Tire dealer says...

[AIR-Quarius]

Today I called a trailer dealership on the outside of town. I told him I wanted all new tires (not wheels) for this Airstream. He said OK - I will need to know what size tire then I can order them. OK - so I know these are 15 tires...and upon a closer look, the old tires are said to be truck tires. So I do know the wheels have six lugnuts each. And I am looking to pay about 120 at least for each tire. or more.... So does any one have a recommendation of an identification number for a standard airstream tire?

[wkerfoot]

Truck tires were common for the older Airstream and other trailers. They were considered to withstand harder use than passenger tires. My 1954 speced truck tires, don't know when specialty trailer tires became available.

Bill

Originally Posted by AIR-Quarius

Today I called a trailer dealership on the outside of town. I told him I wanted all new tires (not wheels) for this Airstream. He said OK - I will need to know what size tire then I can order them. OK - so I know these are 15 tires...and upon a closer look, the old tires are said to be truck tires. So I do know the wheels have six lugnuts each. And I am looking to pay about 120 at least for each tire. or more.... So does any one have a recommendation of an identification number for a standard airstream tire?

[AIR-Quarius]

Well...I am looking for a decent set of them and need an ID number if some one has a type of tire that will do. The dealer had formerly sold me three truck tires that matched, but they were used (and still are) and he said he would not guarantee them. This photo is one of the three I had bought and you can see the number ID.

[DKB_SATX]

What sort of an ID number are you looking for? A size?

The tires on my '70s trailer are 235/75R15 radials (specific Michelin LTX M/S2s, about which there is some controversy. No one who's ever put them on their trailer has had any problems, to my knowledge, but lots of people who've never used them say they're unsuitable.)

You can get that same size in ST tires from Carlisle, Goodyear, etc.

[AIR-Quarius]

Thats a good enough number for me.. I just need to write it down and get it to him so he can order them. On our budget we can only buy just so many things at a time, but the tires are oh so important you know. Rather be on new instead of used and be wondering.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by AIR-Quarius

Thats a good enough number for me.. I just need to write it down and get it to him so he can order them. On our budget we can only buy just so many things at a time, but the tires are oh so important you know. Rather be on new instead of used and be wondering.

If you order ST tires you'll want to specify the right load rating. My '75 24' Argosy had C-rated tires when I got it, and the radials I put on it have a similar load-carrying capacity. I don't know how heavy your Overlander is as you have it set up, you may want Ds but I have a friend who uses the same Michelins as mine on his '72 Ambassador (29') and he has thousands of trouble-free miles on them so far.

If I recall correctly, not a lot of shops stock C-rated ST tires in that size, they seem to usually start with load range D, but they can get the Cs if you want.

[AIR-Quarius]

Where would I look to find the Load Rating?

[AIR-Quarius]

Originally Posted by AIR-Quarius

Where would I look to find the Load Rating?

In the owners manual?

[Tom Nugler]

The owners manual from that year will specify a 700-15 8 ply rating. Not especially useful today.
I'm running ST 235/75 R15 load range D on my Tradewind.
Here's a link to Tire Racks load range FAQs.
Tire Tech Information - Load Range/Ply Rating Identification

Tom

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by AIR-Quarius

Where would I look to find the Load Rating?

The above photo appears to be a load range D tire.
A quality "D" rated replacement should work well for you.

Bob

[featherbedder]

Google discount direct they have info that gives all info on all numbers on sidewalls

[adonh]

Looks at some of threads on using Light Truck Radials and convert to 16" wheels. The 15" ST tires have had a long history of failure especialy the Good Year Maritron.

Don
1976 31' Sovereign - 16' Eagle Alloy Wheels BF Goodrich LT Tires

[Lance M]

I have the Michelin LTX M/S2 P 235/75/15 XL tires. So far, so good. I highly recommend them. There are other options in 15" non ST tires that I would also recommend.

Continental Vanco 2

Yokohama RY 215

Pirelli Scorpion STR-A

[Steve Bryant]

AIR-Quarius,
Unless you just go on relatively short trips all of the time, I'd skip the 15" ST tires. adonh has it right, there's too much bad history in the past decade on ST tires. It didn't use to be this way. I've owned three travel trailers and GYM tires have been my tire of choice since the 80s, but no longer. There are many threads on the merits of going to 16" wheels and LT tires in this forum.

My son sells agricultural equipment and tows three different trailers to deliver the equipment (animal scales, squeeze chutes, etc. and he and others have been burned numerous times with blowouts and other failures with ST tires, so he's been using LT tires for the past several years. What I'm saying here is that the tire failures are not limited to travel trailers. The old grey ST mare, she ain't what she used to be!

Steve