Tires revisited

[bobmiller1]

Yes, I’m still running the the Goodyear 8R19.5’s on the 325LE, put the Centramatics on it last year. When the Goodyear’s get replaced in 2 years we’ll switch to the Michelin’s. Regards, Bob

[davejay]

I highly recommend centermatics.
Off the car balancing only balances the wheel tire assembly. There is a fair amount of mass in the rotors hub and rear assembly too. Take a look at a dump truck going down the road. Have you ever seen the tag axles bouncing. That could be a balanced tire but a hub drum assembly that has weight in it. Its money well spent.
We got 245s on our 325. We got about 1.25 inches of clearance between the duals. As for putting 245 s on a 6 inch wheel. The amount of drawing the tire will do is pretty small. Just my opinion .

[davejay]

I put the 245s on because I really don't like how spindly the front end looks with 225s. I like a wider footprint. Especially on the front end.

[Magnet18]

While we were busy not paying attention, a new and compelling contender has entered the arena

https://www.tirereview.com/cooper-ro...livery-trucks/

225/70r19.5, or 245s
right load rating
M/S triple peak option
87mph speed rating
$250/tire... About half as much as the Michelin, from a good brand. Cooper, not triangle or doublecoin.

I have access to a 30% rebate on the michelins, but even after that these are $100/tire cheaper... That's serious enough dough to make me reevaluate the michelins that have been gathering dust in my shopping cart

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Magnet18

While we were busy not paying attention, a new and compelling contender has entered the arena

https://www.tirereview.com/cooper-ro...livery-trucks/

225/70r19.5, or 245s
right load rating
M/S triple peak option
87mph speed rating
$250/tire... About half as much as the Michelin, from a good brand. Cooper, not triangle or doublecoin.

I have access to a 30% rebate on the michelins, but even after that these are $100/tire cheaper... That's serious enough dough to make me reevaluate the michelins that have been gathering dust in my shopping cart

Nice, glad to see more options for 8R's . I used Coopers before some 20 years ago and had no issues with them.

[cmadmaxman]

Good to hear about the Cooper tire addition to their line.
Have Coopers on my work truck and wagon, have been great tires!

I like to support USA owned company's when ever possible. Cooper and Goodyear are the only two American company's left!

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by cmadmaxman

Good to hear about the Cooper tire addition to their line.
Have Coopers on my work truck and wagon, have been great tires!

I like to support USA owned company's when ever possible. Cooper and Goodyear are the only two American company's left!

They are! Though cooper outsources some manufacturing to china and mexico... Wish I could tell which tires before buying


Placing these files here for reference. I'm probably leaning towards getting these

[kidjedi]

I'm finally in a position to purchase tires all around (6) for the 1975 Argosy 24, and tonight I've been revisiting all the tire threads I have bookmarked.

Michelins, Goodyears, and now these Coopers. What to do.

From the glowing reports in this thread, I guess I will be looking into the Centramatics as well.

Inspecting the vehicle (in the cold and dark), it currently has 8.75R16.5LT and the name I see is Widetrack Baja A/S. The tread is deep, but with all the checking and cracks, I can't believe they hold air.

I'm wondering why the current tire size is so different than what everyone else has.

I hate being a guinea pig, but if I go with the Coopers, that seems to be the situation in which I would be placing myself.

[kidjedi]

I see now that I'm an idiot and even though they are all P30 chassis, the 70's Argosies have much smaller wheels than the 80's Airstreams.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by kidjedi

I see now that I'm an idiot and even though they are all P30 chassis, the 70's Argosies have much smaller wheels than the 80's Airstreams.

Nope, definitely not an idiot! I was surprised when I bought the 20' Argosy after owning the 310 that the wheels and tires were different. After some research (like you just did) I found the same thing you did. The wheel wells on the Classics are actually larger to accommodate the larger wheels.

I did switch mine from the 16.5" wheels to 16" wheels because tires for the 16" wheels are a lot easier to find.

Brad

[martin300662]

The JB8 brake options (disc/drum) had the smaller wheels (even the later 250).

The JB9 brake option (disc/disc) need a bigger rear wheel to clear the caliper (and so a bigger front wheel to match).

Be careful though, even a 16in wheel with a LT235/85R16 tire touched the wheel well on Bella (maybe due to the new frame), and I had to swap for a LT225/85R16 to get clearance. The 16in wheel maybe smaller dia but the tire diameter is the same as the 16.5in (bigger if you use the 235/85R tire).

[bkahler]

I never really thought about why they made the wheel size change but that makes a whole lot of sense.

[davejay]

Hi guys
I have coopers on my western star. I got 100k on them. Doing quarterly inspections I have no wear on the drive tires. All 8 drive tires are wearing even. Now. I don't use a lot of brakes and I don't trounce on the throttle..... to much.. point is coopers are good tires. I think they re American made. Who knows anymore. Made in America could mean assembled or packaged here. I ve always liked coopers or Kelly's.
I got 295 x 50 x 15 coopers on my 50 caddy. Very cool. That s how these old cars should have looked. 2.5 inches lower. From the back the wheel wells are full of tire. Imagine . 6 inch chrome tips on the exhaust. Its cool.
Anyway .... coopers are a great tire. I ve always thought michlens were overrated and overpriced.

[Tireman9]

When making tire size changes just be sure that the new ST or LT type tires can support 115% of the MEASURED load you ar putting on the tires. That means the truck scale reading with the RV fully loaded to the heaviest you ever expect to be.

[cinesilver]

I’m not sure how to create a new thread but since this one is about tires maybe someone can help. I need new tires for my ‘65 Caravel. It currently has dynatrail 205/7515 ST radials. I was told not to get radials by an airstream renovation expert but I am told Goodyear endurance radials are great. I life the diamondback whitewalls but so expensive. What should I get?
Thanks!

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by cinesilver

I’m not sure how to create a new thread but since this one is about tires maybe someone can help. I need new tires for my ‘65 Caravel. It currently has dynatrail 205/7515 ST radials. I was told not to get radials by an airstream renovation expert but I am told Goodyear endurance radials are great. I life the diamondback whitewalls but so expensive. What should I get?
Thanks!

This thread is specifically about Airstream Motorhome tires and not trailer tires.
Having said that, a good choice IMHO for your 65 Caravel are the new goodyear endurance line. I have used them extensively. The tire store will most likely inflate them to 80psi, which would be to harsh of a ride for your trailer. You need to inflate them according to your weight.

[Magnet18]

info links
http://roadmastertires.com/by-applic...admaster-rm257
http://roadmastertires.com/by-applic...dmaster-rm-170

just ordered
2x RM170+, 225/70r19.5, load range F part number 90000039342
4x RM257, 225/70r19.5, load range F part number 90000036421
$1490 shipped, will be here Thursday

will keep yall posted

[davejay]

Hey
What about your spare.
Are you getting centermatics.
Get new valve stems too.

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by davejay

Hey
What about your spare.
Are you getting centermatics.
Get new valve stems too.

Good reminder on valve stems, i need to order some

Didn't spring for centramatics at this time, got the dynabeads which I've seen others on here have good success with, 6oz for each front 8 oz for each rear

Just taking the newest front tire to use as the spare

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Magnet18

Good reminder on valve stems, i need to order some

Didn't spring for centramatics at this time, got the dynabeads which I've seen others on here have good success with, 6oz for each front 8 oz for each rear

Just taking the newest front tire to use as the spare

Keep in mind that the front P-30 centramatics were made as a custom run, initiated by our group of Classic Airstreamers owners. Not sure I would be able to get them to do another batch, after they run out.