Recently purchased a 1958 26ft. Airstream Overlander and need four new tires, wheels and bearings. The orginal tires are 14.5 inch. Have read some postings that a 15 inch tire will work and may be alittle better. Any suggestions? Are the wheels hard to find? I understand the six slot wheel can be difficult to locate. Thanks!
Welcome to the forum - you will probably get two schools of thoughts regarding - there are those that want the original vintage look and will go with bias ply tires - I used to be in that group, but have now been convinced that radials are the way to go. Most are using Goodyear Marithons - 225 75 15 - rims should not be hard to find - just 15 inch 6 hole.
Got any pictures of your 58 - whats the serial number - California or Ohio version - I have a 58 Overlander too.
I just received my new tires in the above mentioned size from https://www.lowcosttrailersupplies.com for $84.02 each. I think maybe the company is Red Neck Trailer Supplies online retailer. The Tire Rack had a comparable price but LowCost had slightly cheaper shipping to my location.
Steve
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rat Pack
Recently purchased a 1958 26ft. Airstream Overlander and need four new tires, wheels and bearings. The orginal tires are 14.5 inch. Have read some postings that a 15 inch tire will work and may be alittle better. Any suggestions? Are the wheels hard to find? I understand the six slot wheel can be difficult to locate. Thanks!
While my Overlander is a bit newer than yours, I have been very well satisfied with the Good Year Marathon radials 225 75 R 15 ST Load Range D that I have been running on my coach since 1996. At that time, I took the coach to my Good Year dealer and had him measure all clearances as well as one of the original rims for offset/bolt circle/width; from this information he ordered new wheels (trailer rated with 2,600 pound weight rating) and the Marathon tires. (Having the dealer measure for the wheels and tires placed the responsibility on his personnel should the special order merchandise not fit - - for the trailer wheels/tires fit on first order while it took the third order before he was able to get a proper fit wheel/tire combination for my tow vehicle - - Vintage Airstreams can have very tight wheel well clearances so there is some potential for sizing issues with new tires/wheels.) I have had absolutely no problems with the tires, and had similar tires (Load Range C) installed on my Minuet. While I tow my coaches a number of miles each season, I have never worn out a set of tires - - for safety, I replace the tires after the fifth season of use. Most of the tire dealers in my area will have a catalog with a number of trailer rated wheels from which the customer can choose - - I was very tempted to purchase a set of aluminum wheels to compliment those I purchased for my tow vehicle two years ago - - the catalog that my dealer had displayed aluminum trailer rated wheels with weight capacities up to 3,600 pounds.
Good luck with your investigation!
Kevin
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Kevin D. Allen WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC/Free Wheelers #6359 AIR #827
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 VORTEC/4.11 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2 Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)
...Vintage Airstreams can have very tight wheel well clearances so there is some potential for sizing issues with new tires/wheels...
I know from personal experience, with Kevin as my witness on one of them, that a California built, '67 Overlander has tighter wheel well clearances than an Ohio built '67 Overlander.
It might behoove you to figure out where your Overlander was built as "back pocket" information.
Offset is important in choosing the correct wheels, there seem to be several variations in offset over the years. The 2600 pound rating seems standard. Also, if your coach came originally with load range C tires, you can inflate your new load range D tires to the C pressure (usually 50psi) to keep from beating up your coach as badly.
Terry
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I am using 235 75 15 radials on my unit simply because I found a deal (Sam's $50 a piece) and they would carry more weight than the goodyears. I have friends that will only use 700 15 truck tires because they have stiffer sidewalls and add some height. This only important if you are worried about tail drag. For those of us in 34's this is always a concern.
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Recently purchased a 1958 26ft. Airstream Overlander and need four new tires, wheels and bearings. The orginal tires are 14.5 inch. Have read some postings that a 15 inch tire will work and may be alittle better. Any suggestions? Are the wheels hard to find? I understand the six slot wheel can be difficult to locate. Thanks!
I have 4 original Airstream wheels with 7:00x15 LRc tires that are available. The wheels have been inspected, and sand blasted, then powder coated. They look and work like brand new.
I have 4 original hubcaps for them, and also 4 brand new baby moon hubcaps in stainless steel, chromed.
PMme if you are interested.
Ken J
Thanks for the welcom! Our 58 is a California version #-07660. I am having problems uploading my photos due to file size. The interior is alittle scary. We are planning to gut the inside and thinking about changing the layout to include a set of bunks moving the bath and a bed in the back for mom and dad. Would love to hear about your "58".
As far as pictures go - it you have some sort of photo software, you should be able to reduce the size -
Let me know if you need any interior thoughts/ideas - I just finished building all new cabinets - have not installed them yet because its the middle of winter and I got some other things to fix first.
Looks good - should not be too bad of a restore - I think your interior is better than what I started out with - just get some good paint stripper - in my case as I started removing cabinets, they just fell apart on me, so I built new ones.
Duel axle is a good thing - most were single of that vintage.
I've been reading a lot of posts about the correct tires to use this morning. I'm still a little confused as to the differences between trailer tires and truck tires. We bought a 1973 Safari that came with truck tires mounted, Mastercraft MS 225/75/15, that appear to be in good condition. We want to replace them with the safest, and best tires possible. We travel on dirt roads quite a bit and want something that will hold up with stronger side walls. Plus we're planning our first long distance road trip this July.
Any suggestions about tires would be greatly appreciated.
I've been reading a lot of posts about the correct tires to use this morning. I'm still a little confused as to the differences between trailer tires and truck tires. We bought a 1973 Safari that came with truck tires mounted, Mastercraft MS 225/75/15, that appear to be in good condition. We want to replace them with the safest, and best tires possible. We travel on dirt roads quite a bit and want something that will hold up with stronger side walls. Plus we're planning our first long distance road trip this July.
Thank you,
Marie
Any suggestions about tires would be greatly appreciated.Marie, Goodyear Mrathons, size ST225/75R15, are preferred replacement tires for your trailer. If you have a single-axle Safari (they came single or dual), load range D is preferred. If you have a dual axle, you can get load range C, if you can find them.
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Terry Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine
AIR#2611
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