16" Wheel Considerations for Vintage Rigs

[Kevin245]

We picked up a new set of Maxxis 8008's today and I was discussing the 16" wheel conundrum with my tire guy. He acknowledged the migratory trend in RV tires from 15" to 16". This is also common to the tire industry in general, as automobile standards of 13", 14", and 15" tires have all but disappeared from the mainstream new car market.

This leads me to ask those with vintage rigs who have made, or are considering a switch to 16" wheels. Are you, or do you intend to go with mag type wheels, or are there hubcap options?

[OilnH2o]

On our '76 Overlander, we considered the switch to 16" wheels but instead decided that there was no need - the 15" are the "mag" style factory Airstream wheels, look great, and the 15" Michelin LXs no matter how you look at that 2368 (IIRC) weight on each of four tires (whether it should be down-rated by this or that percentage, or both...) was plenty of margin for our weights at just around 5000 lbs. So, we went with the Michelins, stayed with the original size wheels, figuring there were fewer worries in the wheel well sizing. We're been very happy with the results.

Hope that's helpful.

Dave

[AldeanFan]

My '77 safari has '77 Cadillac hubcaps. I'm sure there are appropriate looking hubcaps available in 16".