A/S Tire selection - 225/75/15E HELP

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

Here's my damage costs

16" Michelin blowout repairs $17345.18 not including new tires

15" blowouts $0
So far, the 15" ST tires are costing me a whole lot less. I've only run the 16"Michelin for 2 years or only 60000 miles..... I'm in the camp of not so happy campers!

Any brand will "Blowout" or more properly have a Run Low Flex Break if operated at very low inflation at highway speed. It only takes a couple of miles to destroy a tire.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by Lou De Carol

This is an over discussed topic but always one that surfaces further considerations. At tire dealers I hear all kinds of recommendations. Based on real world experience, for a 1990 25' A/S, what are your thoughts on the best choices? I hear Tow Master, Michelin, Carlyle, Marathon, etc.
Thanks in advance for your comments. Lou

Some critical information missing that would allow an informed reply.
What is the actual load on each tire? Lacking that you neet at least provide the actual load on each axle. The above loads need to be when the TT is loaded at its heaviest.

It would also be helpful if you could provide the original tire size and current size if different. Also the GAWR as provided by Airstream.

With this those with tire engineering background could provide some suggestions. Lacking this basic inf any other suggestion is not much more than a guess.

[m.hony]

Need tires now.
What say you?
Options:
1. Buy 15" Michelin MS/2 in the town where we are camping
2. Try to buy 16" wheels and Michelin LT tires
3. Put on the spare, go home, and order wheels/tires from the internet


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[FishinHatteras]

Mr. Hony,
Granted you have three choices, but IMHO, the best choice is # 3.
Be safe my friend.

Gavin

[FishinHatteras]

I have to respectfully disagree with you.

You said it yourself: "In fact, the big problem is with cut-rate manufacturers - mostly Chinese at present - who are making inferior products." Yup..a GYM IS an inferior product on a newer AS, 25' or greater. Look at the weights of the newer trailers AS is putting out 25' or better. They are getting heavier. ST tires just can't handle the larger weights with the given speed limits we have in this great country. I can't drive 55, and neither can 95% of the rest of the folks on this board.

So why do you preach that we are ALL wrong to go with a LT tire? Sorry bud...but a 14" tire, any 14" tire, is not bearing the weights that us larger AS owners are towing. You're throwing one of the best tire manufacturers, if not THE best in the ditch because of one set of tires you had from Michelin? And 14" tires at that? Your "blanket" observations about how ST tires are fine for ALL AS's, is simply not true. Michelin makes one heckuva good tire. They are built to bear the heavier weights. Get the right equipment for the job at hand. Don't hand me an adjustable wrench when I'm working on a Caterpillar. That's sending a boy, to do a mans job. Michelin LT tires can bear a large load, and at much higher speeds than an ST tire. Please don't mis-lead others to think differently. Your trailer doesn't weigh anywhere near what mine does. Be specific in your application, and the tires you choose to roll that rig down the road. Not trying to pick a fight with you, but I do wish you would understand:

We all don't live in CA where we cannot drive more than 55mph when towing.

ST tires are an excellent choice for a TT that is not bearing the higher weights the late model AS's are pushing.

"Blanket" choices for everything we pull is not the best option we have. This is America, and we LOVE choices.
Sea ya down the road.
Gavin

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Need tires now.
What say you?
Options:
1. Buy 15" Michelin MS/2 in the town where we are camping
2. Try to buy 16" wheels and Michelin LT tires
3. Put on the spare, go home, and order wheels/tires from the internet


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Put on the spare and enjoy the rest of the trip.

When you get home, spend some time shopping for what you need and get it done in time for the next trip.

There are still a few 15" LT tire choices for you, if you don't want the expense of new wheels and tires both.

[m.hony]

I will investigate 15" LT tires, but I think I know what to do-
Go home.
Order Sendel T03 or T06 (whichever ones are factory on some Airstreams) from the internet.
Get Firestone TransForce HT 275/75T16 tires from work.
Get tire pressure monitors from the internet.
Rest easy for 5-6 years.



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[bhales]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I will investigate 15" LT tires, but I think I know what to do-
Go home.
Order Sendel T03 or T06 (whichever ones are factory on some Airstreams) from the internet.
Get Firestone TransForce HT 275/75T16 tires from work.
Get tire pressure monitors from the internet.
Rest easy for 5-6 years.
?

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275? Really? I thought they would be too tall.

[m.hony]

Typo-
What I meant was 225/75.
I can't find load range E in 15", so my quest is for 16" Sendel wheels like the new Airstreams have.


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[m.hony]

Can't find LT 15" tires-
Sendel T03 16" wheel unavailable-
Get a different wheel? There is a Sendel 16" wheel that looks just like the 15" wheels on the trailer- Series4?


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[m.hony]

Or get the T03 without the black inlay?
Or just get some 10 ply ST tires?


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[Wayward]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Need tires now. What say you?
Options:
1. Buy 15" Michelin MS/2 in the town where we are camping
2. Try to buy 16" wheels and Michelin LT tires
3. Put on the spare, go home, and order wheels/tires from the internet

I put these Firestone LE2 235/75R15 on yesterday for about $500. They fit fine and have a 2200lb rating. It is a popular tire so nearby dealers should have it in stock.

Here are some pics and specs.......
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...ml#post1673279

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Need tires now.
What say you?
Options:
1. Buy 15" Michelin MS/2 in the town where we are camping
2. Try to buy 16" wheels and Michelin LT tires
3. Put on the spare, go home, and order wheels/tires from the internet


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Hi, m.hony; You are on so many tire threads that I don't know which one that I posted on. My Carlisles are the latest and greatest, so they are supposed to be much better than previous Carlisles. But My trailer only has a GVWR of 6,300 lbs. These size tires and wheels are too small, in my opinion, for a 30'er like yours.

I neglected to see what trailer you have when I mentioned my Carlisles. I was only paying attention to your tire and wheel size, because they are the same as mine.

[Ron A]

Has anyone had experience with MAXXIS ST Tires. Thought I might try those next tire change.


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[bhales]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Typo-
What I meant was 225/75.
I can't find load range E in 15", so my quest is for 16" Sendel wheels like the new Airstreams have.


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Thanks for clarifying. I have made up my mind in the T03 wheels and 225/75/16 tires for my 73 Overlander and for a minute I thought I overlooked something.

[Ampman]

Originally Posted by Ron A

Has anyone had experience with MAXXIS ST Tires. Thought I might try those next tire change.


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I just got out of the set of Maxxis 8008 ST's I bought four years ago when I got the trailer. Thought they would be the best for the money for a 15" ST tire. On the way home in July one of them decided to become a bike tire. The normally flat surface was like a rounded crown all the way around. Fortunately it was discovered before it blew up. Guess the thing was separating inside. Air pressure was good and the tire looked fine when we left that morning. Got a different replacement at a Discount Tire in Roswell NM just to get home. I don't like traveling without a spare. No charge because I had the tire replacement certificate. I got about 20k and four seasons of hot southwest travel out of them. Not too bad for an ST tire I guess. Once I got home I got the 16" Sendel T03 wheels and Michelin LTX MS2 tires. If they will last five seasons then I will be happy. If not, I'm sure Discount Tire will sell me some more.

[Ampman]

There is some new tech in the Carlisle ST tire. Interesting reading but don't know much about the history because they are new. Something about heat dissipation in the design or something like that. I was thinking about those before I went to the 16" option. If I hadn't made a ton of extra money fighting the Memorial Day floods here I probably would have gone that route. Hopefully those Carlisle tires will work out for those still running 15's.

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by Ampman

I just got out of the set of Maxxis 8008 ST's I bought four years ago when I got the trailer. Thought they would be the best for the money for a 15" ST tire. On the way home in July one of them decided to become a bike tire. The normally flat surface was like a rounded crown all the way around. Fortunately it was discovered before it blew up. Guess the thing was separating inside. Air pressure was good and the tire looked fine when we left that morning. Got a different replacement at a Discount Tire in Roswell NM just to get home. I don't like traveling without a spare. No charge because I had the tire replacement certificate. I got about 20k and four seasons of hot southwest travel out of them. Not too bad for an ST tire I guess. Once I got home I got the 16" Sendel T03 wheels and Michelin LTX MS2 tires. If they will last five seasons then I will be happy. If not, I'm sure Discount Tire will sell me some more.

My Goodyear Puff-up-athons and a set of Carlisles did the same thing-
Apparently ST tires just ain't it-


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[Ron A]

Thank you Ampman for your feedback on MAXXIS ST Tires.


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[Ampman]

Originally Posted by Ron A

Thank you Ampman for your feedback on MAXXIS ST Tires.


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No problem. I think I read somewhere that ST tires are only good for three or four seasons anyway so the Maxxis actually did ok for me. If I get reincarnated I hope I don't have to come back as a trailer tire. Tough life.