4 kinds of sealant used for previous repairs.

Do you know of anyone who has used Al to build/create new/replacement wheel tubs? How did you fix yours?

Thanks!
Shannon in Tenn

[blkmagikca]

Originally Posted by MIKO92

GAT,
I have a 78 ARGOSY minuet (19 ft, single axle).

My wheel wells (tubs?) are spent. They are cracked and repaired so badly that further patching just invites more water...Are there replacement parts? I see that Airstream has metal (aluminum?) tubs, but the installation directions say that one should leave the bottom 2 inches all around, then use a strip of AL to attach the metal tub to the old plastic tub. SOunds like insanity in my case, since those 2 inches are basically just shredds and 4 kinds of sealant used for previous repairs.

Do you know of anyone who has used Al to build/create new/replacement wheel tubs? How did you fix yours?

Thanks!
Shannon in Tenn

When I had my wheel wells repaired in JC in the past 2 years, they used molded plastic wheel wells which they cut down to patch only the part that was needed. My guess is that these wheel wells are parts that can be ordered through a dealer. They may require some cutting to modify them to fit in your Argosy.

[AL’ UM- MONEY]

Shannon, In my case most of the damage was to the rear at the well. It got the belly pan, banana wrap and well trim. It put a one inch hole in the well it's self. Mine is a type plastic not aluminum so I patched it and sealed as it doesn't show. Except for my time it was not as bad as it could have been. The saving grace to all of this with both tires is the tread released quickly before it did lots of damage.