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Old 12-22-2021, 08:41 PM   #21
Amg
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Just got my motor home back from shop. The work was done at a Mercedes’ dealership in Delray Florida. Turns out the camber was way out causing misalignment. You could see it on tires. I am assuming that is how it came from factory or Airstream. Rear alignment was fine.
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Old 12-22-2021, 10:44 PM   #22
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Are we talking about a motor home or a trailer ??
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Old 12-23-2021, 05:57 AM   #23
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In this case, we’re talking about a motor home: Airstream Interstate.

Given Airstream makes both platforms in many varieties, it’s not unusual for someone to pop in and provide advice for a platform different from the one that’s actually being discussed in a particular thread. One way to reduce that frequency is to check the name of the sub-forum before posting, but on the phone app that’s not always obvious. In general, it’s best to accept the miss-posts in good humor, remembering that the poster of the misplaced response means well, and move on. [emoji41]
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Old 12-23-2021, 06:33 AM   #24
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If it was me, I would replace all 6 tires. Much cheaper than a blow out.
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Old 12-23-2021, 05:08 PM   #25
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Originally Posted by Amg View Post
Just got my motor home back from shop. The work was done at a Mercedes’ dealership in Delray Florida. Turns out the camber was way out causing misalignment. You could see it on tires. I am assuming that is how it came from factory or Airstream. Rear alignment was fine.
The Airstream Interstates come with camber misaligned. The camber is weight depended. Mercedes sets the camber on empty van at factory. Then Airstream loads it up with the conversion. They don’t reset camber at Airstream. Very few conversion companies bother to reset camber after build. Last info I had was that LTV was one of the few that does.
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Old 12-23-2021, 05:15 PM   #26
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The Airstream Interstates come with camber misaligned. The camber is weight depended. Mercedes sets the camber on empty van at factory. Then Airstream loads it up with the conversion. They don’t reset camber at Airstream. Very few conversion companies bother to reset camber after build. Last info I had was that LTV was one of the few that does.
Very true. GM's certified upfitter agreement requires upfitters to align upon completion of the upfit. I had many-a-councelling sessions with upfitters on this subject.
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Old 12-23-2021, 11:24 PM   #27
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My error, I failed to notice the type of unit. However my opinion is the same. If the front tires truly had tread separation which is a structural failure I would be concerned about the other tires.
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Old 01-01-2022, 11:46 AM   #28
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Went to Mercedes sprinter dealer in South Florida to buy and install new tires and to perform a wheel alignment. Even though higher priced thought that would do the best job. How wrong I was. My van took three days to complete even though I made an appointment three weeks in advance.

When I went to pick up unit all seemed good. For some unknown reason Airstream does not buy the optional tire pressure monitoring system from Mercedes. I installed a tireminder. I checked my tireminder app and the rear tires were at 60 psi as I always keep it but the new front tires were at 40 psi. When asked, a team of three went looking at the inside of my drivers door to see the recommended pressure. Without so much as saying a word to me one of the people took the van back into the shop. Customers are not allowed inside the shop. However I followed the van and when I got into the shop I saw my hood was open and someone with an air hose by the motor. I asked what they were doing. They said adjusting my rear tires. For some unknown reason they thought the two nipples under the hood were how you reached the rear inside tires for air. What they attached to was my airbags. I told them to stop and as quick as I could took the van home.

I guess I could have stopped payment but the aggravation would have been more then it was worth. A day later I received one of their service evaluation emails which I filled out with fireworks. Of course I got no response. Obviously they will never see me again.
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Old 01-02-2022, 02:25 PM   #29
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. . . For some unknown reason Airstream does not buy the optional tire pressure monitoring system from Mercedes. . .
There is no TPMS from Mercedes available for 3500 Sprinters used for the Interstates. Mercedes only offers factory TPMS on 2500 Sprinters as they are required by US DOT regulations. Those same regulations don't require TPMS for vehicles over 10,000 lbs. GVWR or with dual rear wheels.

As far as I know Ford is the only manufacturer to offer TPMS on heavy "1-ton" vans.

Like you I added my own aftermarket TPMS. I installed a TST system that has served me well for over 6 years after I had my fist inner dual flat. I highly recommend all owner of Interstate 24's add a TPMS for their own safety.
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Old 08-22-2022, 10:52 AM   #30
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new front tires

Hello all,

I have a similar tire question. We bought our 2017 Interstate GT EXT 24 in May of 2020. It has Continental Vanco tires on all wheels which I assume are original as the unit only had 9k miles on it when we purchased it. We now are at 27k miles. The front tire outside treads are completely worn away, evenly, on both front tires, the middle treads still have about 3/16th tread depth. I assume the wear is from the pressure on the outside of the tires from turns. The tires on the duallys still have 3/16" tread depth and even wear.

I am thinking of just replacing the front tires with Michelin Agelis Crossclimate, as recommended by Tire Rack, or another one of their tire recommendations made by Toyo, Firestone, or Kumho. We do not drive the RV in the winter so do not need snow tread capability.

Some posters say replace all tires as the originals have aged out, others say just replacing the front tires would be ok.

Anyone have any actual experience in just replacing the front tires in this kind of situation where the rear duallys look fine? Or, is it really just plain dangerous not to replace all six tires at the same time? Opinions on which tires to choose?

Thanks.
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Old 08-22-2022, 11:10 AM   #31
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Hello all,

I have a similar tire question. We bought our 2017 Interstate GT EXT 24 in May of 2020. It has Continental Vanco tires on all wheels which I assume are original as the unit only had 9k miles on it when we purchased it. We now are at 27k miles. The front tire outside treads are completely worn away, evenly, on both front tires, the middle treads still have about 3/16th tread depth. I assume the wear is from the pressure on the outside of the tires from turns. The tires on the duallys still have 3/16" tread depth and even wear.

I am thinking of just replacing the front tires with Michelin Agelis Crossclimate, as recommended by Tire Rack, or another one of their tire recommendations made by Toyo, Firestone, or Kumho. We do not drive the RV in the winter so do not need snow tread capability.

Some posters say replace all tires as the originals have aged out, others say just replacing the front tires would be ok.

Anyone have any actual experience in just replacing the front tires in this kind of situation where the rear duallys look fine? Or, is it really just plain dangerous not to replace all six tires at the same time? Opinions on which tires to choose?

Thanks.

I had the same problem last year. Front outer edge of the tires where worn but the back tires and duallys were good. Ours is a 2015 and we ran into the age or wear predicament. One shop recommended that we only change the front tires. Ended up replacing them all for a peace of mind. We chose to replace them with the Michelin Agilis Crossclimates LT215/85R16 and overall pretty happy with them.

We got it done at the MB Sprinter shop. While there we asked for them to install camber bolts to the front and had them do an alignment. The camber bolts will help with alignment and that outer edge wear. Will also make it easier to align at other shops too. Parts and labor for the camber bolts was about $350.

Good luck.
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Old 08-22-2022, 11:47 AM   #32
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I would replace all tires. Tires are not something to be cheap on.
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Old 08-22-2022, 12:25 PM   #33
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...The front tire outside treads are completely worn away, evenly, on both front tires, the middle treads still have about 3/16th tread depth. I assume the wear is from the pressure on the outside of the tires from turns. The tires on the duallys still have 3/16" tread depth and even wear.....
Uneven wear on front tires is almost always due to alignment issues. There are also a few front end components which could contribute to odd tire wear.

Before spending anything on new tires, it would be a good idea to get the van to a front end shop that specializes in your chassis and have them thoroughly inspect.

Putting new tires on a vehicle with an alignment or front end issue is just throwing good money after bad.

Once the front end issues are worked out, there are no rules regarding having a different brand of tire on the front vs rear axle. As long as the tires are the correct size and load range it shouldn't matter.
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Old 08-22-2022, 01:10 PM   #34
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Do not recommend mixing tire brands unless emergency on the road and you can't find right brand. Go to Michelins line of LT tires.
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Old 08-22-2022, 01:23 PM   #35
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Do not recommend mixing tire brands unless emergency on the road and you can't find right brand. Go to Michelins line of LT tires.
Curious where you get this from? I've aways been told that having matched tires is only important for tires on the same axle, not on the same vehicle as long as they're the same size and rating. If there is newer information about this I'd enjoy reading more about it.
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Old 08-22-2022, 04:14 PM   #36
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That’s ridiculous that they don’t reset the camber at Airstream
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Old 08-23-2022, 08:39 AM   #37
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Curious where you get this from? I've aways been told that having matched tires is only important for tires on the same axle, not on the same vehicle as long as they're the same size and rating. If there is newer information about this I'd enjoy reading more about it.
Why would you want to mix brands vs getting all the same brand/model tires, if replacing one or two?. (I am not an expert here, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn once...)

Actually, I worked for a service station early on prior to college for a couple years, where we did every repair imaginable to vehicles, including brakes, tires, rebuilds, etc...Thats what the general consensus was; when possible, stay with same tire/brand. Caveat would be of course, if you have "crappy tires" and limited resources, perhaps replace as you are able.
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Old 08-23-2022, 10:26 AM   #38
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Good RV Tire resource

Everything you want/need to know about RV tires/alignment/rotation etc. can be found here;https://www.rvtiresafety.net/
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Old 08-23-2022, 11:59 AM   #39
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Everything you want/need to know about RV tires/alignment/rotation etc. can be found here;https://www.rvtiresafety.net/
Thank Rig Rat - I've bookmarked it.
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