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03-11-2015, 01:46 PM
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#1
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LEV ZEPPELIN
2004 19' International CCD
Chicago
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,046
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Gladiator tires????
Hi everyone.
After 12 years, I am finally going to get my 2003 19 CCD check up and new tires and a brake check.
I'm still running the original GY Marathons and despite all the terrify stories I ended up being really happy with ours. They held air forever, ussually didn't have to top off except for Spring and fall. Even today, I don't really see any dry rot, though I Keep them covered when not in use.
The dealer-service place near me in Chicago, USAdventureRV, said they could just replace the Marathons for about $175.00 per tire includes mounting etc. They will also check the brakes. Anyone use AdventureRV for service?
The service manager also mentioned Gladiator(?) tires, QR25-TS. They are 225-75 R15 D-8 ply whatever all that means. They cost $130.00 per tire.
Anyone familiar with these tires? Trying not to go crazy with cost here.
Thank you for your insight.
Jonathan
__________________
Sometimes I wish I were living in the stone age. Then I would know I'm the smartest person in the world.
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03-11-2015, 03:38 PM
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#2
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LEV ZEPPELIN
2004 19' International CCD
Chicago
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,046
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Also, it was mentioned that trailer wheels/tires don't need balancing when they are replaced. Is this true? This from USAdventure RV.
The more I read, the more i think I might go back with Marathons. Any advice welcome.
Jonathan
__________________
Sometimes I wish I were living in the stone age. Then I would know I'm the smartest person in the world.
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03-11-2015, 03:51 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,095
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Between those 2 tires I would get the Marathons. Yes, trailer tires do neen balancing, particularly on Airstreams.
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03-11-2015, 04:30 PM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
2010 20' Flying Cloud
Surry
, Virginia
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 45
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I ran my GYM's for 4 years and one tire started getting a cupping accross the tread so I pulled into a commercial truck tire dealer and had the Gladiators installed. I have about 8000 mi on them and they still look new. I like so far.
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03-11-2015, 04:58 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
1977 31' Excella 500
Berkeley Springs
, West Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,637
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Tires 101 :)
Wee Tire Primer:
225-75 R 15
225 is the width of the tire in mm
75 is the section height of the rubber, as a percentage of the width. So the height of the rubber (from the wheel to the surface of the tread) is 75% of 225mm, which is 168.75mm. You will have this both on top of the wheel, and at the bottom. 168.75mm/25.4= 6.64"
R means it's a radial (as opposed to a bias ply tire)
Q is, I think in this context, the speed rating, which I believe is 99mph.
That means the tire is tested to work OK at a sustained 99mph.
This is much better than the 65mph rating on some ST tires.
This is most likely an LT tire.
15 is the diameter of the wheel in inches.
D is the load rating of the tire, which is equivalent to the older rating system of plies, by being an 8 ply. By comparison an E rated tire is a 10 ply. A C rated tire is something less....a 6 ply I think? I don't know, I only run D's or E's.
So to calculate the width, divide 225/25.4 = 8.86"
To calculate the height, it's 2 x 6.64 + 15 = 28.28".
I can't speak to the Gladiator brand. The numbers are all good on it.
I stumbled across, and have very good luck with, the Maxxis UE-168 235/75-15 Load Range D tire. It's a Commercial tire, rated both as an LT (Light Truck) and ST (Special Trailer). I think it's basically a truck tire that they've added extra UV protectants into the sidewalls like most ST's have. I've pulled them 25,000 miles and at speeds higher than I'll say and they've been great.
The best option I think is to upgrade to 16" wheels and get Michelins. But barring that, make sure you get a quality 15" tire.
And by all means, BALANCE THEM!!!!
See ya on the road,
__________________
- Jim
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03-11-2015, 07:24 PM
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#6
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LEV ZEPPELIN
2004 19' International CCD
Chicago
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,046
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Thank you all so much for the replies. I just wonder why they said to not balance. Not instilling much confidense....and is balancing done using the lead weights on the back of the wheel? Are those weights on the oposite side?
Either way, AdventureRV has theor tires mounted someplace else since the don't have the machine.
Wish someone had experoence with this place + or -
Thanks.
Jonathan
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03-12-2015, 12:48 AM
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#7
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Moderator dude
1966 26' Overlander
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,497
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Many trailers are built for utillity not confort. As such they don't travel very fast either. Slower speeds with utillity function and not a high dollar pay load, why bother balancing the tire/wheel assembly?
And it is pretty much old school thinking. And what are we saving.... a couple of bucks a wheel?
>>>>>>>>>>>>Action
__________________
1966 Mercury Park Lane 4 DR Breezeway 410 4V, C-6, 2.80 - Streamless.
1966 Lincoln 4 door Convertible 462 4V 1971 Ford LTD Convertible 429 4V Phoenix ~ Yeah it's hot however it's a dry heat!
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03-12-2015, 01:35 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,367
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Hi, any tires and wheels used on public highways need to be balanced. Your drums will need to be balanced too since they are not balanced like drums used on cars and trucks. I use Centramatics for this.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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03-12-2015, 03:41 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Action
Many trailers are built for utillity not confort. As such they don't travel very fast either. Slower speeds with utillity function and not a high dollar pay load, why bother balancing the tire/wheel assembly?
And it is pretty much old school thinking. And what are we saving.... a couple of bucks a wheel?
>>>>>>>>>>>>Action
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You got it.
__________________
The higher your expectations the fewer your options.
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03-12-2015, 03:43 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS
Hi, any tires and wheels used on public highways need to be balanced. Your drums will need to be balanced too since they are not balanced like drums used on cars and trucks. I use Centramatics for this.
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Yes, spin balance tires and Centramatic balance hubs.
__________________
The higher your expectations the fewer your options.
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03-12-2015, 06:00 AM
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#11
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CapriRacer
I'm in the
, US
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 989
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JimGolden
......Q is, I think in this context, the speed rating ......
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Sorry, but that is in part of the name of the tire = Gladiator QR25-TS. These tires carry no speed rating - other than they are ST tires which have the 65 mph speed limitation.
(Side comment: I don't understand why many folks publish specs on ST tires and don't highlight the 65 mph speed limitation. Seems to me this is something very important!)
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03-12-2015, 06:30 AM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
2011 30' Classic
2007 25' International CCD
1993 32' Excella
Largo
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 355
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r carl
Yes, spin balance tires and Centramatic balance hubs.
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Information for what it's worth: Two weeks ago at the Alumaflamingo Rally the representative of Dexter Axle gave a presentation. He stated that the Centramatics were contraindicated on Airstreams. The wheels on Airstreams require a 0 degree offset. Adding the Centramatics changes that relationship and will cause additional wear on the bearings.
>>ron<<
__________________
2015 GMC Denali 2500, 4x4, Duramax diesel, Topper, Pro Pride 3 P, Sendel 16" with Michelin LTs, one Yellow Labrador Retriever (AS security)
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03-12-2015, 09:20 AM
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#13
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LEV ZEPPELIN
2004 19' International CCD
Chicago
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,046
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OK. So I have two camps here: one that says not to worry about wheel balancing and the other saying definitely balance, and the service people saying they don't normally balance. We travel at no more than 63MPH when towing. We are also low mileage travelers.
You guys have been great! Anyone else care to add anything. It would be so easy if everyone agreed on all points, that would make decision easy but alas...
__________________
Sometimes I wish I were living in the stone age. Then I would know I'm the smartest person in the world.
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03-12-2015, 09:55 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Mantua
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
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Balancing is really inexpensive when tires are installed.
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03-12-2015, 10:33 AM
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#15
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,401
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Balance your tires. I ran my SOB tires without balancing and they eventually developed flat spots which is indicative of an out of balance condition. It really bothers me when a tire dealer gives that kind of advice for a travel trailer. These guys are talking about utility type trailers and don't have the kind of appreciation as to the speeds and your investment in your Airstream. If it isn't needed, then consider that my Airstream had wheel balancing weights on the inside of the wheel when I bought it new. I assume that Airstream is still doing this.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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03-12-2015, 11:20 AM
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#16
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LEV ZEPPELIN
2004 19' International CCD
Chicago
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,046
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Thanks for that!
And Jack thanks for the input! I have not been as active on this forum as much as I'd like due to to busy to even breathe let alone take the AS out for a weekend.
Expiring is looking more like reality than retiring!!!!
Hope all is well. I miss Silvertwinkie....
JL
__________________
Sometimes I wish I were living in the stone age. Then I would know I'm the smartest person in the world.
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03-12-2015, 03:13 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,367
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carver 1
Information for what it's worth: Two weeks ago at the Alumaflamingo Rally the representative of Dexter Axle gave a presentation. He stated that the Centramatics were contraindicated on Airstreams. The wheels on Airstreams require a 0 degree offset. Adding the Centramatics changes that relationship and will cause additional wear on the bearings.
>>ron<<
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Hi, I'm very sorry, but if moving the wheel out 20 or 30 thousands of an inch will cause damage, their product is crap. If Dexter is so concerned, their un-balanced drums, will cause way more damage than a sheet metal thickness offset.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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03-12-2015, 04:04 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carver 1
Information for what it's worth: Two weeks ago at the Alumaflamingo Rally the representative of Dexter Axle gave a presentation. He stated that the Centramatics were contraindicated on Airstreams. The wheels on Airstreams require a 0 degree offset. Adding the Centramatics changes that relationship and will cause additional wear on the bearings.
>>ron<<
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Its hard to believe moving the wheels out less than 1//16" will overload the outer bearing. Many people have used Centramatics with no problems.
Personally I balanced my Dexter hubs by removing weight from the heavy side. You can check the balance of your hubs at the time your repacking the wheel bearings by washing out the grease from the hub and bearings. Then just put the hub on the axle with only the bearings and nut. It will spin freely if you almost snug up the nut finger tight.
__________________
The higher your expectations the fewer your options.
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03-12-2015, 04:06 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS
Hi, I'm very sorry, but if moving the wheel out 20 or 30 thousands of an inch will cause damage, their product is crap. If Dexter is so concerned, their un-balanced drums, will cause way more damage than a sheet metal thickness offset.
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I second that.
__________________
The higher your expectations the fewer your options.
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03-13-2015, 08:29 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
1977 31' Excella 500
Berkeley Springs
, West Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,637
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Correction Noted
Oopsie! You got me, CapriRacer
There is a Q speed rating, which I believe is 99mph, but the Gladiator isn't it.
Bad on me for seeing Q in the name and thinking that was the speed rating...
I gotta get more sleep before I post on here....
__________________
- Jim
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