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Zigidachs · 03-24-2011, 12:45 AM

We just returned form a 2K+ maiden voyage for our 30' Classic to "sunny" California ( NOT) and didn't have a single problem with our new Michelins. We ran at 78psi.

We usually place a small wicker basket for keys on the on the "lawn chair" cubby closet at the entry door, but this time we forgot to replace it to its travel home. It had a few misc items in it. At one lunch stop we entered the AS and we found that the small basket was exactly where we placed it prior to travel! Remember we drove on California roads...not the smoothest in the land. So the AS traveled without excessive bouncing............

Confidence in tires which will flawlessly perform and are weight rated higher than required--as a safety buffer----PRICELESS!

kry226 · 03-26-2011, 06:31 AM

We're picking up our 16" upgrades from the Mother Ship at Alumapalooza and I am very pumped. I am a tire Nazi and these Marathons (based on personal experience) are not going to cut it. We'll have the 15" factory tires and wheels with less than 3,000 miles on them for sale at the rally...CHEAP!

**moosetags** · 03-26-2011, 08:02 AM

Keith, here are a few photos of Lucy's 16" wheels. As you will note the front clearance on the fender well is close, but "close" only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. The 16" wheels look great, are easier to clean, and much easier to air up.

I could have saved myself a lot of grief if I had done the wheel/tire upgrade a lot sooner.

Brian

SilverHoot · 03-26-2011, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

Keith, here are a few photos of Lucy's 16" wheels. As you will note the front clearance on the fender well is close, but "close" only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. The 16" wheels look great, are easier to clean, and much easier to air up.

I could have saved myself a lot of grief if I had done the wheel/tire upgrade a lot sooner.

Brian

I wonder if they will fit on mine? Exactly what I want.

kry226 · 03-26-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

Keith, here are a few photos of Lucy's 16" wheels. As you will note the front clearance on the fender well is close, but "close" only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. The 16" wheels look great, are easier to clean, and much easier to air up.

I could have saved myself a lot of grief if I had done the wheel/tire upgrade a lot sooner.

Brian

Thanks, Brian. They look great. Are those new hub caps that came with the 16" package or originals?

Kyle

**moosetags** · 03-26-2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverHoot

I wonder if they will fit on mine? Exactly what I want.

I don't really have any idea whether they would fit or not. I can tell you that going from the 225/75x15's to the 225/75x16's added about 1/2" to the radius of each tire/wheel set.

Brian

**moosetags** · 03-26-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kry226

Thanks, Brian. They look great. Are those new hub caps that came with the 16" package or originals?

Kyle

Those are Lucy's original hub caps. They were still in pretty nice shape.

Brian

krlajwvater · 03-26-2011, 03:16 PM

Has anyone ever used firestone LT225/75R16 transforce HT tires? I am think of using these on my new wheels. I like this tread design better than michelin XTL-MS. Does any one know any good or bad about these firestone tires. thanks

Wayne&Sam · 03-26-2011, 03:49 PM

Fedex just delivered my wheels and tires. I ordered them Wednesday so that's just three days. Now I have to wait for the snow to melt so I can take out the Safari and mount them.

By the way, I ordered some other parts from Colonial and they delivered them in two days. I love that prompt service from Colonial and Jackson Center.

SilverHoot · 03-26-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

I don't really have any idea whether they would fit or not. I can tell you that going from the 225/75x15's to the 225/75x16's added about 1/2" to the radius of each tire/wheel set.

Brian

Thanks Brian, I can't tell from the pics how far from the wheel well your tire is.

BabyBoomers · 03-26-2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

Keith, here are a few photos of Lucy's 16" wheels. As you will note the front clearance on the fender well is close, but "close" only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. The 16" wheels look great, are easier to clean, and much easier to air up.

I could have saved myself a lot of grief if I had done the wheel/tire upgrade a lot sooner.

Brian

I think when I was a kid we also said in nuclear warfare. BabyBoomers

**moosetags** · 03-26-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverHoot

Thanks Brian, I can't tell from the pics how far from the wheel well your tire is.

It's about 3/4" in the front. I'll try to take a better photo in the morning.

Brian

Gene · 03-27-2011, 10:06 AM

'hoot, every trailer is different. I checked the diameter of the tires I wanted to buy, measured the diameter of the 15" wheel and tire, measured a few more times, and generally got very anal about it because buying wheels and tires and not having them fit would be a major act of dumbness. The diameter of the tire you want (the company website should have that information) compared to the diameter of the tire you have on the trailer should tell you whether it will fit.

The place people have problems is the part of the body below the trim—it's painted steel (I think, or it looks like it) rather than aluminum. There's a thin strip of trim on it and some people have pulled that back, trimmed off some of the metal, replaced the trim, and then 16" wheels fit.

I'm attaching a photo of our wheels right after they were installed although I don't think you can see that much because of poor contrast.

Gene

**moosetags** · 03-27-2011, 10:15 AM

Here is a better photo of the clearance on Lucy.

Brian

**moosetags** · 03-27-2011, 10:21 AM

Let me try this again. I posted the wrong photo.

Brian

SilverHoot · 03-27-2011, 10:43 AM

Brian thanks for the pics. Going to measure existing diameters and compare to new.

HowieE · 03-27-2011, 11:47 AM

The thing to keep in mind when installing 16 in tires is not the clearance for and aft but the clearance above the tire to the wheel pan. This is not a problem with GOOD axles but if your working with older worn out axles you may see scrapping of the pan when going over bumps in campgrounds.

If the axles are really bad this may occur on the road and result in overheated tires.

ticki2 · 03-27-2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowieE

The thing to keep in mind when installing 16 in tires is not the clearance for and aft but the clearance above the tire to the wheel pan. This is not a problem with GOOD axles but if your working with older worn out axles you may see scrapping of the pan when going over bumps in campgrounds.

If the axles are really bad this may occur on the road and result in overheated tires.

I don't believe bad axles will compress any more than what they could originallly , it's just they they no longer have the full swing angle to the down position making them stiffer. This should not affect the wheelwell pan . Changing to a larger diameter tire from original may .

HowieE · 03-27-2011, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ticki2

I don't believe bad axles will compress any more than what they could originallly , it's just they they no longer have the full swing angle to the down position making them stiffer. This should not affect the wheelwell pan . Changing to a larger diameter tire from original may .

Older axles drop and the clearance to the wheel pan is reduced. The trailing arm on a Good Axle has a down angle of of about 20 degrees ans an old axle that angle may be an up angle of 20 degrees. That difference is the reduction in clearance you have to check.

ticki2 · 03-27-2011, 07:22 PM

HowieE
There are upper and lower angle stops on the axle that prevent it from going beyond it's specification angles . If the axle is old and the rubber has taken a set it will not have the full range between the two stops , which means it no longer has the ability to obsorb road shocks . It will not let the wheel go any higher ( closer to trailer) than a new axle when it hits a bump.