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Old 12-11-2015, 10:11 AM   #21
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ST vs LT

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Originally Posted by switz View Post
The 14" GoodYear Marathon ST215/75R14C tire is rated 1,870 pounds @ 50 psi and is 26.7" in diameter.

The 15" GoodYear Marathon ST225/75R15D tire is rated 2,540 pounds @ 65 psi and is 28.3" in diameter.

The existing 15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tire is sidewall rated 2,183 pounds @ 50 psi but has to be derated to 1,985 pounds for trailer use and is 28.9" in diameter.

The 16" Michelin LT225/75R16/E LTX M/S2 tire is rated 2,680 pounds @ 80 psi and is 29.2" in diameter.

When we switched from the stock 14" GYM tires and wheels on our 2015 23D International to the 15" Michelins mounted on 15" SenDel T03-56545T wheels (matches the 16" SenDel T03-66655T wheels on our Classic), we raised the trailer 1.1" higher off the ground and increased the load capacity 125 pounds per tire. We run the 15" Michelins at a lower pressure of 44 psi.

When we switched the stock 15" GYM tires to the 15" Michelins on the 2013 25FB International Serenity, we raised the trailer about 1/4" in height using the factory wheels. Camping ready, the 25FB had less than 5,900 pounds of axle weight. We ran the Michelins at 44 psi per CanAm recommendation.

So the 16" tire is less than an inch taller in diameter which raises the trailer just under 1/2" in overall height and also increases ground clearance by that amount. The hitch would be looking for the tow vehicle ball to also be about 1/2" higher for the trailer to sit level.

The switch to the 16" tires for the 20' single axle trailers provides a small increase in load capacity as well as a tire that has had a better service history. One can find a 1/2" taller shank for the ball on the tow vehicle without too much problem.

The left photo is a 15" GYM on the left with a 15" Michelin on the right with both mounted on the stock Airstream wheel.

The right photo is a 15" GYM on the left with a 16" Michelin on the right with both mounted on the appropriate wheels.

Hi,

We have a 28ft Intl with the 15 in. Marathon Tires, we keep them at 60 psi, so far we have driven round 24K miles with them without any problems whatsoever. We keep our speed no higher than 60 miles. My question is why we should upgrade or downgrade to LT tire that is not specifically constructed for trailer use. There is a lot of threads and literature online about ST vs LT. So, what's the deal?
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Old 12-11-2015, 12:17 PM   #22
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following this as well. Looking to add the 15" Michelin tires to my trailer here in the next 12 months. My current tires are exactly 3 years old. With 3 axles, weight shouldnt be an issue. Just curious about the performance of the LTXs.
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Old 12-11-2015, 12:53 PM   #23
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I'm following as well. I would love to have Michelins, but didn't want to have to move up to 16". I'll keep watching......
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Old 12-11-2015, 01:45 PM   #24
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Trailer Tires

A different voice ---

I took delivery of a 2016 27 FB a month or so ago. What was recommended to me was to replace the 15 inch Goodyear Marathons. What others recommended as the replacement in 1st place was Michelin XPS Ribs. The problem there is that they only come in 16 inch sizes, so to replace them means not only new tires but also new rims. Furthermore, the XPS Ribs are around $250 each, so the replacement means approx $1,000 in tires & $500 in rims = $1,500, ouch! The 2nd place replacement recommendation was 15 inch Maxxis E-load rating, I think they're the 8008. I got four of them including shipping for under $500 & replaced the Marathons with them. Time will tell if the replacement was worth the time & cost.
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Old 12-11-2015, 03:59 PM   #25
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Michelin Defender LTX M/S 235/75-15 109T XL

Quote:
Originally Posted by Makaira View Post
Hi,



We have a 28ft Intl with the 15 in. Marathon Tires, we keep them at 60 psi, so far we have driven round 24K miles with them without any problems whatsoever. We keep our speed no higher than 60 miles. My question is why we should upgrade or downgrade to LT tire that is not specifically constructed for trailer use. There is a lot of threads and literature online about ST vs LT. So, what's the deal?

There are so many threads on "the deal" about ST vs. LT that one can hardly avoid them. As the OP, I suggest we not re-hash that issue here, focusing instead on what we learn about this new Michelin tire as it hits the market next March.

Since the new tire's not out yet, all we have today is specs and speculation. My speculation is that it will be a great way for us to move from an ST tire to something else for our 27FB with 15" wheels, given our trailer seems to fit comfortably within this tire's slightly enhanced load capacity (109T on this one vs. 108T on the previous Michelin).
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Old 12-11-2015, 04:04 PM   #26
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Kelvin - what problems do you see at 50 PSI? We use the Michelin 15s at that PSI and have no problems at all. In fact, I wouldn't dare run them lower for fear of overheating them or losing my "capacity cushion".
x2, I run the same tires at 50 pounds pressure and the ride is sooo much better than ST tires.
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Old 12-11-2015, 04:59 PM   #27
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I have a question for those who have upgraded from 15", 5-lug wheels to 16" wheels and have not upgraded the axles. Were you able to find 5-lug 16" wheels, hopefully in steel rims?

In 2011 we upgraded our '99 Safari from 14" wheels to 16", however they have 6-lugs, and we did upgrade to new axles. We are wanting to run the Michelin XPS 16" tires on another trailer without changing the axles, and am wondering about how others handled the lug situation.

Thank you for any info.

Deb
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Old 12-11-2015, 05:13 PM   #28
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Hey, Cruiser, topic police! Please ask that question in a different thread. Meanwhile, BoldAdventure and MHoney both posted very detailed information on that topic earlier in the year. Search and ye shall find.
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Old 12-11-2015, 06:10 PM   #29
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Rocinante, yes, I guess this was a bit off-topic, so sorry, not trying to hijack the thread, but I noticed some others also mentioned other things about different size wheels, tires, etc. which were not mentioned in the original post and hoped to hear from someone on it.

Also, I am aware of those other posts, but I do not recall reading how they handled the 5- vs 6-lug situation -- I'll have to reread them tho as you say they covered this well.

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Old 12-11-2015, 06:33 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RWills View Post
A different voice ---
...
Good info, thanks RWills.

OP - We have a '16 FC FB 27 also, very interested in this thread, as we have the GYMs.

I've used Michelin tires exclusively on all my cars, and replaced the Contis on my Roadtrek (now sold) with Michelin LTX M/S2's. Will definitely keep an eye on this thread in 2016.

Rich
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Old 12-11-2015, 08:16 PM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Air Cruiser View Post
Rocinante, yes, I guess this was a bit off-topic, so sorry, not trying to hijack the thread, but I noticed some others also mentioned other things about different size wheels, tires, etc. which were not mentioned in the original post and hoped to hear from someone on it.

Also, I am aware of those other posts, but I do not recall reading how they handled the 5- vs 6-lug situation -- I'll have to reread them tho as you say they covered this well.

Deb
Here you go, sorry this I couldn't find the thread from the iPad app, but now I have it. This should be helpful: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f465...ms-130350.html
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Old 12-11-2015, 08:36 PM   #32
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Maxxis

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Thanks, Rich.

We're thinking the same thing - it seems mostly the same tire with a slightly higher load capacity. This may be exactly what we need in a 15" tire for our 27FB. Nobody local has this tire in stock, but they all say we can special order. When we're ready to replace our GYMs, we'd love go this way vs. up-sizing to 16" wheels.
Have you checked the Maxxis tires, they have a 10plie rated tire with higher payload than the Michelin. A horse work tire we used here in baja Mx to tow our 28ft trailer. Max inflation is 80psa we use them at 60 psa at any speed and roads that you can't imagine and so far over 30k miles no issues at all. I have read all this non sense thread and the usr Makira has a good point. what is the deal? there are a millon things that can cause a tire to be bad, manufacture deffect, over load, inflation, speed, but most is the way you drive and treat your vehicle. My trailer came with the Good Year Marathon which I liked a lot after 12K miles but I replaced them for the Maxxis for our trip to Mexico and basically for the rough roads down south. However i don't understand why Airstream decided now to ship the heavier trailers with Lt Michelin Tires after using ST tires for many years. Do you guy's know? And like any other thing the new company Thor is doing, why not order a special ST tire from any mnanufacturer to suit the Airstreams? we are suppossed to have the best ever TT on the road and we are paying top dollar for it, so why in the name of God people are comenting, oh, we have to get rid of the stock cheap tire for a better quality one? Or spend another few hundred dollars for ? Are you all lost your mind?
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Old 12-11-2015, 08:57 PM   #33
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SenDel makes the T03-66655T wheels that Airstream uses/used on the Eddie Bauer models and the 2015 and later Classics. They also make 15" and 14" wheels with the appropriate five or six bolt pattern on the proper diameter with the correct center holes so the original hubcaps can be used on the new wheels. They have two versions - one with black highlights and one just polished aluminum.

T03BM | Sendel Wheels

We ordered their 15" wheel with the five bolt pattern of the 14" drum brakes for the 23D (T03-56445T).

Thus both our Classic and our 23D have similar appearance wheels.
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Old 12-11-2015, 08:58 PM   #34
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From Discount Tire:
"Michelin's best standard passenger tire, offering 90,000 miles of confident driving through exceptional safety, longevity and a quiet, comfortable ride"

I just installed a set of Michelin Defender 215/65R15 on my Studebaker Avanti R1. Superb handing and ride.
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Old 12-11-2015, 08:58 PM   #35
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You chose to put Maxxis tires on when your GYMs needed replacing. You're welcome to them.

We and others are looking at other options for when the same happens to us. That doesn't require asking whether folks have lost their minds, now does it?
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Old 12-11-2015, 09:08 PM   #36
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As far as the RV manufacture is concerned, the super cheap ST tire has to get the trailer down the assembly line, out the door and across the scales. After that the trailer belongs to the dealership. If the trailer makes it there, it is a bonus.

Then Joe customer comes and hooks up the tow vehicle. As the trailer tail lights clear the dealership lot line, the the entire rig including the ST tires are his to worry about. If the tire fails at the first stop light or much later, that is bonus repair business for the dealership.

We can even say that the super cheap plastic latches Airstream uses in their cabinets, but that is another thread.
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Old 12-11-2015, 11:02 PM   #37
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After 10 summers, + or - 60,000 mi., 28 tires (2 sets of GYMs, 1 set of Carlislse, 1 set of Maxxis), all failures due to tread separation. I got Airstream to change to 16" wheels and Michelin M/S LTX LT225/75 R16, Load Range E. This past October, Discount Tire put 5 Michelin Defenders on the Truck. Man do they ride good. Lessons learned: The 15" to 16" fit is of no consequence, the tire height difference is due to thicker tread on truck vs. ST tires and the tire diameters are a little greater. Although, I've only pulled them a little over a year they seem to be running smooth and no slight leaks. We will see. I can tell you for sure the reliability of the Michelins over the STs on my 3 axle rig couldn't be any worse. What a PITA this has been. Discount Tire really treated me well with refunds and exchanges going through all of the above. Discount Tire said because the availability of 15" truck tires is almost non existent I should go to 16" in case of a failure. If you are worried about 16" wheel fit call Airstream Service and talk to Kevin, their foreman, about your model. Also, I aways balance tires, run Centermatics, check tire pressure every morning and hourly while running with my Doran PressurePro TPMS. Other than that... Merry Christmas.
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Old 12-12-2015, 10:14 AM   #38
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Quote:
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As far as the RV manufacture is concerned, the super cheap ST tire has to get the trailer down the assembly line, out the door and across the scales. After that the trailer belongs to the dealership. If the trailer makes it there, it is a bonus.

Then Joe customer comes and hooks up the tow vehicle. As the trailer tail lights clear the dealership lot line, the the entire rig including the ST tires are his to worry about. If the tire fails at the first stop light or much later, that is bonus repair business for the dealership.

We can even say that the super cheap plastic latches Airstream uses in their cabinets, but that is another thread.
Just wondering, Did all you AS owners get a print-out with the individual tire loads or is the idea that AS actually runs all units across a set of scales just a hope?
Also have to wonder what anyone thinks the value is of weighing an empty TT?
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Old 12-12-2015, 01:33 PM   #39
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I suspect it was a figure of speech. At most, it's probably a faint hope that the actual dry weight of the trailer matches the specs.
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Old 12-12-2015, 02:05 PM   #40
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I will be buying another set of 15" XL tires this summer so I might end up the the Defenders. Will be my 3rd set. First was LTX LT, second was LTX p235 tires. Both were great. I just bite the bullet and change tires on the trailer we pull every 4 years. Tires have to be rated for the maximum axle load weight on the trailer. I would rather run Michelins XL's at closer to the maximum rated weight than ST tires with a larger rated margin. I do not think the ratings for ST and P tires are done in the same manner so they do not directly compare.
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