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Old 09-16-2021, 02:36 PM   #1
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2007 19' Safari
Hawthorne , California
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 8
Liftkit & Upgrading to 16" Wheels & Tires? Worth it?

Hi there! New owner of a 2007 19.5' Safari (Bambi) and this is my 2nd post. Very grateful for the knowledge of this community.

My tiny driveway, in ridiculous Los Angeles, is so steep I can't back it in without laying out a bunch of lumber in the lowers part of the curved street and sharply rising driveway.

So I've got it at the LA Dealer having the 3" lift kit (made by Dexter) installed. This is already happening, so if you think I've made a bad decision on that front...too late!!

However, I'm considering upgrading the wheels from the 15" to the 16" wheel and having 225/75/16 tires put on. This would give me another 1" in lift as well as beefier wheels/tires. I haven't greenlit this yet. Thoughts??

Go gentle on me. Thank you.
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Old 09-16-2021, 03:53 PM   #2
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2022 25' Flying Cloud
NCR , Ontario
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we did the 3" lift on our 2017 sport 22fb
it was worth it

we also added a new 2 level alum step and then added a rear bumper

we also moved to 16" wheels as the supply for 15" is VERY limited now
there are far more 16" options than there are 15"
20 years ago, 15" wheels were VERY common, not now
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Old 09-16-2021, 04:09 PM   #3
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2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle , Pennsylvania
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Hi

I would be a bit careful about the tires I put on the 16" wheels. There are some that get really large. They may or may not fit, even with a 3" lift .....

Bob
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Old 09-16-2021, 04:10 PM   #4
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2017 25' International
West Lake Hills , Texas
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Lift is a good idea. I installed it in my driveway.

I wanted 16” wheels. Couldn’t get the wheels/rims in time for a trip. Had to replace the GY marathons. Stayed with 15” GY Endurance.
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Old 09-16-2021, 04:14 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by juddf View Post
Hi there! New owner of a 2007 19.5' Safari (Bambi) and this is my 2nd post. Very grateful for the knowledge of this community.

My tiny driveway, in ridiculous Los Angeles, is so steep I can't back it in without laying out a bunch of lumber in the lowers part of the curved street and sharply rising driveway.

So I've got it at the LA Dealer having the 3" lift kit (made by Dexter) installed. This is already happening, so if you think I've made a bad decision on that front...too late!!

However, I'm considering upgrading the wheels from the 15" to the 16" wheel and having 225/75/16 tires put on. This would give me another 1" in lift as well as beefier wheels/tires. I haven't greenlit this yet. Thoughts??

Go gentle on me. Thank you.
'Worth it' is a subjectively moving target. 🤔

If you want it and have the cash to do it, continue the research and make a decision.

To many of the ignorant masses an Airstream isn't worth it.

Sweet Streams....

Bob
🇺🇸
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Old 09-16-2021, 05:04 PM   #6
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2007 19' Safari
Hawthorne , California
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uncle_bob View Post
Hi

I would be a bit careful about the tires I put on the 16" wheels. There are some that get really large. They may or may not fit, even with a 3" lift .....

Bob
Thank you all! Bob, the Lead Service Advisor at the dealer is suggesting GT Radial, Max Miler 225/75/16 so I feel confident about fit. Do you think there's a better option? Thanks!
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Old 09-17-2021, 07:17 AM   #7
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2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle , Pennsylvania
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Quote:
Originally Posted by juddf View Post
Thank you all! Bob, the Lead Service Advisor at the dealer is suggesting GT Radial, Max Miler 225/75/16 so I feel confident about fit. Do you think there's a better option? Thanks!
Hi

Most dealers are hooked up with specific tire companies. They will recommend tires from that outfit. How good tires from this or that outfit are is a topic we could go on and on about. Michelins are my goto brand for most stuff. There are tries bigger than 225/75R16 that likely fit.

Bob
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Old 09-17-2021, 07:40 AM   #8
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Waukesha , Wisconsin
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Have you done the math on the tires you're looking at? They may fit on the rims, but still have to have adequate clearance front and rear as well as side to side. The stock size on my trailer doesn't leave all that much room. Not sure what measurements you're working with, but it might be worth getting the width & diameter and doing some checking.
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Old 09-17-2021, 09:14 AM   #9
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2021 25' Flying Cloud
Woodbury , CT
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15" to 16"

Won't going from a 15" to a 16" only add 1/2" in height?
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Old 09-17-2021, 09:43 AM   #10
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2012 28' Flying Cloud
Marquette , Michigan
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GY Endurance - huge upgrade

Can’t speak to the value of the lift thing just to get slightly larger tires since I chose another direction. Thought about it earlier this year when it was time for new rubber, but after talking to my favorite Airstream expert Rich Luhr in Tucson I decided it wasn’t worth the expense. I did go with GY Endurance tires and have been very pleased. Wish you the best.
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Old 09-17-2021, 09:57 AM   #11
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2020 19' Caravel
Ammon , Idaho
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stevegilmore View Post
Won't going from a 15" to a 16" only add 1/2" in height?
The wheel will add 1/2". The tires can be taller, as well, that depends on width and aspect ratio (the first two numbers in the tire size).
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Old 09-17-2021, 10:02 AM   #12
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1967 17' Caravel
Oakland , California
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Is this all about backing your AS into your driveway?
I would think that the higher the distance between the roadway and the bottom of the AS would collect more air which is something you don't really want at 65+mph. Consider the trade off.
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Old 09-17-2021, 10:15 AM   #13
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2021 28' Flying Cloud
Hudson , Ohio
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Remember to consider your storage options. My FC was 9'9" out of the factory. I added the lift kit option and guess what - the AS is now 10'1". I can no longer get under a 10' door opening. Probably wasn't 9'9" originally but I believed everything AS told me or printed. Duh! I do like the extra clearance and there are no apparent handling issues.
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Old 09-17-2021, 10:23 AM   #14
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2005 25' Safari
palm beach gardens , Florida
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I put in 3” lift, then went to 16” wheels and Michelin LT.
Couldn’t be happier however I have a 25’ Safari so might not apply
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Old 09-17-2021, 10:29 AM   #15
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1995 34' Excella
Lynchburg , Virginia
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The lift kit should solve your driveway problem. So why would you spend the money for 16” wheels and tires? I would go with Goodyear Endurance. I have 30k on mine and they seem to be a great trailer tire.

Dan
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Old 09-17-2021, 11:27 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stevegilmore View Post
Won't going from a 15" to a 16" only add 1/2" in height?
All depends on which tire you install. Often people will swap for larger wheels on vehicles but maintain the same overall diameter by going with a different tire size. The result is less sidewall, which can affect ride.

There are websites out there which will help you calculate which tire/wheel combination will result in the same overall diameter as the OEM tires/wheels, and then you'll have a starting point.
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Old 09-17-2021, 11:55 AM   #17
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2019 27' International
2014 25' International
2006 23' Safari SE
Boulder City , Nevada
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Tape Measure Garage Door and 'new' Trailer Height

Our 2019 27 foot has the 'new and improved 9 foot 9 inch taller trailer' duct work for the Air Conditioning units. It would fit through the 10 foot tall garage door into the back yard. I did not try as I immediately went to the dealer's 3 inch lift at purchase.

Without the Improved AC Ducts... stock 15 inch tires... no lift... 9 feet 7 inches.

Adding the 3 inch lift kit and the 16 inch tires would easily enter our front 14 foot entrance... but not through the current 10 foot door to the back yard.

Our 2014 25 foot could pass through the 10 foot door, with 16 inch tires and NO Lift and NO 2 inch or so taller duct work for the AC air into the interior.

I like the 16 inch Michelin 225 width. They also come in 235 width, which I may check out whenever I want a bit wider tire for our heavier trailer.

Changing the height of the Airstream is EASY. Entrance through your current garage entry may NOT. Get out the tape measure. If your model has the elevated duct work... and 3 inch lift and .5 inch tire... it adds up. If the entrance is at an ANGLE... then the REAR Top and AC Units need to clear with the angle increasing the entry height.

Hope this helps. These are items many do not figure into the Trailer Changes.
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Old 09-17-2021, 02:10 PM   #18
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1999 30' Excella 1000
Chatham , Virginia
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Did the lift. I am very pleased with it. No different handling that I can tell. Needed it for some of the camping that we do..
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Old 09-17-2021, 08:57 PM   #19
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2018 27' Flying Cloud
INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH , Florida
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stevegilmore View Post
Won't going from a 15" to a 16" only add 1/2" in height?
Correct! 1 inch more tire is dispersed across the whole tire, not just the lower half.
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Old 09-20-2021, 04:13 PM   #20
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2019 22' Sport
Margaritaville , Florida
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+1 on lift kit (2019 22' Bambi).

My spare tire carrier no longer scrapes getting in/out of my driveway, and I feel better on sketchy roads. Since installing the lift kit, I've driven 3,000+ miles on all kinds of roads and grades. No noticeable difference in handling.

I have to extend the stabilizer jacks a bit more, but have not had to modify them nor use blocks. It's now 12" to the step, instead of 9", but it's tolerable.

I considered larger tires, but don't feel I need them. Will reconsider when the original tires need to be replaced.
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