Well....It finally happened...GYM blowout

[Gilmurr]

After reading about GYM problems....we had our first blowout on the weekend. We were on a narrow 2 lane road with almost no shoulder so we had to drive for a bit until we reached a Church parking lot. Fortunately there was no damage to wheel well or trailer. Also thanks for all the posts here on the forum!! My wife figured we needed to call for help...but having read the tire change threads etc, rolled the good wheel up a ramp, off with the bad tire, on with the spare which was low on air. Across the road from the church, a gentleman had a air compressor in his garage and offered to let us use it. You have to love the kindness of strangers on the road!

So now I am on the hunt for new tires for our '98 Excella, 30ft. Anyone have any leads on where here in Halifax, Nova Scotia?

Photo of our GYM

[Tyvekcat]

Glad there was no damage to your Airstream. That's always a bonus when a tire blows out. Are you going to stay with a 15 inch tire ?
I think the 15 inch Michelins are getting harder to find in the ' LT ' series, but they are out there.
I think Hercules still makes a 15 inch trailer tire in Load range 'D' and 'E' . I had good luck with them on a previous trailer.
It's always cool when a nice church parking lot is placed at an opportune spot, gravel or paved, when an emergency occurs. Almost like divine intervention. I have used quite a few in my travels, and been thankful when I needed one.
Have a good one!

[Gilmurr]

Going through the threads here trying to decide on 15 or 16 inch. Have to check to see what is available locally. Sounds like the Michelin LTX 235/75R115 XL might be the way to go if I can find them.

[handn]

I have 15 inch Michelin tires on my 25 Safari. If your trailer is three axle 15 inch tires will probably work for you as they have enough load carrying capacity. Load range is a little over 2,000 pounds per tire.
Despite thousands of miles of freeway driving in very hot weather, I have had no issue with my tires. Bonuses are a smooth soft ride and the ability to go 70+mph if I am in a hurry.

[AWCHIEF]

As long as tires are man made they will blow out, that includes all brands. Happens to everyone eventually. Proper maintenance, correct pressure [not to high or low], and safe driving speed contribute to longer life.

[Siegmann]

Gilmurr-- Just curious, do you know the weight of your rig and the age of your GYM's?

[Gilmurr]

Dry weight of our duel axle Excella is 7200 lbs....so likely 8000 lbs loaded...estimate, as I have not had it weighed. I have to double check the age of the GYM...I checked in the spring and I believe they are 2007....so I know their time was up.

[Foiled Again]

That is one EVIL looking tire - I'm so glad it didn't damage the wheel well or worse the side of the trailer. I've been very happy with my 16 inch Michelin tires, however they do fit just a tiny bit tighter in the wheel wells... and I'm not towing a vintage unit.

So if you can find the 15's go with them - and spare yourself the cost of new rims.

Yes, the kindness of strangers is something we all appreciate, isn't it?

Paula

[Siegmann]

Highly recommend weighing... also side to side. Yup, 7 years. They were on borrowed time.

[Gilmurr]

I Have a line on Michelin LTX M/S2 235/75 R15 XL tires for $897 installed. Any thoughts on this as a good choise for replacements?

Thanks

[cwf]

Glad y'all and AS ok!

[CBWELL]

They should be good, but make sure they are load range 108 of higher. Put new tires on my 34' before bringing home from Alberta, and told the shop (Fountain Tire) that they must be balanced. Went for coffee after showing tech how and where to jack the trailer. All ready to go and told " installed and balanced and ready to go". Have put about 2000 miles on trailer and noticed drawers etc opened, but last trip door fell of fridge. Looked at all 6 wheels yesterday, and pulled trim rings off. There were no wheel weights on any of the wheels either side. Just got back from tire shop (Fountain Tire) in Winnipeg. Will be calling the original shop as well as their head office to complain. I am not a happy Airstream owner. When in the shop make sure they balance the wheels and have them show you that they have been done. Fountain Tire in Winnipeg told me that they never balance trailer tires. Watch to make sure they do!!!

[Gilmurr]

Tire specs:
TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15
SPEED RATING: T
LOAD INDEX: 108
LOAD RANGE: XL
UTQG: 720 A A
TIRE WARRANTY: 70,000 mi.
SIDEWALL: RWL
TREAD DEPTH: 12/32 in.
RIM SIZE: 15 in.
MAX LOAD (SINGLE): 1985 lb.
SERVICE DESCRIPTION: 108T

Price quoted are for install on rims and balance. I will go to their commercial location and remove tires myself with the ramp one wheel up method. Don't trust anyone to try and use jacks to lift.

[Lance M]

Hi Glimurr,
I have the Michelins you list above. I love them so far. My Ambassador carries 6,000lbs on the axles fully loaded, so they have plenty of capacity for my trailer. Your Excella is a good bit heavier, however. I think you would be better suited with a load range D tire. Pirelli makes a load range D Scorpion LT 235/75/15. Another option would be a Continental Vanco2 225/70/15 LRD if you can find it. There is also a GoodYear Cargo G26 225/70/15 LRD. I have also read of a LRE Nokian 235/75/15, but not sure of a retailer.
At any rate, I think you'd be making an upgrade from the GYMs. Luckily they didn't shred your trailer to pieces.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[RLS]

Gilmurr,

With that weight, I would go along with what Top is saying. Your weight is to close to the limit for the Michelin tires. JMHO

[switz]

We had the Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires on our 2013 25FB International Serenity with a GVW of 7,300 pounds. Loaded for camping the axles were supporting 5,950 pounds. The tongue weight was 1,175 pounds camping ready.

These tires need to be derated 10% from 2,183 pounds load capacity (on side wall) at 50 psi to 1,985 pounds for trailer use per Federal regulation 49 CFR 571.110. Four tires would support 7,940 pounds.

They would probably carry the axle load with a 10% safety margin if the the loaded axle weight was under 7,150 pounds. The tire purchase decision requires a scale weigh ticket with the trailer fully loaded for camping to have an accurate axle load versus wishful thinking. Even better would be individual tire loads information to be sure no one tire is overloaded.

[pmclemore]

My experience with a Canada shop is that they always carefully torque the nuts but do not ever balance trailer tires. No matter whether I wanted them to or not.

I now have Centramatics.

Pat

[Airtandem]

Switz; I am looking at the Firestone Destination LE 2. They appear to have the same specs as the Michelins. All 4 balanced and installed for under $600. Tires are 235 75R 15. Made in Canada.
I know one person using these tires and has several K miles on them and was concerned about the 50 PSI. He said the trailer runs softer and has not affected the MPG

[Al and Missy]

I have read that it is a DOT or FMVSS requirement to fit replacement tires with equal or higher load carrying capacity than the manufacturer's recommended tires on the tire placard. While I can't find that guidance on DOT or FMVSS web sites, every tire manufacturer I checked, including goodyear, Nitto, continental and maxxis has this in their selection recommendations. In my case that results in tires with nearly 10,000 lb. of load carrying capacity on a trailer with a GVWR of only 6300 lb. I'm reluctant to use tires with 10 or 20 percent margin over the GVWR.

[CBWELL]

Hello Gilmurr. I put a set of Maxmiler ST 228/75/15 on my 34'. They have a weight rating of 2830 lb. per tire with a max inflation of 80 psi. I am running at 60 lb. now and seem to be good. Price was decent, and I am happy with them. Make sure you get them balanced! I don't think that you will find a LT tire that will give you this kind of rating.