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12-12-2014, 07:42 PM
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#1
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Tom and Phyllis
2018 30' Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
Tuscaloosa
, Alabama
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 137
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Goodyear tires
Good link, check it out.
I was wondering about my tires so I found this website. My AS is about 5 years old now so I believe I am approaching the end. Seems like I have heard about a certain "year" life. However this link mentions just checking the depth of the sidewall cracks.
Tire Replacement Guidelines - Goodyear RV
__________________
Tom, Phyllis, and two Siberian Huskies
2018 30ft Flying Cloud
2015 Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel Crew Cab
LD Valley w/ 800 lb trunion bars
Honda eu3000is & 2200 generator
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12-13-2014, 06:59 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2008 22' Safari
Oracle
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,174
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You are in the end.
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12-13-2014, 07:05 AM
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#3
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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LT,
IMHO 5-7 years is a good baseline for replacement.
I have used 7 only because of my storage routine during our off Season....jack-stands & removal. Helpful in tire and axle longevity.
Covering and off the concrete also a good thing when in use.
Bob
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12-13-2014, 07:43 AM
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#4
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retired USA/USAF
2001 30' Excella
Somerset
, New Jersey
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,418
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There's much discussion here on the forum. Read to your hearts content or when you fall asleep. Whichever comes first. You can then decide if you want to replace your tires with ST's, LT's or even to keep them for awhile longer.
__________________
Roger in NJ
" Democracy is the worst form of government. Except for all the rest"
Winston Churchill 1948
TAC - NJ 18
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12-14-2014, 07:32 AM
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#5
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Tom and Phyllis
2018 30' Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
Tuscaloosa
, Alabama
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 137
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Thanks, people. I perhaps could get another year but I will be going out to Arizona last of January to the Alumafiesta in Tucson. From Alabama. Much of the distance will be along open road with tire stores far apart. Do not want something bad to happen while traveling 60-65.
__________________
Tom, Phyllis, and two Siberian Huskies
2018 30ft Flying Cloud
2015 Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel Crew Cab
LD Valley w/ 800 lb trunion bars
Honda eu3000is & 2200 generator
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12-14-2014, 07:48 AM
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#6
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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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I guess that Ram handles the trailer well. My vote is for you to change the trailer tires now before leaving. Having to buy a tire or a set of tires on the way would rate as a minor inconvenience. The real problem is if one of the tire belts lets go and does $6000 or so damage to the trailer. That is a fairly common type failure. It can beat up the side of the trailer and it can go through the plastic wheel well and into the trailer and the plumbing. Tires get weaker every year whether it shows on the surface or not. I know several people who have had extensive damage from a failed tire.
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12-14-2014, 08:06 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2002 31' Classic
Currently Looking...
Monroe
, Iowa
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 649
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I have a 30' snowmobile trailer that I was pulling to Tennessee to pick up some freight. The tires were all 5 to 8 years old. However, they all looked good.
Before I made it to TN I blew every one of those 4 tires, one at a time. The first one to go was the oldest. The 5 yr old tire was the last one to go. I spent the better part of an entire day in tire shops along the way.
Now that was with an enpty trailer, with almost 4' of ground clearance, and heavy steel tubing above the tires. I had no damage to the trailer.
When I got back to Iowa, I took that trailer, with it's 4 mismatched tires to my local tire shop, and had 4 new 10 ply tires put on.
Your Airstream wouldn't have fared so well under those circumstances. If you blow even one tire, the damage to your trailer could be way more than a set of new tires. Buy a set of new tires before hitting the road.
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12-15-2014, 04:28 AM
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#8
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CapriRacer
I'm in the
, US
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 989
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I notice that the information at the Goodyear webpage is a little short of specifics. That is, how many years, how many miles, etc.
A rule of thumb I have developed is that frequently used tires (as on a car or a pickup truck), the age limit is 6 years for hot states (AZ, CA, NV, TX, and FL), and 10 years for cold states (WI, MN, ND, MT, and MI). States in between are .... ah ..... in between.
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12-19-2014, 07:46 PM
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#9
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Tom and Phyllis
2018 30' Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
Tuscaloosa
, Alabama
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 137
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I bought the GY Marathons at Sams Club, $91 ea. Had them mounted today. I used a DeWalt Impact Driver (cordless) to put back on AS. I am now wondering if this power tool can torque down the lug nuts enough. Does anybody else use this tool for this job? BTW, on the old 5 year Marathons we found one with separated belt, although not coming apart yet. And one had a bad spot burned by the electric brakes locking up the tire. Code date 1209, made in Dec 2009.
__________________
Tom, Phyllis, and two Siberian Huskies
2018 30ft Flying Cloud
2015 Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel Crew Cab
LD Valley w/ 800 lb trunion bars
Honda eu3000is & 2200 generator
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12-19-2014, 08:11 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W
, New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky Tom
I used a DeWalt Impact Driver (cordless) to put back on AS. I am now wondering if this power tool can torque down the lug nuts enough.
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Your Airstream manual probably says 100 or 110 foot pounds of torque. Does the DeWalt manual identify its torque? I have an 18v driver that seems very powerful but I use a torque wrench for my lug nuts so I know for sure. Good luck!
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12-19-2014, 08:19 PM
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#11
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retired USA/USAF
2001 30' Excella
Somerset
, New Jersey
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,418
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I wouldn't trust the impact gun to torque the nuts. It's great for removing the nuts with minimal effort and spinning them back on but I strongly advise NOT to torque the nuts with the gun. After spinning them back on and making them snug finish torquing them manually.
PS: I carry one also. And the generator to use it
__________________
Roger in NJ
" Democracy is the worst form of government. Except for all the rest"
Winston Churchill 1948
TAC - NJ 18
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12-19-2014, 08:32 PM
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#12
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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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The driver does not have enough control of torque even if it has an adequate amount of torque which I sorta doubt it does. You need to tighten them with a torque wrench or a breaker bar or lug wrench with a estimate of the force. And once is not enough. You need to torque them and then re-torque them after 50 or so miles. Stop at a rest area and get out the wrench.
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12-19-2014, 08:44 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Frederick
, Maryland
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 22
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Use a torque wrench set for 110 ft lbs. Check at 10, 25 and rechecked at 50 miles. DO NOT over torque. Check each lug, they may loosen.
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12-20-2014, 11:37 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1986 31' Sovereign
Miami
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,137
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I use a 100 ft/lb torque stick on my impact driver, then check with the torque wrench. Quick and easy.
Mike
__________________
Sorta new (usually dirty) Nissan Titan XD (hardly paid for)
Middle-aged Safari SE
Young, lovely bride
Dismissive cat
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12-20-2014, 12:00 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2019 27' International
2014 25' International
2006 23' Safari SE
Boulder City
, Nevada
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,703
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Lucky Tom... I owned a 2006 23 foot Safari. My complaint with the Goodyear 14 inch tires is that they are easily punctured with road gravel and should have axles and wheels like every other Airstream... 15".
I had luck with other brands that have been covered on the Forum. My experience with Goodyear and some inexpensive Chinese tires... DON'T. Costco has an excellent brand and that is what we found very sturdy and longevity.
Your choice of replacement tires for 14 inch trailer rated are not as good as the 15 inch tires.
In my lifetime I have never had a lug nut loosen or fall off. Snug is best.
I had a neighbor twenty years ago where his wife had ALL five lug nuts come off at the same time and lost it while driving from work. I said it seemed like someone had a grudge against her. He thought they just were not tightened well. So, it is not a bad idea to just check for "snug". If you notice a vibration from the tow vehicle or trailer... pull over gently and check.
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12-20-2014, 12:20 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2005 30' Classic
Burlington
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,743
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Quote:
Originally Posted by n2916s
I use a 100 ft/lb torque stick on my impact driver, then check with the torque wrench. Quick and easy.
Mike
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I started doing things the same way just last year - I was impressed how accurately the torque stick seems to work!
Brian.
__________________
Brian & Connie Mitchell
2005 Classic 30'
Hensley Arrow / Centramatics
2008 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD,4x4,Crew Cab, Diesel, Leer cap.
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12-20-2014, 12:48 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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Hi, I replaced my tires as needed. Two developed sidewall bubbles at abut 3.5 years old and two started to separate at 7 years old. Always use a torque wrench when tightening your lug nuts. Use Centramatics to help balance your system, mostly for the factory un-balanced brake drums. Un-balanced wheels will beat your trailer to death and do the same to your tires. I torque my wheels when ever they have been removed and once more at my first destination of the day. I re-check/torque my lug nuts before every trip. I have never had any sideway cracks in any of my trailer tires; I did have some sidewall cracks in my Lincoln tires once and they were replaced right away. To me, [my opinion] sideway cracks are a sign of tires preparing to come apart.
__________________
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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12-24-2014, 03:35 PM
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#18
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2 Rivet Member
1978 29' Ambassador
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky Tom
I bought the GY Marathons at Sams Club, $91 ea. Had them mounted today. I used a DeWalt Impact Driver (cordless) to put back on AS. I am now wondering if this power tool can torque down the lug nuts enough. Does anybody else use this tool for this job? BTW, on the old 5 year Marathons we found one with separated belt, although not coming apart yet. And one had a bad spot burned by the electric brakes locking up the tire. Code date 1209, made in Dec 2009.
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The lot date code on your tires is likely the twelfth week of 2009 - usually it's the week of the year, followed by the year. i.e. if made today, it would be 5214.
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12-24-2014, 03:50 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 811
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky Tom
Thanks, people. I perhaps could get another year but I will be going out to Arizona last of January to the Alumafiesta in Tucson. From Alabama. Much of the distance will be along open road with tire stores far apart. Do not want something bad to happen while traveling 60-65.
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Not to worry, tire stores are at nearly exit on the interstate in the south and SW. Exploding truck and ST tires keep them busy in the summer. Provided you go slow, tire trouble is much less likely in the winter.
If you are buying tires, I would go with LT of P rated extra load. You have a small trailer so you should be able to find them in your load range without changing wheels. 225 is the standard 15 inch size, but 235's will fit without difficulty. The cost is not that much more and blowouts are much less common. With lower inflation and more flex in the sidewall, your ride will be much smoother with motor vehicle tires.
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