Replacement tires - Newbie Question!

[DanB]

Hi Folks,

I'm trying to get my running gear in order on my 1970 Safari single axle.

Right now:
-Brakes dont work!
-Axle is marginal (level, maybe slightly above)
-Wheels 6-lug and dirty, a little rusty.
-Tires 700x15 -Lots of tread, sidewall deteroirating
-No Spare

I need to be as cost effective as possible to make this safe. Labor is no problem, expensive parts are!

I'm planning on:
- Replacing brakes with new 12"x2 Dexter package.
- Leave axle for now.
- Clean up wheels & paint.
- Replace Tires.
- Get Spare

I'm having a hard time locating 700 15 tires in northern Ohio. Any idea where I might be able to buy within 100 miles of Cleveland? If not, can I put a more common tire on this rim? Is it more prudent to replace the rim & tire with something more mainstream right now? What size should I be looking at?

Thanks!

[clancy_boy]

DanB

You're going to get all kinds of help here on tires - I will stay out of that except to say buy a load range D tire and add some comfort factor to your towing.

My comment is on the rims - you can buy new at around $40 each (OEM steel wheel) and have the knowledge that they (all 3) are of a current manufacture and the load ratings will be known to you. Look (insist on) for a load rating of 2600lbs per rim. Since you will be buying one for the spare you can be safe and get 3.

Good Luck
Mike

[overlander63]

Yokohama RY215 is available in 7.00R15 load range D at Tire Rack, you can do a search for someone to install them for you.

[Action]

Weigh trailer 1st! If at all possible in full camping weight mode. Full tanks and full propane. This is a great starting point for knowing what you will need now and in the future. For today, use that # times 110% to figure the weight rating needed for tires. Then get tires that are rated over that number but not too far over.

Going on the cheap. Replace tires and get the existing brakes to work. May be it's only a disconnected wire or a bad magnet.

Do not travel in excess of the speed limit - ever. And avoid rough terain. All of this until you replace the axle. You know you will be causing damage to the trailer when you find the contents of the cupboards on the floor.

You know your axles are shot. Putting new brakes on a shot axle will be paid for a 2nd time when the axle is replaced.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action