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Old 01-18-2014, 10:27 AM   #1
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1983 31' Airstream310
Hillsburgh , Ontario
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Just a thought, 19.5-22.5

I have been looking into new tires as well as others for my 310 TD, and have found many manufacturers are discontinuing production of 8R-19.5" tires. Michelin is out, along with Bridgestone and Sumitomo have discontinued sizing for our beloved 8R-19.5" with others to follow suite.
The ramifications of these manufacturers discontinuing production drives up prices to the consumer as it reduces competition and stock. Also what stocks are out there are getting older with "new tires" having four or five year old DOT numbers and reduces our options to Chinese poor quality tires.

So what to do.

Metric tires do fit our 6" rims but we end up losing an inch or two in outside diameter. In my diesel that could result in up to a 500 rpm increase for any set speed. Yes you can go 245mm but that's getting too close for comfort on the dually's.

http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/size-conversions.aspx

http://www.ehow.com/list_7440499_eff...9_5-tires.html

What would it take to mount 6.75" rims to our rigs and does someone make longer studs to accommodate them? I know I can get new rims from Rickson or Accuride.

Has anyone thought of a 19.5"- 22.5" swap. On the current workhorse platform this is now an option at production. What would it take to convert to 22.5" and what possible tire size would you run?

This is me just asking as I'm trying to open better options for replacing tires in the future.

Cheers
Tony
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Old 01-18-2014, 11:09 AM   #2
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1984 31' Airstream310
Honokaa , Hawaii
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My experience with obscure brand Chinese tires has been good. The coach had a new set of "Double Coin" brand tires when I bought it. Travelled coast to coast and back with no tire problems. I replaced the steer tires in Delaware at the same time the steering coupler/rag joint was replaced because I had been fighting the steering wheel for a long time and the tires were starting to wear on the outside edges. The only tires in stock to replace them with were more cheap tires made in China, bought those and drove back to Montana with no problems. It would be nice if they were US made, but I haven't seen any quality problems.
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Old 01-18-2014, 11:20 AM   #3
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Thanks for replying Waipio Rim. Don't get me wrong. I don't have anything against Chinese people, but would prefer to support a company that supports a higher living standard for its employees. I know that even buying a "Made in America" Ford F150 or Lockheed Martin C-130 military aircraft these days will involve buying Chinese made circuit boards or other parts, as companies try to buy things as cheap as they can; but I try and take a different path if I can with my money.

I just found this……..fitment is for all 3500HD trucks from 73-00

American Force 22 5 Classic Dually Wheels AF225 C4 | eBay
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Old 01-18-2014, 01:50 PM   #4
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1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch , California
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Its a good question and one that I investigated last year.
Accuraride and Alcoa wheels are common and cheaper than 19.5's.. so I was thinking that the 22.5's would look good..
Example of 22.5

First problem:
Mounting PCD. Most are different and have a larger center bore and bolt pattern. I investigated and found a place that was "planning" a CNC'd adaptor... the problem was they were talking about almost $1000 a set, and then there was the issue of offset on the dually axle... and those of us with tag axles are in bigger trouble..
Scond problem:
Tire size and circumference. I think there was a size that was close to the 8R 19.5. but still bigger.

All in all, I put the idea on the backburner as I have other things to resolve first!
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Old 01-18-2014, 02:35 PM   #5
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Nice set of wheels if that's your truck Steve.

I know that there will be issues to overcome but I just thought with easily programmed CNC these days that they couldn't take a 22.5" blank of aluminum and instead of machining 8x whatever the GM bolt pattern is for their trucks, machine 10x 7.25 with a 5.25" centre bore. It's quite easy to figure out offset for the rears.

As for overall size…..with a 80 series tire on a 22.5" rim you're looking at 39 versus 33" overall diameter. I will be looking under the rig to get my clearance measurements soon.

I have sent an e-mail to American Force to test the waters. I will keep you all apprized of my findings.
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Old 01-18-2014, 04:31 PM   #6
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1982 28' Airstream 280
Port Angeles , Washington
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Isuzusweet View Post
Nice set of wheels if that's your truck Steve.

I know that there will be issues to overcome but I just thought with easily programmed CNC these days that they couldn't take a 22.5" blank of aluminum and instead of machining 8x whatever the GM bolt pattern is for their trucks, machine 10x 7.25 with a 5.25" centre bore. It's quite easy to figure out offset for the rears.

As for overall size…..with a 80 series tire on a 22.5" rim you're looking at 39 versus 33" overall diameter. I will be looking under the rig to get my clearance measurements soon.

I have sent an e-mail to American Force to test the waters. I will keep you all apprized of my findings.
I think you would run into clearance problems. On my 280 the horizontal pipe that goes from the air cleaner across to the flex tube to the turbo is supported by an exhaust pipe type hanger and a worm drive hose clamp, you gas guys can ignore this. If the tightening screw on the hose clamp is on the rear side of the pipe the tire hits it on a right turn. Also with the suspension compressed there is very little room from the tire to the floor board.

Most of these outfits use some kind of wheel adapter to fit the bolt pattern and I'm not too keen on wheel adapters on a heavy vehicle. They also offer 19.5 rims of varying widths so going to a 22.5 is not really necessary. I agree setting up the CNC to punch out the correct lug pattern should not be a problem but the guys I talked to don't even want to discuss it. Maybe if we got enough guys together to make a group buy somebody would be interested but I don't know how many wheels it would take.
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Old 01-18-2014, 07:04 PM   #7
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It is my understanding that:
8R 19.5 = 33.1" diameter
225/70 R19.5 =32" diameter
Both are ok on 6" rims.

There used to be a 225/70 R22.5 made which was 32"... but cant find any now.

235/80r 22.5 is a commonly available RV tire, but diameter jumps to 37.1".

Of course, the 22.5 tires all have a bigger weight rating... and more space for bigger brakes...

More reading info here....
Dominator 8 to 10 bolt Adaptor
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Old 01-18-2014, 08:55 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Smartstream View Post
I think you would run into clearance problems. On my 280 the horizontal pipe that goes from the air cleaner across to the flex tube to the turbo is supported by an exhaust pipe type hanger and a worm drive hose clamp, you gas guys can ignore this. If the tightening screw on the hose clamp is on the rear side of the pipe the tire hits it on a right turn. Also with the suspension compressed there is very little room from the tire to the floor board.

Most of these outfits use some kind of wheel adapter to fit the bolt pattern and I'm not too keen on wheel adapters on a heavy vehicle. They also offer 19.5 rims of varying widths so going to a 22.5 is not really necessary. I agree setting up the CNC to punch out the correct lug pattern should not be a problem but the guys I talked to don't even want to discuss it. Maybe if we got enough guys together to make a group buy somebody would be interested but I don't know how many wheels it would take.
Yes, I know there could be clearance issues, the air intake is the least of my worries as John(Shepherd57) has already transfered the intake to the very front of his rig and out of the wheel well.
As for adapters…we already have the 10 bolt 7.25" versus the 8 bolt system of the P/U's so I'm not sure why it's a huge deal to drill the blanks to our specs? No adapters would be the best.
Yes, I still might go for a 19.5x 6.75, but only if the tire selection is good.

Like I said I'm in curiousity mode and asking questions………I might even ask if they could supply me the wheel blanks without the bolt pattern or centre bore drilled out. I'll do it myself across the road.

Cheers
Tony
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