Michelins on vintage Airstream

[Safari64]

Has anyone verified that Michelin LTX M/S 2 P235/75 R 15 tires will fit in wheel well and run smooth on a 1960's single axle Airstream?

I've read threads for days, all I find reference use of Michelin LT tires on newer Airstreams.

Currently running P225 Marathons.

Would like to install Michelins LTX P235s on 1964 Safari with new 15" wheels.

Specifically on wheels from Andy (Part# 11147, 2600 pound rated, 15 x 6 steel, 6 lug on 5 1/2" bolt circle).

I like the Michelins LTs on my SUV and have had more than my share of "issues" with GY Marathons and Carlilses.

Thanks

Sorry for another tire thread.

[Phoenix]

See short summary of tire posts on this forum, at link below:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...ml#post1292576

Also, enter "235/75x15" in SEARCH window to locate individual posts on this subject.

[NJtoNC]

Has anyone verified that Michelin LTX M/S 2 P235/75 R 15 tires will fit in wheel well and run smooth on a 1960's single axle Airstream?

confirmed. we installed these on our 62 globetrotter.

from my receipt: P235/75R-15 Michelin LTX M/S2 XL

on edit: we felt it was a good choice. we've been up to philly and back to NC on them. they are still relatively new, but there is plenty of clearance. we have new wheels and axle.

[Melody Ranch]

I tried the 235 x 75 x 15 on my 66 Caravel and they would not fit. I run those same wheels and tires on the Bubbles and the Cloud and they are fine.

[Safari64]

Thank you,
That's what I was looking for, specific experience with Michelin LTX 15" fitted on 1962-66 Airstream single axle trailers.

thanks

[Jewel65]

This thread is the only one I have found addressing my question. I would be interested in running a LTX tire on my 65 Caravel. I have to get new wheels and tires. I was looking at VTS narrow 15" wheel that is 5" rim width, but can't find LTX tires to fit that size rim. If I went with a 6" rim is there an LTX tire that would fit my Caravel? any experience with mid 60's Caravels here? The wheel well is tight!

[DFlores]

I have been looking to run the LTX tire as well, my research has come up with an alternative......Maxxis TL 15713000, 225/75r15 with a weight rating of 2,830....but I sure would appreciate any input from someone with actual experience with this product.

[Jewel65]

I was looking at the Maxxis too. I think it is the most respected brand of trailer tire by many. The 205/75r15 will fit the 5" wide rim and Maxxis makes that size. However, I am thinking now I might get the 6" rim, so I can have the option of using a 225 tire if I decide to go with LTX tires. I am just not sure the combo will fit in my Caravel wheel well. If there is anybody out there that has confirmed the 6" wide wheel and 225/75r15 combo will work let me know.

[r carl]

Please don't even consider a china tire. Do the right thing and get these.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....rtnum=700R5215

[Jewel65]

That's one I haven't considered. I'll take a look at it. Made in Japan is probably better. I don't trust most Chinese tires either, but it has to do with the quality control from the manufacture. If the manufacture is strict enough there are some good Chinese tires. I think Maxxis has this down, unlike Goodyear.

[safari62]

It is time for me to renew my tires and am also looking to try another brand. Michelin LTX or Yokohama???

This would be for the 62' Safari. Load range D OK?

Gary

[Jewel65]

Ok. I have been digging further and have come to the conclusion after reading as much here as I can that 225 tires won't fit the Caravel. I will be ordering 5" wide wheels and put on 205 tires. Last night I checked the old ones on my trailer and they are 205/75 R15. I was not sure the old tires and wheels were correct, but it looks like they are, so I now know what to order. I can't find Michelin LTX in this size, so I guess I will be either going with a trailer tire or another brand truck tire. I'll get the wheels first, then choose a tire. More thinking to do...

[Lance M]

You might consider these-
GoodYear Wrangler HT LT 215/7515 LRD

[Jewel65]

Originally Posted by Top

You might consider these-
GoodYear Wrangler HT LT 215/7515 LRD

Thanks for the suggestion but those are still too wide. 215 minimum rim size is 5.5" width. I will need 205.

[Lance M]

OK well then how about these?
Continental Vanco 2 or GoodYear Cargo G26

I installed a pair of the Contis on the last Caravel I worked on. It was a new axle installation as well, so I changed the hubs to 6x5.5 pattern.
The new rims were from etrailer. Dexstar brand.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

[Jewel65]

Lance,
Very nice work! I looked through your pictures and it looks like there is plenty of room there. I'll take a look at these 195's. They look like they aren't much smaller than the 205 size, so this might be an option for me. I don't know why they don't make 205 size in truck tires, but maybe these will be a good replacement size. Thanks!

[Safari64]

Well, today I finally installed new Michelin LTX M/S 2 P235/75 R 15 tires on new wheels from Andy (Part# 11147, 2600 pound rated, 15 x 6 steel, 6 lug on 5 1/2" bolt circle) on my '64 Safari. Seem to fit nice. Installed Centramatic balancers as well. Haven't hit the road yet.

The Michelin side wall says max inflation 50#. The old Marathons ran at 65#.

What should Michelin LTX tire pressure be for trailer use?

Road trip!

Safari64

[Andrew T]

If you weigh it sometime you can set your pressure to the weight you are carrying. In the mean time run them at 50 PSI to be on the safe side. You should notice a considerably better ride on the single axle.

Andrew T

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by Safari64

Well, today I finally installed new Michelin LTX M/S 2 P235/75 R 15 tires on new wheels from Andy (Part# 11147, 2600 pound rated, 15 x 6 steel, 6 lug on 5 1/2" bolt circle) on my '64 Safari. Seem to fit nice. Installed Centramatic balancers as well. Haven't hit the road yet.

The Michelin side wall says max inflation 50#. The old Marathons ran at 65#.

What should Michelin LTX tire pressure be for trailer use?

Road trip!

Safari64

Hi there. Where did you get the figure of 2600 pound rating on these tires? That sounds like a lot of capacity but I don't think these tires have that much.

Mine are stamped with 2183 on the sidewalls and that has to be derated 10% as they are a passenger tire being used on a trailer. So they actually have 1984 pounds of capacity per tire.

How much does your trailer weigh loaded for camping?

http://m.tirerack.com/tires/specification.jsp

[SteveSueMac]

Oh and on the pressure, I asked the same question and got a full 50 psi answer from some of the tire experts on the forum.