Tires...Tires...Tires

[Bob Thompson]

I searched the house and trailer and couldn't find the invoice, so I called the company where I purchased the drums and had them recreate the invoice over the phone. Evidently, my memory suffered from a senior moment, so please forgive me. The total price for 4 new #8-201 hub/drums with 4 new inner bearings and 4 new outer bearings plus 4 new seals was $204 or roughly $51 per wheel. The company is Southwest Wheel, Ph. 361-289-0301 and I purchased them Dec. 1,'05. Southwest Wheel is a full service Dexter Dealer.

[markdoane]

I got the same price as Bob at Pioneer Wheel & Rim. $50.56 each.

[Bob Thompson]

I just checked Discount Tire on the ribbed BFG Commercial T/A's LT225/75r/16 and they were $104 for the LR"D" and $114 for LR"E" (361) 814-7050.

[Bob Thompson]

My source for Centramatics was:
Donley Enterprises
2742 Wilderness Rd.
Clay Center, Ks 67432
1-800-774-1944

(4) 300-556 Centramatic Balancers were $180

[davidz71]

Bob,
I can't remember but will the Centramatics you bought fit the 15" rim?

[Bob Thompson]

I checked the clearance between the outside edge of the Centramatics and the inside surface of my wheels and it is about 3/4", therefore, the Centramatics should fit 15" wheels. It seems reasonable to double check with your salesman before completing a Centramatic order.

[Beginner]

Bob
Heard anything bad about Eagle Alloy wheels?

[Bob Thompson]

I haven't heard anything bad about Eagle Alloys, however, there is one clear reason I didn't choose them. I wanted clear coated wheels so I wouldn't have to polish them on a semi-annual basis. The Texas salt air is tough on polished aluminum.The only clear coated wheels I could find were American Racing. The AR's were more expensive, but I don't regret spending more. Plus, AR's have a good reputation for overall quality.

[Beginner]

Bob
I'm going to take a look at them tomorrow. They are clear coated also. Like wise, the less time I spend in cosmetic maintenance, the more time I have to enjoy my Airstream. I live barely 2 miles from Chesapeake Bay and less than 20 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. The Eagle Series 058 just caught my eye. Of course they are 3040 lb load wheels.
Jim

[ticki2]

The BF Goodrich commercial TA's are an excellent tire. I have been using the 235-75R-15 on the AS alum wheels for many years . Never even had a flat , much less a blowout . Everyone I know that uses trailer rated tires has had a blowout , reguardless of brand. My .02

[uwe]

Originally Posted by Bob Thompson

I haven't heard anything bad about Eagle Alloys, however, there is one clear reason I didn't choose them. I wanted clear coated wheels so I wouldn't have to polish them on a semi-annual basis. The Texas salt air is tough on polished aluminum.The only clear coated wheels I could find were American Racing. The AR's were more expensive, but I don't regret spending more. Plus, AR's have a good reputation for overall quality.

I had A/R's on my tradeWind. I liked them a lot. Mine were Outlaw II's.
For the Overlander, I chose these:
http://www.trailertiresandwheels.net...product/AW1504
I believe they have 16's as well, for use with D-or e- rated truck tires.
They are clear coated, and the finish and fit is excellent. i was very surprised, as I had expected a muchless refined product for roughly $ 80.00

[nickcrowhurst]

I fit my trailer tires with sun protection covers when we're not on the road, and treat the sidewalls with 303 protectant. They look like new. I also examine the sidewalls regularly to check for any tiny cracks. The tires appear to be in as new condition, although I have owned them for 6 years. There is plenty of tread left on them. I thought they were in very good condition, particularly as I thought I took great care of them. Yesterday I removed one wheel to replace the water tank petcock on the kerbside, and saw that the grooves in the tread pattern of the tire had cracks all over the bottom of the grooves. In one particularly bad area, I took a screwdriver, inserted it in the crack, and was shocked to see a whole area of tread separate from the tire as I levered the screwdriver blade. I had been concentrating on protecting the sidewalls from ultraviolet and ozone. Another mistake, and another lesson learned:- Check the bottom of the tread pattern as well as the side walls. The ozone attacks even the parts the ultra-violet doesn't touch.
Nick

[davidz71]

Originally Posted by davidz71

Bob,
I can't remember but will the Centramatics you bought fit the 15" rim?

Well, the Centramatics came in and they do not fit the 15" rims that came on my '86 Sovereign. It looks like they lack about 1/4" from fitting flush inside the wheel. Oh well, I'll send them back and next April when I buy new 16" aluminum rims, I will order the Centramatics again. I have $1900 earmarked for the Yamaha 30iseb generator this year and wheels/tires and 100 watt solar system allotted for next year. The Goodyear Marathon tires are in good shape so I might as well put some rubber on the road until next year.

[Frank S]

Hi All--I am new to to the forum, and just finished reading the 9-pages of this thread. Am I the only one running bias ply LT 7:00x15-C, 6-ply rated tires. I have a 1973 27' Overlander which consistantly weighs 6200 to 6400 lbs on the rear axles, loaded, and hitched to my 2001 Suburban 1/2-ton, on a truck scale. I currently have Kelly Springfield Safari, and previously ran Stratton Super Highway (made by BFG). Always run with 45psi, interstate at 65mph, and tires only slightly warm to the touch on 90+ days. Time to replace again due to ageing, 5-yrs. Am considering the same tire by Goodyear, available at WalMart (special order from the back of the catalog). Never had a flat, or blow out. Did plenty of 1000 mile trips, over all types of roads, and mts, towing with several Chevy 1/2-ton Suburbans, and Vans. Have I been doing something wrong the past 18-years?--Frank S

[wingfoot321]

Hello Frank S,

You must be a WBCCI airstreamer?

I don't know the load rating on your bias tires on the trailer but 1600 lbs per tire is a pretty good load. I prefer to have a greater reserve factor from a load range D tire plus lower rolling resistance of radials but, that is just my preference.

I have the Kelly Safari on my van load range C.(tow utility trailer only) I haven't looked at the sidewall but, the tire should be rated at approx 2028lbs(235/75r15). I would guess your tow vehicle loaded with hitch weight at approx 6000lbs. 6000/4=1500 lbs per tire with weight dist hitch is 75%of rating. You must get some sidewall flex from a load range c tires with that big of a trailer?

What you are doing obviously works. I get a little concerned because American manufacturing is under such cost pressure from import competition. The firestone fiasco is an example of what engineering to the bottom side of tolerance can do. I prefer a low load factor whenever possible.

I am also not impressed with Walmart tires. They buy on cost only from the major manufacturers and balance, force, & x-ray are secondary concerns. Don't get me wrong, Walmart will stand behind a bad tire but, I don't want them to adjust it, I want it right in the first place.

Just my . 02

[Action]

Frank based on results it's working. Could it be better? Who knows. And it could be a lot worse.

Congrats on your success and for being a part of the forums.

BTW I am running bias ply also.

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

[Bob Thompson]

In my opinion, Frank's success can be attributed to using LT tires in lieu of ST tires. ST tires are based on passenger car tires and their load rating is at relatively "low" speeds. LT tires on the otherhand are required by DOT to carry 15% more than their rated capacity at maximum highway speeds for long durations.

When I first started this thread, I was trying to find an alternative to ST tires. Moving away from ST tires and adopting LT tires was considered dangerous by many. "Airstream wouldn't use ST tires if they weren't reliable!" Some people believed the LT tires would have sidewalls with too much flex, causing sway issues. IF I had seen Frank's solution back then, I might have very well gone in that direction to find a reliable tire solution.

[Rog0525]

Airstream supplied 7.00 x15 bias ply tires on their trailers for many years. When the ST radials were introduced to the market, Airstream decided that they were a better choice and standardized on them.
I have seen nothing in this thread or anywhere else to convince me that Airstream made a bad decision.
The fact that anyone has had long-term success with the same type of tires their vintage trailer was originally equipped with simply tells me that Airstream made a good choice of all the tires that were available at that time.

[Frank S]

Hi--My LT 7:00x15-C 6-ply rated bias ply tires have a load rating of 1720 lbs @ 45 psi, and D 8-ply rated are also available. I have never had an issue with tire flexing, or stability, even when I did my first trailer trip around lake Michigan without an equalizer hitch (have one now). I have not moved up to D 8-ply rated, being concerned about too harsh a ride, as the C 6-ply, are smooth, with no bounce, and minimum wear.
Just an aside, "Trailer Life" April 1995 said, "when used on trailers derate passenger car tires 10%, and use LT and ST tires at full load rating". "Motor Home" April 1996 said, "trailer/motor home tires should be replaced after 7-years due to age".--Frank S

[ticki2]

According to my '76 owners manual all dual axle trailers from 23' to 31' were fitted with 700x15 6 ply tires . The single axel 21' and 23' were fitted with 700x15 8 ply tires.
As a side note , I just replaced two tires on my '76 25' with BFG commercial LT 235/75/15, which is also what was removed . The old tires were manufactured in '88 , 18 years old . There was no sign of breakdown , no cracks , no nothing. I have not had the opportunity to travel thousands of miles so I cannot speak to there long term road usage , I am impressed with there long term general usage .