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Old 09-11-2010, 06:23 AM   #1
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16" wheels/LT tires

I seem to recall reading sometime in the last couple of years that Jackson Center was offering a retro-fit of 16" wheels and LT tires on late model Airstreams and the cost was $250 per wheel/tire.

Has anyone done this, and how has it worked out?

Lucy has had so many ST tire problems that I am ready to try something different.

Brian
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Old 09-11-2010, 07:42 AM   #2
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I would try load range E tires before I would do a retro-fit.
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Old 09-11-2010, 09:27 AM   #3
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We couldn't handle any more problems and buying Marathon tires to replace blowouts and belt separations...(5 tires in two years) so I went with a Sendel wheel model T-03 -- Bolt circle 6 on 5.5 and "0" offset...I used Michelin 225-75-16 XPS Ribs....Probably overkill but they look great and if I never have to change another tire along a Interstate with trucks blowing by at 70 it will be worth the expense....I only have about 4000 miles on them right now and they still look new...My 08 Classic has about 3/4" clearance front and back on the wheel wells and yours should be about the same.... Actually they raise the trailer about 1/2" which in my case makes it tow almost perfectly level with the new tow vehicle... I'm not going to say my way is the best way, but we think it is a much better situation, as like you, I tow in Hot weather in FLA a couple of time a year...ST tires don't seem to like hot roads....
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Old 09-11-2010, 06:45 PM   #4
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I would try load range E tires before I would do a retro-fit.
I've been running Maxxis E's for the last 48,000 miles. I'm just fed up with ST tires.

Brian
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Old 09-11-2010, 06:50 PM   #5
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We couldn't handle any more problems and buying Marathon tires to replace blowouts and belt separations...(5 tires in two years) so I went with a Sendel wheel model T-03 -- Bolt circle 6 on 5.5 and "0" offset...I used Michelin 225-75-16 XPS Ribs....Probably overkill but they look great and if I never have to change another tire along a Interstate with trucks blowing by at 70 it will be worth the expense....I only have about 4000 miles on them right now and they still look new...My 08 Classic has about 3/4" clearance front and back on the wheel wells and yours should be about the same.... Actually they raise the trailer about 1/2" which in my case makes it tow almost perfectly level with the new tow vehicle... I'm not going to say my way is the best way, but we think it is a much better situation, as like you, I tow in Hot weather in FLA a couple of time a year...ST tires don't seem to like hot roads....
Thanks for the info. I'm looking for options. In the last four years, we have had 3 blowouts, 1 other flat, and 5 tread separations. I'm just sick of dealing with tire problems eevry time I turn around.

Brian
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Old 09-12-2010, 06:55 AM   #6
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One more piece of information is that I run 72lbs in the RIBS when I leave home... They definately run cooler than the Marathons and the pressure does not change very much during the day regardless of the outside temps.. and nothing in the trailer moves around any more than with the GYMs .... Mine are filled with nitrogen and this may make a difference, but I sure do like them so far..
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Old 09-12-2010, 07:57 AM   #7
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One more piece of information is that I run 72lbs in the RIBS when I leave home... They definately run cooler than the Marathons and the pressure does not change very much during the day regardless of the outside temps.. and nothing in the trailer moves around any more than with the GYMs .... Mine are filled with nitrogen and this may make a difference, but I sure do like them so far..
I have also been running 72 psi in the 10 ply Maxxis and they run cool and do a good job. it's just that they don't seem to last under our heavy use (20,000 miles/year). Our first set of Maxxis suffered tread separation on three tires at 27,000 miles. This most recent incident of tread separation has occurred on a tire with 14,000 miles on it.

My 2500 Suburbans weigh nearly as much as Lucy and 50,000 miles on a set of Michelin LT's.

Brian
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Old 09-12-2010, 07:58 AM   #8
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Bian , as another option to a tire and wheel swop look into some 235/75/15XL tires . The XL designation refers to extra load. I have been running BFG commercial TA's in that size for years with not a single problem . Unfortunately BFG no longer makes that tire in a 15" but Michelin does and some others . It is basically a C rated LT tire. My experience with them has been nothing but positive , and I agree , ST tires are junk , there I've said it and feel better. Good luck with your search.
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Old 09-12-2010, 08:09 AM   #9
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Bian , as another option to a tire and wheel swop look into some 235/75/15XL tires . The XL designation refers to extra load. I have been running BFG commercial TA's in that size for years with not a single problem . Unfortunately BFG no longer makes that tire in a 15" but Michelin does and some others . It is basically a C rated LT tire. My experience with them has been nothing but positive , and I agree , ST tires are junk , there I've said it and feel better. Good luck with your search.

Thanx for this info. I'll take a look at these.

Brian
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Old 09-12-2010, 08:38 AM   #10
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16" Wheels and LT tires.

Jackson Center is doing the conversion but the price is closer to $340.00 than $250.00 per wheel. They offer 2 tire options, a B.F. Goodrich or a Michelin. I have just changed to 16" wheels and 225/75R 16 Michelin XPS Ribs. Also added Centramatic wheel balancers and a tire pressure/temperature monitoring system. Our next trip is in October so I'll post an update after that trip. Our unit is a 2008 Classic 30' and there were no clearance issues. Jerry.
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Old 09-12-2010, 10:35 AM   #11
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Brian, From what I have researched, there is no tire out there anymore the correct size that has the load capacity needed. There are 2 other companies that have the right load capacity, but are both in a size 225/70/15. These 2 tires have a load capacity of around 2470, or load range 110-112. The only draw-back I find is you will be 1/2" lower with these tires. I'm running the Vanco 2's, but only have about 4,000 miles on them so far. The other tire is a Goodyear Cargo G26. If the 1/2" is not for you, going to 16" wheels is your only choice. JMHO
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Old 09-12-2010, 12:01 PM   #12
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16"

I used a set of 16" alloys and BFG Commercial T/A tires to finish a restoration on a 1968 Ambassador. The trailer has been used for more than a full season, and has traveled many miles, without incident. I can most definitely recommend this combination:
Tires:
BFG Commercial TA 225/75/R16 LR E
Commercial T/A All-Season | BFGoodrich Tires
Wheel:
Aluminum Trailer Wheel Style: SERIES #03 Size: 16 x 7 Bolt Pattern: 6 x 5.5 Bore Size: 4.25 Load Rating: 3200 lbs @ 80 PSI Offset: -8mm Hispec

I am sure that a suitable Michelin product would also work very well.
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Old 09-12-2010, 06:30 PM   #13
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I used a set of 16" alloys and BFG Commercial T/A tires to finish a restoration on a 1968 Ambassador. The trailer has been used for more than a full season, and has traveled many miles, without incident. I can most definitely recommend this combination:
Tires:
BFG Commercial TA 225/75/R16 LR E
Commercial T/A All-Season | BFGoodrich Tires
Wheel:
Aluminum Trailer Wheel Style: SERIES #03 Size: 16 x 7 Bolt Pattern: 6 x 5.5 Bore Size: 4.25 Load Rating: 3200 lbs @ 80 PSI Offset: -8mm Hispec

I am sure that a suitable Michelin product would also work very well.
Thanx a bunch. I'm getting getting a whole lot of good information.

Brian
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Old 09-22-2010, 04:22 PM   #14
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For those of you that have done the switch to 16 inch rims and tires, have you had any problem stowing the spare 16 inch in the rack under the trailer?
I too have considered and almost bought into the 16 inch rim and tire. I think it's a good idea, but I wouldn't want to create another problem by having to stow the spare in the bed of the truck.
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Old 09-22-2010, 05:09 PM   #15
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For those of you that have done the switch to 16 inch rims and tires, have you had any problem stowing the spare 16 inch in the rack under the trailer?
I too have considered and almost bought into the 16 inch rim and tire. I think it's a good idea, but I wouldn't want to create another problem by having to stow the spare in the bed of the truck.
I can verify with confidence that the 16" wheel/tire combo fits comfortably on the factory spare tire carrier for a 1968 Airstream.
Your new model should also be compatible. The 68 had plenty of space.
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Old 09-22-2010, 07:20 PM   #16
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Thanx a bunch. I'm getting getting a whole lot of good information.

Brian
Brian,
I think you need Z rated tires
I have been using the marathons for 80,000 miles. I cought one with a bubble in the sidewall before a trip. I wore the rest out.
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Old 09-22-2010, 07:48 PM   #17
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Brian,
I think you need Z rated tires
I have been using the marathons for 80,000 miles. I cought one with a bubble in the sidewall before a trip. I wore the rest out.
Michelle,

I went to the Goodyear website and could not find any info on a z rated Marathon. Do you have any further info or leads?

Brian
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Old 09-22-2010, 08:21 PM   #18
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Michelle,

I went to the Goodyear website and could not find any info on a z rated Marathon. Do you have any further info or leads?

Brian
It was a joke.... Z rated tire have the highest abaility to shed heat. Heat is the usual suspect in tire seperation. There are others like workmanship and punctures from road hazards.
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Old 09-22-2010, 09:49 PM   #19
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I can verify with confidence that the 16" wheel/tire combo fits comfortably on the factory spare tire carrier for a 1968 Airstream.
Your new model should also be compatible. The 68 had plenty of space.

Thanks, that puts that question to bed.
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Old 09-22-2010, 10:31 PM   #20
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Bluto, the question just got out of bed. A 1968 tire carrier must be larger than a 2008. The 15" fits snuggly, the 16" won't unless you bend back each of the side pieces that hold the tire in. So it can be done, but…

It is difficult to get the tire out and I'm sure it's no enjoyable task getting it back in. I threw it into the pickup bed. Easier to check air pressure too, and takes a little weight off the tongue. You may not want to put the tire in the Suburban. So, the tire carrier can be adapted.

I have read on the Forum that some trailers don't have the necessary clearance to go to 16". Measure carefully and often. If the wheel cutout isn't big enough, it appears it can be solved. We feel safer using the 16" Michelins and that means a lot. And we very rarely have to add air to the Michelins; we had to do so with the Marathons every several days. Lucy will like the ride.

Any good tire shop can make the changeover. I'd check with Airstream to get the exact wheel specs for your trailer. Sometimes you can find that info on their website if you look long enough. The offset is important and you have to make sure the wheel dealer knows what their doing. At least one Forum member was sold the wrong offset. It's 0˚ for ours, but yours may be different.

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