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PINKBIKE · 07-22-2008, 01:55 PM

Hello,and Thank you for any help you may give ....I need to know the lug pattern ,and what size spare tire to buy so I can have one available when I go pick up my trailer for the first time!!! any help would be great !

Ramp · 07-22-2008, 02:09 PM

My 1970 Safari has six lug wheel with 15 inch tires. You need a trailer rated wheel such as Inland RV has as a car or truck wheel is not strong enough. I like a "D" or "E" rated tire. I think "E" rating is ten ply rated. The cheap tires may work on short trips but will come apart at highway speeds and long pulls. Great luck with your new Airstream!

PINKBIKE · 07-22-2008, 02:22 PM

oh by the way....the current owner says this trailer weighs in at almost 7,000 lbs is this correct ? according to http://www.airstream.com/docs/weights-1.pdf they say it weighs in at 4 and change,,,who is right ???>

drag'nwagon · 07-22-2008, 02:46 PM

Rollerboy,

The airstream data should be close. I doubt it is anywhere near 7K pounds. The high bias tire for that trailer should be a 700-15 load D. for a radial 225-75-15 load D.

Area63 · 07-22-2008, 03:33 PM

15x6, zero offset, 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern. 3 11/16 min. center bore.

ticki2 · 07-22-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rollerboy

oh by the way....the current owner says this trailer weighs in at almost 7,000 lbs is this correct ? according to http://www.airstream.com/docs/weights-1.pdf they say it weighs in at 4 and change,,,who is right ???>

The docs are giving the dry weight , the loaded weight ( GVWR ) is substantially more . My '76 GVWR is 5800#. It would probably take a 31 footer to get to the 7000#.

PINKBIKE · 07-23-2008, 02:49 AM

We are buying it for sure !!!!! shooting to pick it up this Saturday,but not locked into that day for sure,may have to wait another week for my nerves..... it has not rolled in 5 years,and may need some on the spot work.... will keep you all posted !! Thank You All...........So may questions yet to come....

Dan@LED4RV · 07-23-2008, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rollerboy

lug pattern

If you have trouble finding the rims???

We also have the old style Dexters in 13 14 and 15 inch.

Dan

PINKBIKE · 08-04-2008, 04:26 AM

Bought it ! cleaned it up,camped in it !!!Love it ,now where does the spare tire get stored ? kinda gets old tossing it in the back of our van..... heard it originally went underneath the very front of the trailer,but would that not seriously mess with your ground clearance ?Thanks for any help...

87MH · 08-04-2008, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rollerboy

..... heard it originally went underneath the very front of the trailer,but would that not seriously mess with your ground clearance ?Thanks for any help...

It does not decrease the ground clearance at all - more than half of the tire depth is buried into the A-frame

As you can see from the pic below you can barely tell the spare is there without kneeling down to inspect the underbelly.

PINKBIKE · 08-04-2008, 06:45 PM

ok,call me slow but when I looked underneath my trailer today it was indeed a smooth bottom(without the weldnuts that I heard most trailers come with so shall I mount on the underside of the tongue?please advise....Thank You !!

**azflycaster** · 08-04-2008, 06:54 PM

When the spare tire carrier is installed a section of the belly pan is removed. The exposed floor (bottom side) is then covered with aluminum skin to protect it. The mounting for the carrier goes in the first cross member.

Dan@LED4RV · 08-05-2008, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87MH

It does not decrease the ground clearance at all - more than half of the tire depth is buried into the A-frame

As you can see from the pic below you can barely tell the spare is there without kneeling down to inspect the underbelly.

I like it.
How hard is it to get up and down?

I have always thought that the spare tire rack that Airstream designed made the tire hard to get up into the rack. It may be that all in all, that design may be the best that can be done for the given area.

Dan

overlander63 · 08-05-2008, 04:46 AM

We have the factory setup for our spare, and I can tell you with no doubt it is 10 times easier than removing the spare from out F250. The "secret" is to roll the tire into the bracket, then lie down and basically bench-press the assembly into place.

PINKBIKE · 08-05-2008, 03:13 PM

Thank you for posting the picture ,sure looks great tucked in there...nice and safe,If I drill out my rivets in the belly pan what are the chances the weld nuts are already there? or is it futile to try and install there without knowing if I have the factory setup underneath the belly skin ...Thanks !!

easyride · 08-05-2008, 05:41 PM

My 77 Overlander does not have the space under the bow for the spare , even though my 73 does. Can I just cut it out ,add a water proofing,make bracket and put spare there.Owners manuel says I don`t need a spare, I can run on 3 wheels. Dave

Dan@LED4RV · 08-06-2008, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by easyride

Can I just cut it out ,add a water proofing,make bracket and put spare there.
Dave

Dave Yes you can cut it out and put a tire rack like this one........

Spare Tire Rack.

Or design something like 87MH did.

It will need to be sealed under there. Whenever we have done it here in the shop, we have cut a piece of metal screwed it to the floor then sealed.

Yes you can run on three wheels, but I would only do it for a short distance. I would be afraid the extra pressure would make the other tire on that side go.

Also, having the spare will allow you to be able to get your unit to a place where getting it fixed won't be so expensive. You know how it is, when your out there on the road.

Dan

easyride · 08-06-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan4odm

Dave Yes you can cut it out and put a tire rack like this one........

Spare Tire Rack.

Or design something like 87MH did.

It will need to be sealed under there. Whenever we have done it here in the shop, we have cut a piece of metal screwed it to the floor then sealed.

Yes you can run on three wheels, but I would only do it for a short distance. I would be afraid the extra pressure would make the other tire on that side go.

Also, having the spare will allow you to be able to get your unit to a place where getting it fixed won't be so expensive. You know how it is, when your out there on the road.

Dan

I think I`ll make my own ,I know it will be a lot cheaper. I have some black iron,a bender,and a welder,now all I need is the time and a cool day,maybe December

.Dave

GeraldVG · 08-06-2008, 06:43 PM

The spare can be removed/replaced without mussing your Sunday cloths, if you're careful. Very easy.
__________________
Gerald

Drabble · 08-18-2008, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rollerboy

We are buying it for sure !!!!! shooting to pick it up this Saturday,but not locked into that day for sure,may have to wait another week for my nerves..... it has not rolled in 5 years,and may need some on the spot work.... will keep you all posted !! Thank You All...........So may questions yet to come....

If I were picking up this trailer & towing it home on old tires, I'd splurge & take two spares with me. My reasoning is that if one old tire lets go big time after being aired up and towed, the others are not far behind. If you have a second spare, you've got a fighting chance to get to the tire store before all of the old tires self-destruct.

The voice of experience (but I ALWAYS carry 2 spares for EVERYTHING).

John Alldredge