Buying 16" wheels and LT tires.. right choice?
 

I have a 2005 Safari 28 '. I have spent a lot of time reading various threads and this is what I am coming up with.

Sendel Wheels T03 16 x6. #66655T

Michelin Tires. LTX M/S2. LT 225/75R16/115 E1 BSW

Metal valve stems


Tow Vehicle

2007 Silverado 2500 HD

Michelin LTX M/S2. LT245/75R16. 120R E1 BSW


How does this sound?
Am I missing anything?
Will this all fit my AS

Should I buy a 5th wheel and tire for a spare or can I use one of my 15" wheels and tire for a short distance?


Having trouble finding a place to buy center caps for the Sendel wheels.

Any recommendations on a source with the best price and service?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Bert

I can't speak to your TV, but the trailer setup sounds right and exactly what I did to my 2001 Safari 25, except I went ahead and added a TPMS. Some have reported having to trim the sheet metal around the bottom of the wheel wells, but I didn't have to do that. It's not a big deal, loosen the setscrews holding the molding, bend it out of the way, trim the sheet metal and reattach the molding.

I went ahead and bought the 5th wheel and tire. I figured I'd rather not use a tire I didn't trust for full-time service as my emergency backup.

The center caps from my original wheels fit the Sendels. Yours probably will too.

I bought everything from Discount Tire for only slightly more than I could have got it online.


Al

I think everyone needs to weigh their trailer - fully loaded including water tanks and by individual wheel positions. Until such time that we have confidence in what the trailer manufacturers publish for GVW and GAWR's and they catch up on the current thinking on tire loading, we just can't make any assumptions.

So, Al, weigh your trailer, THEN ask the question.

Fortunately, the center caps from the OEM 15" rims fit my Sendel 16" replacements, perfectly.

Metal stems definitely a good idea. I used very short type, since I'd be using a valve stem mounted TPMS system.

The new 16"/LT wheel fit no problem in the under-carriage.

No clearance problems in the wheel wells, either.

Weighing the rig is always good policy; but, my individual axles were always within the ST's load ratings on every blowout.

Good job and enjoy!

There are other wheel options besides Sendel's you could try. :)

What question?

Al

I did this same conversion on two 25FB's, a 2005 and a 2015.

The OEM center caps fit the new wheels. I added Centramatic Balancers both times. I towed the 2005 Safari over 60,000 miles with the Michelins. They showed virtually no tread wear. Both times I did went the five tire route.

My more recent conversion on the 2015 Flying Cloud was in December, 2014. I got the tires and wheels premounted and balanced. I got them on-line from Performance Plus Tire in Long Beach, California. The cost was $330 per tire/wheel delivered. I put them on myself along with the Centramatics.

Brian

Bert, looks fine. I got T02s, but that's a personal preference thing. As others have said, the standard AS center hub covers transfer over. I kept my 15" spare. I figure if AS says it's OK to run a short distance on 3 tires, then it's fine with one out of four with 1/2" less rolling radius. I wouldn't run any further than the next exit for the 16" replacement and re-installation.

Hi Bert-

Sounds just fine!

After two tread separations with ST Tires (Marathon D's and TowMark E's) we've had enough and replaced with Sendel S20-66655T's at Sendel's recommendation to match our existing 15" wheels on our 2009 28' International. After much reflection, we purchased the Michelin XPS ribs instead of the M&S. These are more expensive, and I wouldn't select them for our TV because they are specifically designed for (relatively) high speed and heat (at the expense of wet weather traction) rather than the more "four season" friendly M&S. But you should be fine with either.

We bought the fifth wheel and tire. Never know where you're going to be, and although we've towed a distance with three wheels, seems better to have the option. The Airstream guys thought there might be an issue with the storage device for the spare, but turned out not to be a problem. We didn't need to modify anything in the wheel wells, either.

We bought from Discount Tire (called American Tire in California), because we checked along our major travel routes and they are plentiful. This makes it easy to have them inspected by a pro instead of just by us on a regular basis, and to get a replacement if necessary without any potential hassle. We bought the wheels and tires from them and had them mount and balance them. We also invested in the pricey ($37/tire) road hazard warranty, and they discounted this to charging for 4 tires but issued coverage for 5. They provided plastic center caps that look nice. The price was extremely competitive, with the tires priced at 267 each (we had other quotes for up to 360 each), plus balancing and tire disposal fees and our ridiculously high state tax. We picked them up at a store about 10 minutes away from our Airstream Service guys where we were having some annual spring cleaning work done, and asked them to install them, along with the Centramatics that we also purchased (When you're spending $2000, an extra $200 to cover all bases seemed wise.) The wheels were priced at $104 each. Total bill for all five wheel and tire sets, balancing, mounting, disposal came to just over $2000 before sales tax. I imagine the M&S tires would have been a bit less--they seemed to be almost $100 less each at the first place we priced them. Please note that this included balancing and installation.

Unfortunately, our March trip to Texas from LA had to be cancelled, so our first trip will be in late May. We're expecting no tire issues!

Are 16's the RIGHT choice?
 

Are they the RIGHT choice? Really only YOU can determine that for yourself. Do the tires fit your mission, goals and weight of your trailer. There are a lot of detailed facts on the tires on this forum, what makes it difficult to wade thru are the opinions.

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I posted my thread detailing my purchase and costs associated with it here:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f465...ml#post1578267

If you don't include my Centramics I spent $1248.64 on tires and wheels. Kick back the $250 I made off the 15's and that's $998.64 to upgrade.

And if you do include the Centric balancers $1212.59

And now, and excuse to post more photos of my Airstream:
https://igcdn-photos-g-a.akamaihd.ne...22111993_n.jpg

Buying 16" wheels
 

So, what advantage do I get replacing my 15" wheels with 16" wheels?

The change to light truck tires over ST trailer tires forces one to 16" wheels as there are no 15" LT tires available.

Sorry, but this is an untrue statement.

There are MANY 15" LT tires.

But 15" LT tires might
Or might not
Be available in the needed Load Index Rating