16" wheels

[Cyberous]

Wow, my eyes are blurry! 12 pages of reading this tread but I'm sold. I just ordered a set of 16" SenDel T02's on Ebay $460 and a set of 225-75R/16 LTX M/S2's from Tire Rack $912.

We just picked up a new to us 2006 25FB with 3 different types of tires on it! The two GYM's that are still on it have a lot of sidewall dry rot and are probably from 2006. All of the 15" rims have corrosion, two are severely damaged and curbed so it just seems like the best fix it to replace everything at once and be done with it!

Now I need to find a new bed!

[rodsterinfl]

I ordered a new mattress from these guys:

RV Mattress | Custom Size Mattresses for RV & Campers

Airstream sent me the specs sheet, I forwarded it to them (it's a radius bed) and they made it and sent it to me.

[switz]

When picking up the new 25FB, I attempted to sleep on the factory mattress at the dealership lot and knew that it had to go.

Using Airstream supplied drawings, Rocky Mountain Mattress made a queen mattress for the 25FB and are making twin mattresses for the Classic 30. We selected the 8" thick model so it was level with the side table in the 25FB and filled the Airstream custom 600 thread sheets and mattress pad properly.

The Sunrise? 8" Memory Foam Mattress with Bayer Technology

They have promotions with discounts on price and free shipping.

We slept very well on their mattress.

[m.hony]

What is the reason for switching to 16" wheels? Can't we buy 15" LT tires?

[switz]

I will only purchase Michelin tires as I have not had a tire failure in over 48 years of use on trucks and cars and trailers.

Michelin does not currently make a true 15" LT tire. The Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tire is an extra load tire but is called a passenger car tire (thus the "P" in the designation).

Per 49 CFR 571.110

Tire selection and rims and motor home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less.

S4.2.2.1
Except as provided in S4.2.2.2, the sum of the maximum load ratings of the tires fitted to an axle shall not be less than the GAWR of the axle system as specified on the vehicle's certification label required by 49 CFR part 567. If the certification label shows more than one GAWR for the axle system, the sum shall be not less than the GAWR corresponding to the size designation of the tires fitted to the axle.

S4.2.2.2
When passenger car tires are installed on an MPV, truck, bus, or trailer, each tire's load rating is reduced by dividing it by 1.10 before determining, under S4.2.2.1, the sum of the maximum load ratings of the tires fitted to an axle.

S4.2.2.3
(a) For vehicles, except trailers with no designated seating positions, equipped with passenger car tires, the vehicle normal load on the tire shall be no greater than 94 percent of the derated load rating at the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure for that tire.

(b) For vehicles, except trailers with no designated seating positions, equipped with LT tires, the vehicle normal load on the tire shall be no greater than 94 percent of the load rating at the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure for that tire.

the side wall weight rating of 2,183 pounds (that number is on the tires I purchased and installed in January 2013) must be derated 10% to 1,985 pounds. Four tires could support 7,940 pounds.

Since my Classic model 30 31' trailer has an literature empty weight of 7,365 pounds and a literature tongue weight of 773 pounds, that means the axles are supporting 6,592 pounds new and empty. Camping ready, our 25FB had about 1,295 pounds of gear. All of that plus an additional 400 pounds of batteries, 25 gallons more water, a second A/C and 50 amp service and probably six solar panels with controller means that we are adding about 2,000 pounds to the trailer weight.

That means that the trailer weight could be around 9,365 pounds loaded and subtracting a 1,200 pound tongue weight (number from the 25FB) would mean the axles are supporting 8,165 pounds and that exceeds the load rating of the 15" Michelins. Even if the axle weight was 500 pounds lighter, I do not want no reserve capacity on the tires.

Thus my decision to purchase 16" wheels and tires which have a no derated load capacity of 10,720 pounds.

[rodsterinfl]

Phoenix, I paid I believe $310 for the twin; however, I upgraded the foam. I sent them the specs that Airstream sent me.

[switz]

I am sitting in the Airstream lounge at Jackson Center to see our trailer that started 20 December. I drove on snow and ice getting here with 6" expected before the day is over. I plan to be here daily to see and film the progress until it is completed.

Coming in the door of the Airstream Service center, the disk brake conversion is still on display along with a mounted 16" Michelin LT 225/75R16 LTX M/S2 on a SenDel T03-66655T wheel. Seems they are still recommending that specific wheel and tire.

I still believe that using the tire and wheel the factory recommends will be advantageous if there is ever a suspension warranty issue.

[Ridgerunner3]

Originally Posted by switz

I am sitting in the Airstream lounge at Jackson Center to see our trailer that started 20 December. I drove on snow and ice getting here with 6" expected before the day is over. I plan to be here daily to see and film the progress until it is completed.

Coming in the door of the Airstream Service center, the disk brake conversion is still on display along with a mounted 16" Michelin LT 225/75R16 LTX M/S2 on a SenDel T03-66655T wheel. Seems they are still recommending that specific wheel and tire.

I still believe that using the tire and wheel the factory recommends will be advantageous if there is ever a suspension warranty issue.

That was a long drive. Where are you taking delivery of your new rig? Did you bring the new wheels and tires with you?

[switz]

Actually this was a local drive from a town about 20 miles away. I flew over two days before to Indianapolis and then drove the next day to Ohio. The unit goes to Arizona for delivery and the tires and wheels are in my storage unit there.

[TouringDan]

Switz

I understand that you are upgrading to disc brakes. What actuator, caliper and rotors are Airstream using?

Dan

[switz]

For some reason, they require me to return with the TV to retrofit the disk brakes.

The Control actuator has the Dexter brand on it and is part of the Dexter disk brake conversion kit I have seen on the Dexter website. The factory would like to install the controller in an outside access storage cabinet in the trailer. The brake fluid filler opening is on the top of the cylinder, which might make filling it a challenge in a tight space.

I am contemplating repurposing the original battery box for that job as a different box is contemplated for the four or more life-line 300-amp hour batteries that will be part of the solar system.

[Ntex]

We have a 2004, 28ft Classic, that needs new tires, and we are going to go to the 16" wheels and the Michelin LTX M/S2 tires. I have studied the forums, and am feeling more confident about how to go about this (I have learned more about tires than I ever wanted to know!) - but before I order the wheels, I want to be sure I am getting something that works.
I see that many have installed the TO3 that is in the lobby at JC. But others have chosen the T02, and one forum member put on the T05s, which come with a center cap. I can't find anything that says one of these is better than the other in terms of its functionality. Is there any reason to choose one over the other, besides looks? Here is what I have figured out:
The prices aren't very different.
All three are labeled #66655, and meet the following specs:
16x6
Bolt circle 6 x 139.7 (same as 6 x 5.5)
Zero offset
Center bore 4.25
The only difference I can identify, other than looks, is that the T02 and T05 have a load rating of 3200, whereas the T03 is listed at 3580. It would seem that the lower rating is ample for our trailer however (GVWR 8600) and the Michelin tires we are going to buy. Is that right?

As long as I am asking, here is what else I am planning on ordering, based on hours of reading on the forum (I am grateful to so many for sharing) - please tell me if I have gotten something wrong.
We found a locally owned tire shop that will order the Michelins and install them on the trailer, balanced, with metal stems, for less than the Costco price for just the tires and mounting on the rims! Best of all, the shop is right down the road from where we store the trailer and they weren't flumoxed at all by the request to put them on the trailer.
We will get new stainless lug nuts and install Centramatics.
I think I am going to order the TST tire pressure monitoring system, with the external sensors. I am assuming we can install that ourselves.
At this point, we are going to keep our existing 15 inch spare. I know there is a lot of debate with regard to the wisdom of that....but for now that is our decision.

Is there anything else I need to think about?
Thanks again for your help.

[switz]

The factory recommended lug nut torque value is 125 to 130 foot pounds for the SenDel T03-66655T wheels.

Be there when the conversion is done to ensure they do not put floor jacks under the axles which can bend them. I carry/use a 3 ton combination bottle jack and jack stand and lifted our 2013 25FB International Serenity on the frame member between the two tires when I swapped out the GYM for 15" Michelins one pair (side) at a time..

http://www.toolsmithonline.com/produ...ack-Stand.html

[Wingeezer]

I just did what you are contemplating a couple of months ago. I had a local tire shop order 16" wheels and michelin tires for our 2005 Classic 30.

They couldn't provided Sendel wheels, but I don't suppose there is anything magic about Sendel. The wheels I got have identical dimensions and are rated 3200# and they are a design I quite like.

I had the wheels/tires balanced, and had metal stems fitted.

I already had the Centramatics and an external TPMS when using my 15" wheels and am using them now with the 16" wheels.

I was a little concerned about how they might jack the trailer and so I was present at the time and I raised one wheel at a time for them using Lynx leveling blocks under the adjacent wheel - that is how I generally remove a wheel.

I'm sure everything will go fine for you!

Brian.

PS - I did originally ask them to order stainless lug nuts for me, but I checked with a magnet when I got home (I ordered a couple of spares.) I'm pretty sure they are just chromed steel!

They are still a lot better than the ones I had that had loose metal covers on them. I will see how they stand up and if they rust I'll buy stainless. At least they only charged me $2 each for them, I imagine stainless are quite a bit more!

[Ntex]

Thanks for the encouragement. As a woman who in the beginning knew nothing about all of this, with a husband who was too busy to do the rather frustrating searching through all the relevant threads, I really appreciate all the input. I will try to be sure the tire shop raises the trailer up correctly. Others mentioned being sure to use the "jack points" and I am guessing the manual might indicate where those are, but with the method explained above, no jacking is required? We have only owned the trailer since last spring, and haven't yet traveled much, so have not had to change a tire. I see some others have a Camco ramp that looks handy.
I am ordering the wheels and taking them to the tire shop...so I am going with the Sendels because it sounds like most people have been happy with their quality. Switz, I understand your torque number comes from JC, but I read one thread that indicated the correct torque was 100, and another that referenced 110. So that is confusing, as is the question of optimal tire pressure. I am persuaded that overinflation isn't good for the trailer, under-inflation isn't safe, that the 80 psi listed for the tire is probably too high, and that the exact sweet spot probably requires weighing the loaded trailer. What a mess...I have no firm conclusions on that yet. Can I just say that I didn't know owning and enjoying an Airstream would require so much technical know how. Sometimes I wonder if a lot of people do OK without it. Ignorance is bliss and all of that.

[switz]

To make things almost idiot proof in terms of changing a tire or having someone else change a tire, this tire ramp concept can allow one tire to lift the side of the trailer for a quick change of the flat tire. It won't work too well if both tires are flat.

Amazon.com: Trailer Aid Tandem Tire Changing Ramp: Automotive

They are also available in black.

One must back very slowly onto the ramp as not much distance is covered from touching the ramp to going to far on the ramp and falling off the far side.

[Phoenix]

Just noticed that Costco now stocks Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires in 225/75x16, LR-E. Construction is similar to Michelin XPS Ribs in that they have an all-steel casing (sidewalls) with summer, highway tread pattern; and they are made in the USA. At around $208 each, plus $15 installation and disposal fee, they are about $60 less per tire than XPS Ribs.

See details, at this link:

Costco.com - Shop for Tires

Just curious, does anyone have these? If reviews are as good as the XPS Ribs, I might try a pair of R250's when our Ribs age out in a couple of years.

Note: Summer tread design and rubber composition may not be suitable for those who tow regularly in snow country. However, this tread design is great in the desert southwest, due to extreme summer heat.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Just noticed that Costco now stocks Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires in 225/75x16, LR-E. Construction is similar to Michelin XPS Ribs in that they have an all-steel casing (sidewalls) with summer, highway tread pattern; and they are made in the USA. At around $208 each, plus $15 installation and disposal fee, they are about $60 less per tire than XPS Ribs.

See details, at this link:

Costco.com - Shop for Tires

Just curious, does anyone have these? If reviews are as good as the XPS Ribs, I might try a pair of R250's when our Ribs age out in a couple of years.

Note: Summer tread design and rubber composition may not be suitable for those who tow regularly in snow country. However, this tread design is great in the desert southwest, due to extreme summer heat.

It is my choice for when I get around to upgrading tires/wheels on mine. The tread design is ideal from the standpoint of trailer service ("closed shoulder") as in-place pivots are what are terribly hard -- and unavoidable - for trailer service tires.

Granted, an open shoulder design may offer better braking in wet conditions. There are always trade-offs. But trailer anti-lock is now offered by the aftermarket (TUSON) with disc brakes which puts this "problem" where it is best corrected.

BRIDGESTONE and MICHELIN are the best tires available (in the correct model lines) in my opinion, for trailers and trucks for on-road service. That we may not run the miles posible in the time available is the real expense (high cpm), but for some of us the TT is home, not just recreational. For all of us the TT is expensive by relative measures so this seems not such a penalty considering the importance of reliable performance. Factored into the total time and distances made during ownership the additional cpm is then minor.

.

[grjanny]

Excellent knowledge of the subject and excellent questions.

[Steve & Mary]

I installed my 16 inch Sendel wheel and BF Goodrich tires and am very happy with the quality and appearance. Clearance is good and now I have satisfaction of not being boarderline on tire capacity. I was happy with my Michelin LTX tires but now feel more comfortable with the 16's. Now I need to sell my original 15 inch factory wheels which have a set of Michelin LTX M/S 235's with little mileage.