Optional 16" tire sizes for a 34'

[excellaf350]

Problem: my 34 has a Hensley I currently scrape the spring bars on the ground pulling out of my driveway. There's a slight incline. When the rear tires of my truck roll off the edge of the apron to the street I drag the bars for about 2-3 feet. I've been using wood in the street to help me clear. I had a new driveway and apron poured last year and I hate to damage any of it.

Trailer has steel 15's with 225/75/15's currently and they are listed as 28" tall. Only 4 year old E rated Carlisel tires in great shape but I want to put the rims on and want to improve the clearance issue at the same time. I don't need much but at the same time the more the merrier...

I already have a set of new aluminum 16" wheels, just need new rubber. So thinking of improving my clearance issue with larger tires. The standard 225/75/16 generally list at about 29.4" tall. This will help but only by about 3/4" of added height on the trailer.

So I've been looking at optional sizes.
215/85/16 (30.4" tall) or 235/85/16 (31.7" tall) the 235's will raise it by 2 full inches. Haven't decided on a brand or anything yet.

Curious if anyone is running anything larger than the standard 225/75/16 tire and how well they fit. Looking at my 34' I think the front axle is going to be the one that will be close. I may have to do some clearancing to make them fit. Anyone running larger tires on a 34? Got pics and comments?

[CBWELL]

What year is the trailer? I replaced the axles on my 1994, 34', and it is now about 3 inches higher than it was before replacement. Check to see if your axles are bad before anything else. You can go to Inland RV's site to find out more about checking the axles.
Chris

[excellaf350]

It's a 99. Honestly never thought about that. But my 29 did the same thing just not a bad.

I will def check it out but I'm fairly confident the axles at good.

I'm def gonna do this just curious if I'm the Guinea pig for it or not.


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[Action]

Correct trailer height and hitch height would be needed. Here is Airstream's data page for 1999 models. If your hitch ball is set to he correct height and the trailer is not level that may be an indication of axle issues.

http://www.airstream.com/wp-content/...b95610d786.pdf

>>>>>>>>>Action

[excellaf350]

I will definitely check. But my my scraping problems are because of the long long trailer and the angle of the driveway. The Hensley and spring bars hang several inches if not close to a foot below the hitch ball height. Doesn't leave much room for backing up an incline the crown of my street goes down while the driveway goes up. Just works out the rear tires of the truck are headed down the lowest part of the street while the trailer is headed up the steepest part at the same time.

I will most definitely check trailer height though.


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[tjdonahoe]

Take the bars off before going up the incline, you will have better traction on your drive wheels...

[Joohntooth]

I mounted XPS 235/85R15 tires on my 2104 FC 28'. This was not intentional for I ordered them on-line at Tire Rack after seeing a special deal. These tires are almost 32" in diameter so they are much wider than the OEM GY 15". The rear tire had plenty of clearance but the front only had about one inch from the front wheel well. This was only after I trimmed a portion of the wheel well trim and bending back some metal that overextended into the well. I posted this issue AF and got a lot of advice from- It should be fine to replace with 225/75R16E. I spoke to a tech rep at Airstream and was told it will be fine for there is not forward movement of the tires- only up and down, But we decided to return the 235's and replace with 225's for peace of mind and since Tire Rack was willing to make the exchange within 30 days. Hope this helps.

[Joohntooth]

oops- I meant XPS 235/85R16E not 15,

[cwf]

New axles... Far cheaper than new driveway

Yes, I did mine recently.. Same tires wheels. ProPrIde hitch.

[excellaf350]

Originally Posted by Joohntooth

I mounted XPS 235/85R15 tires on my 2104 FC 28'. This was not intentional for I ordered them on-line at Tire Rack after seeing a special deal. These tires are almost 32" in diameter so they are much wider than the OEM GY 15". The rear tire had plenty of clearance but the front only had about one inch from the front wheel well. This was only after I trimmed a portion of the wheel well trim and bending back some metal that overextended into the well. I posted this issue AF and got a lot of advice from- It should be fine to replace with 225/75R16E. I spoke to a tech rep at Airstream and was told it will be fine for there is not forward movement of the tires- only up and down, But we decided to return the 235's and replace with 225's for peace of mind and since Tire Rack was willing to make the exchange within 30 days. Hope this helps.

Yeah we were talking in your other post... So you did switch to the 225's but the 235's did fit. (With some trimming) my other option is the 215/85's. Still larger than at 30.4" but not quite at big as 32"... There should be no movement forward or backwards just Up and down, but there certainly could be side to side.... Ever watch a 34' on a tight turn? Woah there's just a little tire deflection on front and rear axles, lol.

[excellaf350]

Originally Posted by cwf

New axles... Far cheaper than new driveway

Yes, I did mine recently.. Same tires wheels. ProPrIde hitch.

New driveway is already done. And I could have bought another airstream for what I have in it. That's why I really don't want to scrape it.

So you did 235/85/16's?

[excellaf350]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

Take the bars off before going up the incline, you will have better traction on your drive wheels...

Always an option I suppose. But taking the bars off is a real PITA and to do that every time I go in and out of my driveway would drive me insane!

If I put some wood at the end of the driveway in the street I can get out without scraping. It's tight but doesn't scrape. I'm ok with tight...

[excellaf350]

Originally Posted by Action

Correct trailer height and hitch height would be needed. Here is Airstream's data page for 1999 models. If your hitch ball is set to he correct height and the trailer is not level that may be an indication of axle issues.

http://www.airstream.com/wp-content/...b95610d786.pdf

>>>>>>>>>Action

Took your advice and made some measurements yesterday. With hitch set at factory height I'm within 5/8" maybe 3/4" of level at the back of the trailer so, I'm gonna say axles are fine. Obviously what's in the trailer will affect that but it's in "winter mode" right now here up in the NE. Tanks empty and what not but several piles of camping gear that normally go in the truck are in there now.

[cwf]

Originally Posted by excellaf350

New driveway is already done. And I could have bought another airstream for what I have in it. That's why I really don't want to scrape it.

So you did 235/85/16's?

Nope.. stayed with the 15" wheels... they are steel and in great shape..

The 16" will only give a a little height...

What worked for me was ramps I fabricated from 2x4 stacks, glued together..

[excellaf350]

Originally Posted by cwf

Nope.. stayed with the 15" wheels... they are steel and in great shape..



The 16" will only give a a little height...



What worked for me was ramps I fabricated from 2x4 stacks, glued together..

Looks great. Your driveway look similar to mine. I'll find a pic and post. I already own the wheels, just need some rubber. Figured I'd just help it some with a little extra height. Won't get me much but 1-2" just might be enough to ditch the wood and crap.

[excellaf350]

Here it is. Doesn't look like much but the crown of the street has the ass end of the truck goin down and the ass end of the trailer is goin up the driveway. With the Hensley bars already only 10" off the ground they just don't clear the sidewalk. In and out that's the only part that scrapes.


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