Tire Question

[Uncle Jack]

I have an 1978 Airstream Argosy Minuet 6.7. The tires on it now are Goodyear Marathons 15X205/75. They are rated for 1820Lbs per tire at 50psi. The trailer has a gross vehicle rating of 3800Lbs this would be 1900Lbs per tire. What tire is the correct one for my trailer? The old factory manual says the original tires were 15X6 inflated to 50Lbs.

Uncle Jack

[overlander64]

Greetings Uncle Jack!

My '78 Minuet was equipped with Good Year Marathons from the factory (bias ply) so when I purchased new tires, I went with the current Good Year Marathon radials. My spare is the original spare that has never been used -- I purchased the coach from the original owner and he included the spare wheel and tire that he purchased with the coach in June of 1978.

Since it seems that Minuets have relatively modest weight carrying capacity, their travel weight is often very close to the GVWR. The capacity of the ST 205 75 R15 tires would be cutting it too close for comfort. My inclination would be to consider the Marathon in ST 225 75 R15 in load range C if the wheel wells have adequate clearance. This tire has 2,150 pounds capacity when inflated to maximum rated pressure.

On my 6.0 Metre Minuet, I feel that I am at the maximum that I would want to trust to the ST 205 75 R15 Load Range C tire. The loaded weight on my 6.0 Metre Minuet is usually 3,100 pounds or a bit more (3,250 GVWR).

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin

[markdoane]

If you subtract the tongue weight and the tire weight, you are down around 1600# per tire. I think if you never exceed the GVWR you are ok. Check the pressure every time you stop?