Largest tire size w/ Dexter 3" lift kit installed?

[Airstreamkup]

Hello all. I am wondering what the largest 16" tire I could put on my 2010 Flying Cloud 19' would be with the 3" lift kit that is available online.

Does anyone have any insight on this? Also, who is running a more aggressive All Terrain tire with their Airstream? BFG KO2, TOYO AT2, Duratrac, etc.???

Thank you for any help!

[Andrew T]

I think the largest diameter tire you can use is a 215/85R x 16" LT. When you raise the unit 3" plus this tire you do sacrifice some stability on the highway.

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by Andrew T

I think the largest diameter tire you can use is a 215/85R x 16" LT. When you raise the unit 3" plus this tire you do sacrifice some stability on the highway.

I have this configuration and it works well. It feels very stable to me, using LR E tires at 80psi.

The wheel well would not have the clearance for a larger tire. I don't feel there is a real justification to use a more aggressive thread.

[Airstreamkup]

Thanks AndrewT and Steamy! This is very helpful. From the looks of it I'll probably do the 215-85/16 Michelin Ltx's and a new 16" wheel. Thanks again

[carl2591]

the lift just lifts frame up but the distance between axles remains same. With my classic with 16" rims and the LT tire there is only like 4" between tires. larger tires just will not fit. Now if you had a SOB the axles tend to be further apart so a larger 32 might work for more ground clearance.

themoreweexplore (youtube) did a 3" lift and it helps a lot as they go off road more. the new wheels and tires are amazing in life, load and safety.

Originally Posted by Airstreamkup

Thanks AndrewT and Steamy! This is very helpful. From the looks of it I'll probably do the 215-85/16 Michelin Ltx's and a new 16" wheel. Thanks again

[tjdonahoe]

I have a 13, 31' classic with a 3" dexter lift kit with 225/70/16 michelins, and it is very stable and tows well.And no worries about the curb dips...

[dcasr]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

I have a 13, 31' classic with a 3" dexter lift kit with 225/70/16 michelins, and it is very stable and tows well.And no worries about the curb dips...

___________________

When you install the 3" lift kit is it one kit per axle? Do you drop the entire axle to install the kit on each side or do you drop one side at a time? Do you need to do an axle realignment after you are through?

Having the AS up 3" higher into the wind stream, does that affect fuel milage from increased drag as more of the unit is above the shielding of a pickup TV?
+d

[Andrew T]

It does not seem to affect fuel mileage very much and I doubt you would notice any difference with the Duramax. The bigger difference is that you can notice a difference in cross winds and roads with dips and high crowns.

We do not raise units very often, only for those doing off road travel. For most people it is more a mater of learning to drive through dips on an angle etc. When we do raise on we do 2" which allows us to reinforce the frame and outriggers at the same time.

The new Airstreams are 2" taller than the older ones anyway.

Andy

[carl2591]

that is interesting. What type of reinforcement would be needed on frame and outriggers as a result of raising the unit 2-3" higher? I seems to me the frames strength would not be compromised as the pad of the kit are the same width and length of the axle pad the frame sits on now from what i have seen.

not sure i understand the need for reinforcement after a small lift of 2-3".

thanks as always for your insightfullness (50 cent word just for AT)

Originally Posted by Andrew T

It does not seem to affect fuel mileage very much and I doubt you would notice any difference with the Duramax. The bigger difference is that you can notice a difference in cross winds and roads with dips and high crowns.

We do not raise units very often, only for those doing off road travel. For most people it is more a mater of learning to drive through dips on an angle etc. When we do raise on we do 2" which allows us to reinforce the frame and outriggers at the same time.

The new Airstreams are 2" taller than the older ones anyway.

Andy

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by dcasr

___________________

When you install the 3" lift kit is it one kit per axle? Do you drop the entire axle to install the kit on each side or do you drop one side at a time? Do you need to do an axle realignment after you are through?

Having the AS up 3" higher into the wind stream, does that affect fuel milage from increased drag as more of the unit is above the shielding of a pickup TV?
+d

if you watch this video it will help explain the project.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsdveR_gPIA

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by dcasr

___________________

When you install the 3" lift kit is it one kit per axle? Do you drop the entire axle to install the kit on each side or do you drop one side at a time? Do you need to do an axle realignment after you are through?

Having the AS up 3" higher into the wind stream, does that affect fuel milage from increased drag as more of the unit is above the shielding of a pickup TV?
+d

3" lift on 13 31' classic, 3" lift,16" michelins , tows good, no difference except there is no tail dragging ... 2 bottle jacks and 2 jack stands, blocks under 4 tires, remove tires from one axle, loosen bolts from one side and remove from the other, no falling as the other axle will hold it.I had to weld tangs on some of the bolts to keep them from turning,,I did scribe a verticle line with a square so I could get the axles in original position, I measured and had the alignment checked,it was rite on...2200 miles on it now...

[Andrew T]

I should have explained that better. If a customer is going to be doing serious off road travel where they will need the additional clearance there are often additional stresses on the frame as well so we are just compensating for that.

We install 7 -10' of 2x2 by 1/4 wall square tube on the bottom of the frame for the axles to sit on. This allows us to triangulate the outriggers further down on the chassis which makes them stronger. Ultimately it is the outriggers for and aft of the wheels that support the body which in turn holds the back of the frame up.

Other than some older units that had structural issues there is no need to strengthen the frame for usual highway use. However for standard highway use there is not much need to raise the unit either.

Andy

Originally Posted by carl2591

that is interesting. What type of reinforcement would be needed on frame and outriggers as a result of raising the unit 2-3" higher? I seems to me the frames strength would not be compromised as the pad of the kit are the same width and length of the axle pad the frame sits on now from what i have seen.

not sure i understand the need for reinforcement after a small lift of 2-3".

thanks as always for your insightfullness (50 cent word just for AT)

[carl2591]

good to know.. i think a lot of folks that use the raise kit is to get a bit more clearance as some do go in BLM lands which can be smooth or have a bit more rocks in the road so not really off roading in that sense of the word.

Plus as other have stated it helps with tail dragging going in and out of places.

Originally Posted by Andrew T

I should have explained that better. If a customer is going to be doing serious off road travel where they will need the additional clearance there are often additional stresses on the frame as well so we are just compensating for that.

We install 7 -10' of 2x2 by 1/4 wall square tube on the bottom of the frame for the axles to sit on. This allows us to triangulate the outriggers further down on the chassis which makes them stronger. Ultimately it is the outriggers for and aft of the wheels that support the body which in turn holds the back of the frame up.

Other than some older units that had structural issues there is no need to strengthen the frame for usual highway use. However for standard highway use there is not much need to raise the unit either.

Andy

[tjdonahoe]

3" lift kit on my 13, 31' classic ,I like it,no tail dragging in and out of the fuel stops or campgrounds,no difference when towing, almost 2000 miles now...I would do it again.

[BlueVelvet]

Originally Posted by Airstreamkup

Thanks AndrewT and Steamy! This is very helpful. From the looks of it I'll probably do the 215-85/16 Michelin Ltx's and a new 16" wheel. Thanks again

Hey can you post a pic after? How does it handle? Is your truck lifted too?
Thank you!

[2012FB]

3” lift for generator kit and angled office drive. 16” Michelin XPS RiB LT225 /75 R16

[carl2591]

got my new axles the other day.

4500 lbs
3" bracket height
32 down angle
airstream shock mount added.

checked the old hub and bearing and they are a go.

now to get new self adjust brakes and make the swap.

gotta say them some heavy SOBs.. 150 lbs each.. with the hubs and brakes i bet they are in the 200 each range. need to start spraying the nuts again with PB blaster to help with removal.

glad I got the truck cleaned out as they would not have gone through the door on airstream. and barely fit in back of truck.. I do have a 37 gallon aux fuel tank as well in back with one having to rest on bed top.


any hot tips to pass along ??

[John Ware]

Originally Posted by Airstreamkup

Hello all. I am wondering what the largest 16" tire I could put on my 2010 Flying Cloud 19' would be with the 3" lift kit that is available online.

Does anyone have any insight on this? Also, who is running a more aggressive All Terrain tire with their Airstream? BFG KO2, TOYO AT2, Duratrac, etc.???

Thank you for any help!

I can't help you on the lift, but
if you are asking about all terrain tires on your TV, then I can recommend the Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs. I have them on my F250 4x4 and they aren't noisy, work well on and off the road, and are good in the rain.

[farafield]

Originally Posted by Andrew T

The new Airstreams are 2" taller than the older ones anyway.

Andy

Which year did the change happen?