Tire at a distance

[Benjo]

New to the forum...i am researching tires for my 48 trailwind that is parked in Alabama and I am currently living in Minnesnowta. I looked it over a few weeks ago and i do remember it has 5 lugs and that's about it. I am interested in a radial tire so any suggestions would be helpful. I am attaching a photo that i snapped so that may help in the research. I want to hang onto the wheel/rim so that i can retain the moon hub cap. That is all for now. b

[TomW]

I'm in North AL if I can help.

Many older wheels were of the split-rim variety. Most tire shops nowadays can't handle them.

I understand your desire to keep the baby-moons. But you might want to research new wheels which will suit your purpose.

Tom

[Benjo]

hmmm....split rim variety. what does that actually mean? is it just an odd size rim and they don't make any tires to fit'em anymore? I would like to understand it more thoroughly so i can make the best possible decision. I am working with a trailer co. in Steele, AL. He will replace the axle (dexter), tongue, jack, coupler, lighting, etc so I figured i should work out a tire that will suite our needs. He has a lot of tires in stock but none that keep with the vintage airstream. Thanks for your input.
Sweet Home

[87MH]

Originally Posted by Benjo

hmmm....split rim variety. what does that actually mean? ..... I am working with a trailer co. in Steele, AL. He will replace the axle (dexter), tongue, jack, coupler, lighting, etc so I figured i should work out a tire that will suite our needs...

Split rims require the use of an inner tube....It would probably be difficult to find any radial tire of any type which would be compatable with a tube.

As far as the axle, the '48 is probably a pipe frame - do you plan to change to mounts out and go with a torsion axle or keep the springs?

[TomW]

Originally Posted by Benjo

... I am interested in a radial tire ...

... He has a lot of tires in stock but none that keep with the vintage airstream ...

Split rims are wheels that come apart in two pieces. They were popular up until the early sixties when, I guess, tire technicians got tired of losing arms & faces when the reassembly did not go as planned.

FWIW, bias-ply tires were standard on vintage Airstreams.

Tom

[Benjo]

thanks for the replys. this is good. to answer someone above...i plan to replace the leaf springs and axle which will enable me to choose what tire to put on. not sure what to go with but from the conversation it sounds like i should loose the split rims and move on to something more current, hence enabling me to run a radial. i rode on some nylon boat tires years ago on a trailer and i shredded'em all the way to LA until i could get to my welding buddy that ended cutting holes in the wheel well floor to make room for a larger radial tire....but that's another story and another trailer that i am trying to block out.
thanks,

[TomW]

Originally Posted by Benjo

...i plan to replace the leaf springs and axle which will enable me to choose what tire to put on. ...

The wheels are the only change necessary for different tires of a different composition.

If you choose different springs to enable the tires you want, you will alter the "vintage look".

Tom