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Old 01-27-2016, 07:49 PM   #1
kpayne
 
2015 28' Flying Cloud
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Where to get tire upgrade on new Airstream

After reading many of the comments on the Goodyear Marathons that are apparently the standard tire on new Airstreams, i am seriously considering an upgrade before I suffer one of the numerous tire failures cited in these forums. I have a 2015 28 foot FC rear queen purchased last October with the standard 15 inch Goodyear marathons. If I choose to upgrade at this point, would I be best served by taking the coach back to JC (was there this November just to visit and noted they have Michelin upgrade tires prominently displayed in their visitor center) where they can also modify the spare tire holder for 16 inches, or can this upgrade be done locally at a reputable tire dealership? Many thanks for your input!
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Old 01-27-2016, 08:01 PM   #2
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I live too far away from JC. I'm just doing it myself. Not much different than getting tires for a car. Total cost, five wheels and tires, should be well below 2k. Check around.

My Marathons are four years old and have thousands of miles on them. Since your trailer is practically brand new I think your risk of tire failure is pretty low right now.
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Old 01-27-2016, 08:13 PM   #3
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Kpayne, you brought up an issue that's had a lot of play over the last couple weeks on this forum. It's quite amazing that JC is displaying Michelin while installing GY Marathon junk tires on new builds.
I've decided to keep my 15" wheels but replace the rubber with Maxxis E-10 ply tires. Just my choice & somewhat of a roll of the dice & only time will tell.
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Old 01-27-2016, 09:28 PM   #4
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I have a 2012 International 25' FB; bought new in April 2012. I replaced the Marathons approx two years ago with Kenda Loadstars per recommendations from other Airstreamers. I didn't experience any particular problems with the Goodyears, but my temp and pressure sensor readings were all over the place and not consistent. Since installing the Loadstars I have noticed that all temp and pressure readings are always within a couple points among all tires. They have handled some lousy roads quite well, at least better than some of the flyables in my trailer. The price seemed reasonable.

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Old 01-27-2016, 11:45 PM   #5
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We ordered four new 16" Sendel T03 wheels with metal valve stems and Michelin XLT tires from Discount tire while the original GYMs were near new. That way we were able to sell them for $500 in like-new condition. Our new tires/wheels cost $1500 mounted and balanced and we installed them, so the new set cost us $1,000.

As these 16" Michelin failures on Airstreams are extremely rare, we kept the original spare for the unlikely event we will ever need it. It will do fine to get us home or to the nearest tire dealer. As printed in our Airstream Owners Manual, we could also remove the failed tire and proceed on three tires at reduced speed and limited distance until we can get it repaired or replaced.
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Old 01-28-2016, 10:38 AM   #6
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One of the things to consider is that Jackson Center is not considered by Michelin as a tire dealer. What this means is that many discounts and cash back offers from Michelin are not available to you if you buy from Jackson Center.

I bought my tires from DiscountTireDirectOnline.com . They were shipped to my home free and there was no state or local taxes charged. I also got a $100 Visa cash card for my purchase. That brought the cost down to $175 a tire back about 4 years ago. No one in the St. Louis area could match that deal. In addition they have mounting agreements with many businesses where you can get discounted mounting and balancing of your new tires. The cost to mount, balance, and dispose of my old ST tires at a local NTB dealership was $16 per axle.

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Old 01-28-2016, 10:51 AM   #7
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I bought a 2015 27 FB last November & immediately replaced the 15 in Marathons with 15 in Maxxis/E-loads. The Maxxis I bought on the Internet for $480 & had them installed with metal stems at a local Goodyear dealer for $70, total = $550. I sold the 4 Marathons for $300 via Craigslist. Net = $250 cost. I debated getting 16 in Michelins, but that would have meant new rims, & while I'm devoted to Michelins & have been for decades, I found the 15 in Maxxis/E-loads to have good reviews. If that doesn't prove true for me, I'll convert to 16 in rims & Michelins & probably their XPS Ribs, which, according to the reviews I've read, are almost bullet-proof. At ~$250/tire & $120/rim, that would be an approx. $1,500 cost + installation.
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Old 01-28-2016, 10:55 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kscherzi View Post
I live too far away from JC. I'm just doing it myself. Not much different than getting tires for a car. Total cost, five wheels and tires, should be well below 2k. Check around.

My Marathons are four years old and have thousands of miles on them. Since your trailer is practically brand new I think your risk of tire failure is pretty low right now.
kscherzi...I ordered 6 Michelin tires (4+2 spares), new wheels and metal valve stems directly from Airstream who shipped the entire package to me. All I had to do was to remove the old wheels and install the new wheels with the Michelin tires. The reason I purchased from Airstream was that the whole package was provided by the trailer manufacturer and had been used by Airstream with no problems on other trailers. I didn't have to be concerned about wheel off sets, wheel load and wheel pressure limitations. I also had some concerns about the possible liability of switching from the ST to LT tires and buying the package from Airstream confirmed that the package was approved by Airstream for use on their trailer. I have 7,000 trouble free miles on them and I feel a lot less stress when driving with the new Michelins.
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Old 01-28-2016, 11:05 AM   #9
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Tire store or internet-
Your choice-
I am geographically challenged, so ordered upgrade items from different internet sources-
Mounted, balanced, installed DIY-
Sendel T03 wheels, Centramatic balancers, Dill TPMS, Firestone TransForce HT LT225/75R16 tires
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Old 01-28-2016, 11:31 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony View Post
Tire store or internet-
Your choice-
I am geographically challenged, so ordered upgrade items from different internet sources-
Mounted, balanced, installed DIY-
Sendel T03 wheels, Centramatic balancers, Dill TPMS, Firestone TransForce HT LT225/75R16 tires
This the first post I've noticed that mentions the Firestone TransForce HT LT225/75R16 tires. Do tell 😉 Why these tires? Pros? Any cons??
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Old 01-28-2016, 11:58 AM   #11
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I purchased my Sendels on the web for $106 with no shipping. The michels I went local because once I paid shipping, it worked out almost the same. Around $1300 total for 4. Keeping my 15" spare. I now have 4 15" Sendels for sale.
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Old 01-28-2016, 12:09 PM   #12
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I upgraded mine to the Michelins and the Sendal T03 wheels which is exactly what JC uses. Ordered through Performance Plus with free shipping. Mounted, balanced, metal valve stems and delivered. Simple change of all four and all done. Actually using the ones off of the Airstream on my horse trailer as it needed new tires anyway and the wheels from the Airstream look nicer than what was on the horse trailer. Will sell those wheels.

Good luck in your decision. It's a wonderful upgrade.

Chuck
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Old 01-28-2016, 12:25 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kpayne View Post
After reading many of the comments on the Goodyear Marathons that are apparently the standard tire on new Airstreams, i am seriously considering an upgrade before I suffer one of the numerous tire failures cited in these forums. I have a 2015 28 foot FC rear queen purchased last October with the standard 15 inch Goodyear marathons. If I choose to upgrade at this point, would I be best served by taking the coach back to JC (was there this November just to visit and noted they have Michelin upgrade tires prominently displayed in their visitor center) where they can also modify the spare tire holder for 16 inches, or can this upgrade be done locally at a reputable tire dealership? Many thanks for your input!
You don't need to change wheel sizes. Michelin makes a great 15" that will fit just fine. Michelin LT M/S2 XL P235/R15 T108. Four tires mounted, balanced by Tire King cost under $ 600.00.
Most tire stores don't stock this tire, however they order it in and have it the next day.
Instead of reworking the spare tire rack I purchased a Maxxis for a spare.

I changed to these tires last year following a GM thread separation. Damage to the trailer $ 9,200.00 plus round trip to JC. The GM had a little over 10,000 miles on them. And I have a tire monitoring system. In a blowout it is useless.
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Old 01-28-2016, 12:39 PM   #14
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Jack,

I read your post on Michelin tires. I am considering going the same route as you. What do I need to know when ordering wheels and tires from tire rack. I have a 2005 28 Safari with slide on Goodyears' with 15 inch wheels. Is there any issue with fit and what did you do with spare tire?

Mike
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Old 01-28-2016, 01:32 PM   #15
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Where to get tire upgrade on new Airstream

Mike. I ordered the tires from Discounttiredirect.com . At the time Discount Tires site was better priced than Tire Rack. I ordered the Sendel wheels from Tredit. They also supplied the center caps and new wheel stems. I also ordered a 16 inch steel wheel that matched the 15 inch spare wheel. I have yet to buy a tire for. It. The prongs in the holder that hold the spare will need some bending out to accommodate a larger tire. No issue on the fit and I talked to Airstream first to be sure that the 16 inch wheel and tire would fit without issues. Let me know if you have other questions.

Jack
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Old 01-28-2016, 01:48 PM   #16
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I ordered mine from Jackson Center and they were delivered in a couple of days. Tires mounted on the wheels and balanced for about what I could get them for elsewhere.

The adjustment of the spare wheel carrier takes about 30 seconds. Put a pipe wrench on the upright and bend it out a bit. Very easy and not a critical adjustment.
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Old 01-28-2016, 01:50 PM   #17
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Actually using the ones off of the Airstream on my horse trailer as it needed new tires anyway and the wheels from the Airstream look nicer than what was on the horse trailer.
Didn't trust the GYMs on an empty trailer but do with live animals onboard?
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Old 01-28-2016, 01:51 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by franklyfrank View Post
You don't need to change wheel sizes. Michelin makes a great 15" that will fit just fine. Michelin LT M/S2 XL P235/R15 T108. Four tires mounted, balanced by Tire King cost under $ 600.00.
Most tire stores don't stock this tire, however they order it in and have it the next day.
Instead of reworking the spare tire rack I purchased a Maxxis for a spare.

I changed to these tires last year following a GM thread separation. Damage to the trailer $ 9,200.00 plus round trip to JC. The GM had a little over 10,000 miles on them. And I have a tire monitoring system. In a blowout it is useless.
Those are passenger tires not light truck tires. Check to derated bearing capacity against the weight of your trailer.
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Old 01-28-2016, 03:32 PM   #19
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If you have any consideration for you money stay with the Marathons. I have just put 15,000 mile son mine and they are hardly warn. Check the air when you gas by looking at them, check with once every 2 weeks for real and keep air pressure at 65 lbs.
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Old 01-28-2016, 04:02 PM   #20
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We have 22000 miles on the marathons, 3 years and are at 50 0/0, will be replaced soon...
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