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perryg114 · 08-31-2012, 10:30 AM

Well the things that make ST tires good for most trailers make them bad for Airstreams. Airstreams have a low center of gravity and also have a structural need for a softer ride. Car radials are going to to provide good traction and a smooth ride. 80psi in any tire, especially a bias ply tire is going to shake an Airstream to pieces. Axels will only absorb low frequency stuff like bumps and cracks in the road dips etc. Tires are going to absorb the high frequency stuff like when you go over wash board speed bumps. A stiff tire = bad ride and no traction because of less contact patch.

Perry

purman · 08-31-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcamedies

The only reason for using LT tires is they are cheaper to get, but scary on a trailer

.

Guess you haven't priced them have you

perryg114 · 08-31-2012, 10:33 AM

Tires are going through the roof. I just spent $1000 on tires for my Excursion.

Perry

sierrafun · 08-31-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

When many of us went to 16" Michelins there were no properly sized Michelins in 15" in Load Range D or E.

This new tire system of Passenger tires with 3 subclasses, the XL being one of them, has everyone confused. They started putting P tires on light trucks and SUV's several years ago and that caused confusion too.

Are the XL P tires the same as the LT tires? I haven't figured this out yet.

Gene

Hi Gene,

I just completed this research and in answer to your question, NO, the XL P tires are NOT the same as the LT tires. The XL P tires are Passenger tires (that is what the "P" stands for) and NOT appropriate for trailer use.

After doing some research and driving to a dealer lot, I was able to determine the exact tires that Airstream is using on the Eddie Bauer models (both 25FB and 27FB). And I can assure you they are NOT XL P model tires!

Hope this helps you!

purman · 08-31-2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryg114

Tires are going through the roof. I just spent $1000 on tires for my Excursion.

Perry

YEP, just spent over a $1000 on our Sequoia a month ago, (Stupid 17" wheels.)

and then last week another $1000 for the trailer tires. IT's crazy..

perryg114 · 08-31-2012, 11:21 AM

Load is load is load, I am not worried about ST, LT, P–etc. The rated load is all I am concerned about for an Airstream. The Airstream has a low center of gravity and does not need stiff sidewalls. If I were towing a 25 ft tall 5th wheel with a very high center of gravity and high wind cross section, I might be concerned. My engineering spidy sense tells me most of the tire rating game is BS. I want to see data showing increased sway and decreased stability with P tires versus ST tires. I don’t think the data exists. The movie of a Porshe pulling an Airstream through a slalom course is good enough for me. I think that a lot of these tire ratings are very subjective like the truck towing capacities.

Perry

3campers · 08-31-2012, 12:50 PM

At the beginning of the season I installed 4 Michelin P235/ 75/ R15 (LTX M/S) (108T Extra Load) tires. I run them at 50 psi and have had no problems at all with them (knock on wood) They have a max load of 2183 lb. I realize they are truck tires so I do watch my turns to make sure I don't go too tight...

Doug C · 09-01-2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top

Doug,
Here are the specs for the Michelin LTX M/S2. They are rated at 2,183 pounds at 50 psi. The old Michelin LTX M/S LT235/75/15 load range C are no longer in production. They may still be in some tire warehouses. How old they are is anyone's guess. My local tire guy told me last week that he could get four for me.
The LTX M/S2 P235/75/15 XL is the new version of the older LTX M/S LT235/75/15. You would have to call Michelin and ask them the differences.

The local dealer and some internet sites list the capacity of the LTX M/S2 P235-75-15 108T at 1985 pounds. Does it say 2183 pounds right on the tires? If they actually can carry 2183, I'd have a lot more reserve carrying capacity. I've got to have tires on within a week so I'll have to make a decision pretty soon. I'm leaning toward these Michelins.

**DKB_SATX** · 09-01-2012, 09:06 PM

Michelin says load index 108 means 1000 kg (2200 lb)

TireRack says 2185 for the specific tire (look here and click the Specs tab)

In this overall definition of load indexes TireRack says 108 is good for 2205 lb.

Discount Tire lists the same 2205 lb for 108 load index, as does Firestone.

Lance M · 09-01-2012, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug C

The local dealer and some internet sites list the capacity of the LTX M/S2 P235-75-15 108T at 1985 pounds. Does it say 2183 pounds right on the tires? If they actually can carry 2183, I'd have a lot more reserve carrying capacity. I've got to have tires on within a week so I'll have to make a decision pretty soon. I'm leaning toward these Michelins.

It says "max load 2183lbs at 50 psi" on my tires.

perryg114 · 09-02-2012, 12:25 PM

I think the 1985lb is the derated value of the 2185. Your supposed to derate the load rating by 10% if you use a P rated tire on a high profile vehicle like an SUV or RV. I don't know how you classify an Airstream since it has a low center of gravity. You get 1986lb if you devide 2185 by 1.1. If it is already rated for LT use then 2185 is a good number.

You won't have any problems with any tire rated 108T or an XL rating. My trailer tops out at 7000lbs and I am having no issues.

Perry

3campers · 09-02-2012, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug C

The local dealer and some internet sites list the capacity of the LTX M/S2 P235-75-15 108T at 1985 pounds. Does it say 2183 pounds right on the tires? If they actually can carry 2183, I'd have a lot more reserve carrying capacity. I've got to have tires on within a week so I'll have to make a decision pretty soon. I'm leaning toward these Michelins.

Yes it says it right on the tire!!!