Wheels and tires

[Scbohorquez]

Hi all, I own an Argosy MH 24” from 1977, I need to replace the tires but want to get better options switching them from 16.5 to 16. I have read so many threads but haven’t found the model number of the wheels used for this switch.

I came across this wheels and asking all the experts on this field if I have the right wheels

Front wheels
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/ion-wh...LGB-167-6681FP

Rear
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/ion-wh...LGB-167-6681RP

Also read that for the rear inner is better to get steel any reference?

Thank a lot

Silvia

[GWallace]

I have changed out the 16.5” wheels on two different Argosy motorhomes to 16” wheels. The first time I used Alcoa wheels and then when I got ready to change the second Argosy, Alcoa quit making the ones for the Chevy Chassis. The only wheels available were the Ion wheels. I purchased mine from Summit Racing who has a large warehouse here in Arlington Texas. The Ion wheels worked just fine.

Very important - do not put the Aluminum wheels on the rear inside. You must use a steel wheel on the rear inside. On the Chevy chassis, the wheels are hub centric, which means the weight is carried on hub and not through the lugs. The “thinner” steel wheel allows the thicker aluminum wheel to fully engage the weight carrying diameter of the rear hub.

I used Michelin LT225/75R16 Load Range E Tires which gives the same outside diameter as the original 8.75/16.5 tires and the speedometer retains its original accuracy.

[Krg22]

Aren't the lug nuts ,diff for steel than alum

[GWallace]

Oh yes, when I purchased the Ion Wheels from Summit Racing, I also purchased a set of appropriate lug nuts. When I changed to the 16” wheels, I bought 2 front Ions, 2 rear Ions, and 3 steel wheels. (And aLso 7 tires). Two of the steel wheels are on the rear inside and one for the spare on the third steel wheel. In case of an emergency, and a steel wheel is on the outside or on the front (with reduced speed), I can can at least keep moving. With a possible steel wheel on the outside, I kept a couple sets of the original lug nuts and the original clamp rings
Several times in the past, I have lost one of the load range E 16.5” tires and could not obtain load range E tires away from major metropolitan areas in a timely manner. Therefore all of my tires including the spare are Load Range E tires. The front axle is where the Load Range E’s are required, the rear axle can use Load Range D’s. The weight on the front axle makes the D’ and steel wheels marginal (reduced speed) according to tire and wheel specifications. That is why in my case, I have all E’s and kept some of the original lug nuts and clamp rings.

[martin300662]

Although the lug nuts are different for steel/alloy, you select the type the lug is matting with. So as Gregg says, if the lug is matting with a steel wheel, use the steel wheel lug, and vice versa.

This is not an Airstream problem but relates to any vehicle fitted with alloy wheels but using a steel wheel (for example a space saver) I even have it on my Nissan NV200 which has alloy wheels but a steel spare - have to change lug nuts when using the spare.

[Gregsch]

Originally Posted by GWallace

I have changed out the 16.5” wheels on two different Argosy motorhomes to 16” wheels. The first time I used Alcoa wheels and then when I got ready to change the second Argosy, Alcoa quit making the ones for the Chevy Chassis. The only wheels available were the Ion wheels. I purchased mine from Summit Racing who has a large warehouse here in Arlington Texas. The Ion wheels worked just fine.

Very important - do not put the Aluminum wheels on the rear inside. You must use a steel wheel on the rear inside. On the Chevy chassis, the wheels are hub centric, which means the weight is carried on hub and not through the lugs. The “thinner” steel wheel allows the thicker aluminum wheel to fully engage the weight carrying diameter of the rear hub.

I used Michelin LT225/75R16 Load Range E Tires which gives the same outside diameter as the original 8.75/16.5 tires and the speedometer retains its original accuracy.

I see several Ion wheels on the summit website. Do you have the part number you purchased?

[Boxite]

16.5 Wheel are a throw-back to WW2 Military vehicles that used them.

GET RID of ihat system…because your are at a disadvantage when buying tires and other parts. It’s and OBSOLETE SYSTEM.

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted by Scbohorquez

Hi all, I own an Argosy MH 24” from 1977, I need to replace the tires but want to get better options switching them from 16.5 to 16. I have read so many threads but haven’t found the model number of the wheels used for this switch.

I came across this wheels and asking all the experts on this field if I have the right wheels

Front wheels
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/ion-wh...LGB-167-6681FP

Rear
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/ion-wh...LGB-167-6681RP

Also read that for the rear inner is better to get steel any reference?

Thank a lot

Silvia

I am sure others would benefit if you told us what you did - with details, of course!

[TAE]

Originally Posted by GWallace

I have changed out the 16.5” wheels on two different Argosy motorhomes to 16” wheels. The first time I used Alcoa wheels and then when I got ready to change the second Argosy, Alcoa quit making the ones for the Chevy Chassis. The only wheels available were the Ion wheels. I purchased mine from Summit Racing who has a large warehouse here in Arlington Texas. The Ion wheels worked just fine.

Very important - do not put the Aluminum wheels on the rear inside. You must use a steel wheel on the rear inside. On the Chevy chassis, the wheels are hub centric, which means the weight is carried on hub and not through the lugs. The “thinner” steel wheel allows the thicker aluminum wheel to fully engage the weight carrying diameter of the rear hub.

I used Michelin LT225/75R16 Load Range E Tires which gives the same outside diameter as the original 8.75/16.5 tires and the speedometer retains its original accuracy.

Good morning,
I am looking for front tires. Are you saying that Michelin LT225/75R16 will fit the front tires?

[TAE]

Originally Posted by Scbohorquez

Hi all, I own an Argosy MH 24” from 1977, I need to replace the tires but want to get better options switching them from 16.5 to 16. I have read so many threads but haven’t found the model number of the wheels used for this switch.

I came across this wheels and asking all the experts on this field if I have the right wheels

Front wheels
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/ion-wh...LGB-167-6681FP

Rear
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/ion-wh...LGB-167-6681RP

Also read that for the rear inner is better to get steel any reference?

Thank a lot

Silvia

What tires did you end up using?

[mojofilter]

Hello -
I went on Summit Racing's website and checked the fitment for a 1975 Chevy P30. They say the these wheels (below) do NOT fit my vehicle.
Could this be because the originals were 16.5"?


"Front wheels
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/ion-wh...LGB-167-6681FP

Rear
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/ion-wh...LGB-167-6681RP"


Thanks,
- Tim

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by mojofilter

Hello -
I went on Summit Racing's website and checked the fitment for a 1975 Chevy P30. They say the these wheels (below) do NOT fit my vehicle.
Could this be because the originals were 16.5"?


"Front wheels
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/ion-wh...LGB-167-6681FP

Rear
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/ion-wh...LGB-167-6681RP"


Thanks,
- Tim

The website is wrong....

You use a pair of steel 16" rims for the inner duallies, but those Ion wheels fit the front and outer rears.

You also need to get new wheel bolts.

This changes all the wheels to use modern 16" LT tires

[mojofilter]

Thanks Martin300662!
That's what I figured. JEGS has the same wheels at a slightly better price. Now I will need a steel wheel for the spare. Any sources you can suggest?


On another subject, any idea where I can get a wiring diagram for a Chevy P30 (1975 or there abouts)? Chassis and dash wiring? I see them out there for $$. Hoping an Airstreamer out there might have a PDF to share.
- Tim

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by mojofilter

Thanks Martin300662!
That's what I figured. JEGS has the same wheels at a slightly better price. Now I will need a steel wheel for the spare. Any sources you can suggest?


On another subject, any idea where I can get a wiring diagram for a Chevy P30 (1975 or there abouts)? Chassis and dash wiring? I see them out there for $$. Hoping an Airstreamer out there might have a PDF to share.
- Tim

I haven't checked in a while but JEGS and Summit used to sell the steel wheels as well. They are certainly available via eBay etc as they were standard Chevy/GMC parts.

Of course your local scrap yard is always a possibility but Chevy/GMC changed to 17" many years ago so they are getting rarer.

The chassis wiring is readily available if you search for 1975 Chevy Light Trucks or the P chassis wiring diagram is on my Gdrive (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B91...BGg8XM-XrdzcuA), the Airstream wiring less so.

The owners manual is here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B91...zjOFxVyJ79Ewiw) but has almost no maintenance information. This was remedied by 1977 (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B91...WrWb53bFEaZ7nQ) when Airstream standardized how they built units - they earlier units are all different and they literally built them from whatever they had on hand.