Joined the LT tire movement

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by sandlapper

When you mail order tires, how do you know they will be fresh and not already "old"?? Is there some way to check the dates??

Thanks..

John

I'm not sure on that aspect. All you can do in some cases is ask folks for their experience. My Michelin's from Discount Tire Direct were around 6 weeks old.

Jack

[Ramble On]

I decided to go with the Michelin LTX M/S 2 LT225/75 16E. NTB had the best price locally $214.99 + tax - $70.00 rebate out the door. The rebate expires tomorrow. Much to my surprise, NTB's website states "Michelin's best-selling light truck tire. It can shoulder heavy loads and support trailers, while giving long wear and true all-season traction." If a national reseller of tires and Airstream itself say it's OK, then I am satisfied that I have made the right decision. In my mind, end of debate.

http://www.ntb.com/tires/sku-detail/...uId=sku1220131

[MaxTow]

Originally Posted by polarlyse

Are we confidant whether or not the 15" LT tires have an adaquete load rating to handle the 30'ers. I've read some threads on the changeover to LT tires but I'm confused as to if they will handle the load without having to go to 16"ers. Maybe someday but not interested in going that route right now.

Once you derate the Michelin LTX tires as per DOT guidelines, then the rating is less than half the axle rating for my 30' (2005 Safari LS Bunkhouse) - but more than adequate for the weight as measured on the scales.

I've not heard of any issues with the LTX tires on this same model of AS.

The tires were well recommended by Andy T at CanAm RV -

[Ridgerunner3]

Originally Posted by Captain Hank

Sandlapper,

There is a date code on every tire. Look on the sidewall by the DOT number and the code will be the week and year the tire was made. (Ex: 4912)

A few days ago I ordered Michelin 15" LTX MS2 tires from Tirerack and had the same concern because in the past I had a bad experience with Discount Tire Direct shipping me ST tires that were 18 months old. It you call Tirerack they will tell you the age of tires they recently shipped that are the same brand and size you are interested in.

When my new tires arrived the age information provided by Tirerack was accurate.

[SafariSS]

Originally Posted by MaxTow

Once you derate the Michelin LTX tires as per DOT guidelines, then the rating is less than half the axle rating for my 30' (2005 Safari LS Bunkhouse) - but more than adequate for the weight as measured on the scales.

I've not heard of any issues with the LTX tires on this same model of AS.

The tires were well recommended by Andy T at CanAm RV -

I have a Safari 30 also and the gvwr is 8400, derated the 15" michelins should bring you in right at 8k. I have 5 kids and have never weighed more than 7670 lbs and that is full of water. Should be fine on the bunkhouse

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by JamuJoe

Installation on the trailer was easy using a Camco Trailer Aid 21 Tandem Tire Changing Ramp - much easier than using a bottle jack.

Would you look closely at that ramp to see if has an expiration date stamped on it somewhere? I know the Camco wheel chocks do. That would be a lot lighter than the wood ramp that I carry with me.

[polarlyse]

Thanks Max for summing that up. I think I'm good for this season but perhaps by next year I'll be looking to upgrade the rubber. I have good service with the Michelins on my truck and would likely stick with them for the trailer too.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Ramble On

I just ordered 4 Sendel T03 66655st wheels from Tredit and will pickup tomorrow. Now the tougher debate as to which LT tire to match to these wheels. I have narrowed my choices to either Michelin or Bridgestone.

Michelin LTX M/S 2 $245.00 29.2 dia 38.2 lbs

Duravis R250
(steel casing) $223.00 29.4 dia 52 lbs

Duravis M895
(steel casing) $225.00 29.4 dia 53 lbs

Duravis R500 HD 183.00 29.2 dia 41 lbs


Any opinions or suggestions?

Of these, the r250 as it has shown excellent performance for commercial operators of hotshot / LTL equipment. None are bad choices, per se. The BFG Commercial T/A (a slight step down, but we don't run high miles with RV's) is my second choice.

.

[Westfalia]

Also taking the plunge. Getting the Sendel T07 Black Machined rims, Michellin LTX and adding Dill TPMS sensors. Should be a significant upgrade.

[Ramble On]

I got a decent price on the the Michelin LTX m/s 2 plus a rebate, so I went for it. The manager of the tire store said that this was a popular tire for trailers and they sell alot of them for that application. His opinion of ST tires was "JUNK", just confirming that my decision was the right one. At least one national retailer of tires is on board with using LT tires for trailers.

[Ramble On]

Originally Posted by Westfalia

Also taking the plunge. Getting the Sendel T07 Black Machined rims, Michellin LTX and adding Dill TPMS sensors. Should be a significant upgrade.

I guess I should have looked into TPMS prior to having tires mounted. Let us know how the Dill system works out. I think I need to establish a budget, things are getting out of hand. An Andersen hitch is next on the list.

[Westfalia]

It's not a cheap extra, but neither is blowing a hole thru the side of your wheel well. There is another system that I have discovered that has external flow thru sensors that screw on to the valve stems, provided that you have metal valve stems. It might be worth looking at:

New User Replaceable Bat - Truck System Technologies, Inc

[Moflash]

I have run the Dill system for two years and it works great for me.
Cheap insurance and peace of mind.Gives real time temp and pressure.
Sensors sleep when not in use extending battery life of sensors.

[dkottum]

Just noticed Airstream2GO website photos, the Airstream rental company in LA and Las Vegas has the "Eddie Bauer" 16" wheel/tire option on their fleet of Airstream Internationals.

Not to mention two air conditioners on a 23FB as well as a 28.


doug k

[SafariSS]

Wow...2 Acs on a 23!

[interstateflyer]

Just returned from a 3 week, 2700 mile trip to the Pacific Northwest from Central California. The Michelin LTX M/S 2 LT225/75 16Es on SenDel T02s performed flawlessly on the International 19.

I ran them at 80 pounds cold most of the time. Tried 75 pounds in the cooler NWest for an easier ride for the AS. We had lost 4 curb side interior rivets on some brutal truck lanes in the SF bay Area. I suspect that 80psi exasperated that situation. What I did notice though was that tire temps on my infra red pyrometer were higher (8-10 degrees F) with 75psi. 80psi kept the temps almost identical to the truck's rears.

The 1/2 inch height increase of the wheels actually caused the trailer to tow perfectly level......a result that we were struggling for with the Husky WD system.

[dznf0g]

Interesting...I have noted no difference in temp nor pressure rise between 70, 75, and 80 psi. I'm running 70 psi right now. Ant the AS tires always run a little hotter with a bit more rise than the truck tires. AS tires run between 117 and 128* depending on ambients.

[BAB]

I've found that dropping down to 72 psi seems to work well on my rig. I follow the pressure and temp with the Dill carefully, and there've been a few instances where I've been on some washboard roads where an 80 lb psi would have whipped the cream in my fridge.

[Moflash]

I run 70 lbs cold on my 28 ft

[pappy19]

The temps on my new Michaelin LT's haven't gone over 80 degrees even with ambient going over 100, very cool. Handling, sway and ride are so much better than with the ST's, it isn't even close.