15" Tire dilemma

[91Excella]

I don't post much, but just thought I'd share. I think I may have found the answer to the 15" tire dilemma for my 32' 1991 Excella(8300LBS GVW). After bad luck with Marathons I had been running Maxxis for the past 5 years with no problems, but time to replace and the price has gone out of sight on them now. So I did some research and just received 4 Continental VANCO 2 commercial truck tires in the 225-70R15D size from Tire Rack. The Continentals are only 4 tenths of an inch shorter than the 225-75R15D Marathons, and at 65 LBS pressure the Contis are rated at 2470 LBS MAX load at 106 MPH, which equates to a lot higher capacity at 65 MPH. They come with a 1 year road hazard warranty and 6 years otherwise. I called Continental customer service and they indicated that using them on a trailer was within their design parameters, they would recommend it, and it would not affect the warranty. These tires are original equipment on the Mercedes Freightliner Sprinter van, so they should be good for tall heavy loads. If the group is interested I will post my impressions after I have some towing miles on them.
Guy

[Bluto]

A follow up would be interesting.

[Skatiero]

Sounds interesting!

[aftermath]

Thanks for this post. There has been a lot of talk about changing to LT tires, especially with the larger trailers. I would like to hear how this works out for you as well as any others who go the same direction. Personally, I like having the option to upgrade to an LT without having to change out all 5 wheels.

[RLS]

LOL, I've been trying to let others know about these for almost 3 yrs. I do not travel that much, due to the economy, but still have put about 15,000 miles on them. All look like new yet. Here is my first thread on them:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...res-56284.html

[Ridgerunner3]

These seem to be a really good option for those who want a 15" LT tire. I am running Maxxis D's right now and have been studying all of the tire threads to decide the best option for the future. Tire Rack describes them as a light truck tire. I have not found much information on the Continential site about the tires. Please continue to post your experience with the tires. One of the items I am interested to see is if you have any noticeable issues with the decreased trailer height.

[r carl]

I like these on older trailers.
RY215 Commercial Light Truck Tires | Yokohama Tire Corp.

And these on newer trailers.
Continental USA Car / Light Truck / SUV -VancoContact™2

[Silverflames]

So what was the cost of them?

[Friday]

Originally Posted by 91Excella

The Continentals are only 4 tenths of an inch shorter than the 225-75R15D Marathons, and at 65 LBS pressure the Contis are rated at 2470 LBS MAX load at 106 MPH, which equates to a lot higher capacity at 65 MPH.
Guy

I'm not sure that is how the ratings work - though it might be case - I think the tire is rated for a certain load, then tested to make sure it doesn't heat up and blow at a given speed rating. i.e., going 53mph doesn't give the tire a load rating of 2940lbs.

I'm sure there is some leeway, and that going slower helps... but if you went to Conti with a warranty issue and they were run overloaded, I don't think they'd care how slow you were going.

[91Excella]

Comforting to see someone is running them successfully already. I paid $139. each at Tire Rack plus $49. total shipping for 4 to my installer. Hope to get them mounted in a week or so. Will post again after I get some run time on them in April and May. Since the tires combined load capacity is 9880 LBS at 65LBS air pressure and my GVWR is 8300 LBS and dry weight is 6800 LBS plus I run with empty tanks I don't see me overloading them. The Airstream Owners Manual for my trailer spec'd the original tires at 50 LBS of air pressure for 225 75R15 tires which would indicate they were only C load rated which seems much more border line compared to these Conti tires.
Thanks.
Guy

[r.swanson]

i have 700x15 now would 225 70 15 work or what size do i need?

[perryg114]

700x15 is supposed to be the same as 225/75-15 I believe. You can run slightly smaller or larger diameter tires. Most folks prefer slightly larger diameter than stock because our axels are sagging a little and it gives us more ground clearance. You can run pretty much anything that will fit in the wheel well as long as it has enough capacity. I am running 235/75-15. You can run 225/70-15 if you want.

Perry

[91Excella]

Originally Posted by 91Excella

I don't post much, but just thought I'd share. I think I may have found the answer to the 15" tire dilemma for my 32' 1991 Excella(8300LBS GVW). After bad luck with Marathons I had been running Maxxis for the past 5 years with no problems, but time to replace and the price has gone out of sight on them now. So I did some research and just received 4 Continental VANCO 2 commercial truck tires in the 225-70R15D size from Tire Rack. The Continentals are only 4 tenths of an inch shorter than the 225-75R15D Marathons, and at 65 LBS pressure the Contis are rated at 2470 LBS MAX load at 106 MPH, which equates to a lot higher capacity at 65 MPH. They come with a 1 year road hazard warranty and 6 years otherwise. I called Continental customer service and they indicated that using them on a trailer was within their design parameters, they would recommend it, and it would not affect the warranty. These tires are original equipment on the Mercedes Freightliner Sprinter van, so they should be good for tall heavy loads. If the group is interested I will post my impressions after I have some towing miles on them.
Guy

I promised a followup report on my experience with the Conti Vanco 2 tires. I have now towed with the 225 70R15 E Conti Vanco 2 tires on my 32' Excella from New Jersey to New Orleans in the heat of summer, on highways up to 65 mph, through rain, mountains and backroads. I have towed with empty tanks and full tanks. I also towed from NJ to the Lake George area of New York's Adirondacks and through Pennsylvania to Virginia's Shenendoah National Park, as well as several shorter trips. These tires have performed and handled flawlessly under all conditions and I like them even more than the Maxxis ST tires I used previously. The ride is soft and easy on the trailer even at the 65 PSI I carry, judging from things not shaking apart or moving around inside the trailer while travelling and no popped rivets. I see no unusual tire sidewall action when jack knife backing into my tight driveway as compared to the Maxxis tires. At $139. they are an excellent quality tire with the proper load rating for my Excella designed by Conti for tall top heavy Mercedes Sprinter trucks and I now feel very confident in them.
Guy

[91Excella]

The Vanco's are D not E rated, my misprint.
Guy