Using a 15" as a spare

[switz]

The Michelin tire warranty applies for approved installations.

So the 15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires, while adequate for even the 27' model Airstreams, would not considered an approved application since they must be derated to 1,983 pounds capacity per tire. Wiggle room to deny a claim?

The 16" Michelin LT225/75R16/E LTX M/S2 tires are installed by Airstream on both the two Eddie Bauer models and the 2015 and later 31' Classic model. They are also an option for most other models that the factory will install. This creates an official endorsement that this tire is approved for trailer use.

Thus one would have valid grounds for warranty status for the 16" tires, but the 15" tire could be at the whim of the dealer.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by switz

The Michelin tire warranty applies for approved installations.

So the 15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires, while adequate for even the 27' model Airstreams, would not considered an approved application since they must be derated to 1,983 pounds capacity per tire. Wiggle room to deny a claim?

The 16" Michelin LT225/75R16/E LTX M/S2 tires are installed by Airstream on both the two Eddie Bauer models and the 2015 and later 31' Classic model. They are also an option for most other models that the factory will install. This creates an official endorsement that this tire is approved for trailer use.

Thus one would have valid grounds for warranty status for the 16" tires, but the 15" tire could be at the whim of the dealer.

Do you overload tires?

[switz]

The carrying capacity of the four 15" Michelins was completely adequate for our 7,300 GVW 2013 25FB International Serenity and the other 25' models as the axles were carrying around 6,200 pounds. I weighed each wheel with my two sets of individual wheel scales and all was within spec with a safety factor. One would be pushing the safe limits for the 7,600 pound GVW rating associated with 27/28' models where the axle loads could increase a few hundred pounds.

CanAm recommends the 15" Michelins for the 34' Airstreams as well. I have scaled over 8,000 pounds on the 2014 31' Classic axles, so I know the 15" tires would be inadequate.

So the tires were not overloaded in our 15" scenario and the 16" Michelins have more load capacity (2,680 pounds at 80 psi) than the 15" Goodyear tires (2,540 pounds at 65 psi) Airstream installed on our 2014 Classic. The truck tires, when inflated to the pressures on the door post, have the same load capacity as the trucks axles.

So no, I have not overloaded the tires on either the truck or my trailers.

[m.hony]

Our previous sob trailer had 15" wheels and a 14" spare. I don't think it will hurt a thing.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by BoldAdventure

I opted for no spare. The Michelins don't seem likely to blow out so I carry a Mushroom Style Tire Plug Kit and Air compressor. (We'll see if this bites me in the butt)

Your comment about having no spare makes me wonder how many are running without spares? The thought crossed my mind as a weight reduction idea. Not saying it's a good idea but....!

Do you travel without a spare tire for your AS?

[m.hony]

What good is a spare without a jack or lug wrench?


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[Rolland]

Because of the short life of radial tires and the tread separation problems I still use 7:00 X 15 bias ply trailer tires, have never had a problem Rolland


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[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by BoldAdventure

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Like type II diabetes, blow outs are completely preventable. I'll let you know how it works out.

I've been towing campers since 1970. Not one flat on a trailer in that whole time. I bought a used trailer once and drove it from VA to FL to NC on 12 year old Goodyear Marathons (US made). Lucky!!!!!
I've always carried a spare though.
Now I've jinxed my self. Next out time my number will come up

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by m.hony

What good is a spare without a jack or lug wrench?

Please excuse my ignorance as I haven't picked up my AS yet. But this is a question that I've never considered. Does an AS come with a lug wrench and jack?

[BoldAdventure]

Originally Posted by Hans627

Please excuse my ignorance as I haven't picked up my AS yet. But this is a question that I've never considered. Does an AS come with a lug wrench and jack?

Nope.

[AtomicNo13]

A lug wrench and a jack? No, that's asking for a lot!

[ckottum]

Originally Posted by Hans627

Your comment about having no spare makes me wonder how many are running without spares? The thought crossed my mind as a weight reduction idea. Not saying it's a good idea but....!

Do you travel without a spare tire for your AS?

As you can read here, different Airstreamers can reason traveling with or without a spare, some can reason two spares.

We have 16" Michelin LTX on our Airstream, and the original 15" spare, traveling widely throughout the country every year.

Hitch weight reduction is a goal of ours as well. I think we would be fine without the spare considering the rare (virtually no history of it) occurrence of a blowout with these Michelins. That's why we bought them in the first place.

If we pick up a nail, we can remove one tire and run on three to the nearest tire repair shop. We would most probably repair the tire puncture soon as possible anyway, spare or no spare.

Unless we plan a trip with really bad roads next long tour this fall (Alaska for example), we will not have the spare along.

cheryl

[BoldAdventure]

Don't get me wrong, I'd take a spare to Alaska. Like Cheryl pointed out, if you have the Michelins and are diligent in your tires, not over loading, proper inflation, not using tires past their expiration date, etc - then it's reasonable to believe you can completely avoid a blow out. 90% preventable (IMO).

That leaves you with road debris, nails, roofing tacks, glass, thorns, etc that can puncture the tire. I'm going to go with nails and screws as being the most likely object your tire would encounter that could cause a flat.

Logic follows you can do like Cheryl, and take it to a shop or patch it yourself on the side of the road. Me, I prefer to just perform my own plug.

My last flat tire was in 2011, picked up a nail and had a slow leak.

Ask yourself when you last had a flat and think about the odds.

And believe me, I'm generally someone who would fall into the "prepper" category. I'm not running around with 2 spares.

[switz]

For the Alaskan caravan, two spare are strongly suggested for both vehicles. The nearest tire store could be a long ways down the road.

[Larry C]

Plugs are a temporary fix for a tire leak. Most tire makers recommend unmounting the tire, and put a patch on the inside of the tire....plugs can and do leak..

Also in regards to a spare, on radial tires, which most or all of us use, if a nail, bolt, or whatever the offending object is, damages anywhere on the sidewall of a tire, (even where the tread meets the sidewall), that tire has to be replaced.

You people who choose not to carry a spare, please feel free to do so, I will carry a spare of the proper size...

For whatever it's worth.

Larry

Originally Posted by BoldAdventure

Don't get me wrong, I'd take a spare to Alaska. Like Cheryl pointed out, if you have the Michelins and are diligent in your tires, not over loading, proper inflation, not using tires past their expiration date, etc - then it's reasonable to believe you can completely avoid a blow out. 90% preventable (IMO).

That leaves you with road debris, nails, roofing tacks, glass, thorns, etc that can puncture the tire. I'm going to go with nails and screws as being the most likely object your tire would encounter that could cause a flat.

Logic follows you can do like Cheryl, and take it to a shop or patch it yourself on the side of the road. Me, I prefer to just perform my own plug.

My last flat tire was in 2011, picked up a nail and had a slow leak.

Ask yourself when you last had a flat and think about the odds.

And believe me, I'm generally someone who would fall into the "prepper" category. I'm not running around with 2 spares.