Larger Wheels and Tires

[DesertWolf]

I was at my Airstream dealer today and noticed a very expensive rig that was totally built out by the dealer. Massive solar, decals, upholstery, black trim annnd standard lift with very instanced wheels and tires.

The dealer fit 245/75r16 on new 16x8 (unknown offset, they wouldn’t tell me) … it looked good and a nice height to match my lifted Jeep Gladiator …

I think I’ve read EVERY wheel and tire thread on this forum, no one has gotten close to this size of tire … yet.

Anyways, I’m due for tires and thinking of cloning what my dealer did, but with 15’s.

Before I go buy a 15x8 (zero offset) wheel and a 30x9.50r15 tire (standard equivalent to the metric 245/75r16, a tad smaller in all dimensions) to try on… anyone have any advice?

My main objective is getting my rig a little higher to avoid dragging the butt and putting a bit more air and rubber to smoothen out the harsh road in my airstream (I gotta about 5 interior rivets I still need to replace) and of course look cool 😎 …

Otherwise, I was just going to pick up a set of 235/75r15 and keep the stock wheels… as we know this is the same diameter and only 10mm or so wider than the factory Michelin 225/75r16.

Disclaimer: I am being mindful of load ratings, I have a 2017 23D, so I am fairly light for the dual axles.

[DesertWolf]

… I might add; I did not see any modifications to the wheel wells …

[sfranklin]

Originally Posted by DesertWolf

… I might add; I did not see any modifications to the wheel wells …

Most likely because it was lifted.

[10Smiles]

Personally, I like the look. I have never seen anything but aluminum colored wheels on Airstreams (except the steel wheels they used to have). I've often wondered what other colored wheels would look like on them. Looks good to me. ��

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by 10Smiles

Personally, I like the look. I have never seen anything but aluminum colored wheels on Airstreams (except the steel wheels they used to have). I've often wondered what other colored wheels would look like on them. Looks good to me. ��

Black is the new chrome ...

[DesertWolf]

Originally Posted by sfranklin

Most likely because it was lifted.

I mentioned that … I went underneith and it does indeed have the Dexter lift brackets …

[Sailorjamie]

The Dexter technician/speaker at the Tennessee International rally a few years back cautioned us not to change the offset of the wheels. He expressed that the axle & bearings were designed for the current offset and the offset as being critical to how the bearings would work and wear. This was discussed in the context of the "neverlube" bearings.

(And that's all I know on the subject)

[2015 25 FB]

I put the 245/75 16 Michelin LTX ATs on a lifted 25 on a set of stock offset sendels from etrailer after researching on this forum. You might have to clip off a bit of trim with dikes. Took 30 seconds. Never hit - no problems -even in the woods and on the cross Bronx. Was towing with a lifted gladiator

Have the same setup on a classic now. (No not towing this beast with the gladiator ). Prob 7500 miles in. No issues

[DesertWolf]

Originally Posted by 2015 25 FB

I put the 245/75 16 Michelin LTX ATs on a lifted 25 on a set of stock offset sendels from etrailer after researching on this forum. You might have to clip off a bit of trim with dikes. Took 30 seconds. Never hit - no problems -even in the woods and on the cross Bronx. Was towing with a lifted gladiator

Have the same setup on a classic now. (No not towing this beast with the gladiator ). Prob 7500 miles in. No issues

I chickened out and went with a 23D for my Gladiator, I was originally shooting for a 25 footer. However, I found a great deal on a used 23D, so I am not complaining.

Did your gladiator have the gas or the diesel engine? I ended up ordering the ecodiesel and was impressed that I get better fuel mileage out of this ecodiesel than my old LJ driving to work on the highway! About 16mpg !!!

Anyways, it turns out that a 235/75r15 is the same diameter as your 225/75r16 just a half inch wider. BUT a 30x9.50r15 is just a half inch fatter and half inch wider … what the dealer fit on that rig is even a bit larger yet… I might for for the 30x9.50’s

[LNBright]

Get a lift first. After that, then consider larger tires.

[DesertWolf]

Originally Posted by LNBright

Get a lift first. After that, then consider larger tires.

I have a lift! It’s sitting on a shelf in my garage… haha. Someday I’ll throw it on.

[PB_NB]

I put some LT235/75R15 10 ply tires on my Sendel wheels. These are Falken A/T3W tires with a good load rating. They certainly fill up the wheel well on my single axle 22FB.

I like the feel of these as the trailer seems to have less roll.

I also have the Dexter axle lift on mine and use TPMS sensors too.

[AlbertF]

It’s interesting to see people using AT tires on travel trailers now. The trend seemed to start with the Forest River rPod Hood River edition.

With LT tires, there’s still a good selection of 15” all terrain tires, while the highway tread tires have just about disappeared.

[waninae39]

bad idea to get a black AC cover
white reflects heat, black absorbs it

[djarrett]

Desert Wolf - I did GoodYear Duratrac MTs (225/75R16) on my 2021 Globetrotter 25' - Rims are from Discount Tire. Just added 3" lift. Tows like a complete dream behind the Power Wagon now!
Before Lift:


After Lift:


The Rig -

[DesertWolf]

Originally Posted by djarrett

Desert Wolf - I did GoodYear Duratrac MTs (225/75R16) on my 2021 Globetrotter 25' - Rims are from Discount Tire. Just added 3" lift. Tows like a complete dream behind the Power Wagon now!
Before Lift:


After Lift:


The Rig -

That looks great! Well done … do you by chance have the wheel specs ? Width and backspace/offset?

I called my local discount tire and they don’t care what tire I put on it as long as it fits and has the proper weight rating …

[djarrett]

I believe these may be the wheels on the TradeWind you pictured in your opening post

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-whe...ys-compression

These are my wheels (shows they are discontinued, but you can still get them if you have a Discount Tire willing to do the search for you). I just ordered an extra wheel ... just in case.

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-whe...-wheels-legacy

[DesertWolf]

Originally Posted by djarrett

I believe these may be the wheels on the TradeWind you pictured in your opening post

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-whe...ys-compression

These are my wheels (shows they are discontinued, but you can still get them if you have a Discount Tire willing to do the search for you). I just ordered an extra wheel ... just in case.

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-whe...-wheels-legacy

Those aren’t the ones they put on, I’ll send it over when I’m there next. I’ll be there Thursday to take my rig in for service …

The link you shared did not provide any wheel specs, I did some digging and apperently the only 16 inch wheel I found a reference to had these specs.

Part#: 242-6884B
Finish: Gloss Black w/ Machined Face
Wheel Size: 16x8
Bolt Pattern: 6x139.7
Hub: 106.2

Can you confirm?

[2015 25 FB]

Haha. Great minds

Gladiator Was gas. Performed very well

[2015 25 FB]

Ahh I see pictures lose resolution.
Jeep was a 20 rubicon
Lift and tires made the airstreams quite level with the tow vehicles