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Lance M · 03-25-2011, 10:21 PM

OK I know this has the possibility to get heated. Please be nice.

I am a die hard Michelin fan. I am considering using the tires listed above on my '72 Ambassador Abby. She is a 29' GVWR of #7,700 (with new #3,500 axles). Have any of you great folks out there installed this tire on your trailer? If so, are there any fitment problems?
The good,
The Bad,
The Ugly
Thanks in advance for your candor.

Wayne&Sam · 03-26-2011, 04:46 AM

Why 235 and not 225? I think most folks are using 225.

Was that nice enough?

overlander63 · 03-26-2011, 04:59 AM

A friend of mine is using the LTX tires on his Airstream. He's had them on for a couple of years now, and they seem to be holding up very well.
I would check to see if the 235 will fit up in the wheelwell, other than that they should work. His trailer weighs a bit more than yours.

Road Ruler · 03-26-2011, 06:30 AM

This post may interest you re Michelin P235's....

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...eam-74869.html

We replaced the white lettered Michelins with P235X75X15XL's and they have been working great for many years now. The load rating is 2,165 per tire. They do fit in the wheel well but you do need to do some wiggling to get them on.

Note the 225's would be a better size.

Lance M · 03-26-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

Why 235 and not 225? I think most folks are using 225.

Was that nice enough?

Yes that was nice enough. 235 because that is the only 15" size they come in with XL rating.

Phoenix · 03-26-2011, 09:35 AM

If you haven't already thought of it, you might want to consider switching to 16-inch wheels. This will give you a lot broader selection of load range D and E LT tires to choose from, including several Michelins. I think these might fit better, since (depending on which you select) they are closer to the original tire diameter and width. However, adding new wheels can add significantly to the total cost.

There are lots of other posts on this subject, if you haven't already read them...

Lance M · 03-26-2011, 10:16 AM

Thanks Phoenix. I have read most of the 16" LT tire threads. The only problem with the 16" wheels is I can't use the original hub caps. I also have a goal to not put anything made in China on or in my trailer. That makes the 16" wheel selection very small.

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Phoenix · 03-26-2011, 11:56 AM

Since the 80's when a signficant portion of the US manufacturing moved offshore, it's really difficult to find products made other than in the far east. I know that the Michelin XPS Ribs we recently purchased were made in Germany, but the wheels were made in China. It's just hard to convince consumers that cheapest isn't always best. There must be a wheel manufacturer left in the USA, but even the OEM alloy wheels that came on our 2005 Bambi were made in China.

slowmover · 03-26-2011, 01:28 PM

My 34' Silver Streak [GVWR 8k] wound up with a set of 7.00x15 YOKOHAMA RY215 with which we were very pleased. An LT tire. Size is also listed as 7R-15 (as on Tire Rack). Balanced with minimal weight. I'm no slouch in the "loves Michelin" department, but this alternative was great.

I ordered through DISCOUNT TIRE (who bought through Tire Rack) and mounted with Centramatic balancers. A great combo. As a side note, even looks more like the bias tires of the 1970's. Zero squirm even in full-lock u-turns on fresh concrete. I found a new commercial warehouse zone on a weekend and went to test this. Left some tire black was all.

Lance M · 03-26-2011, 01:31 PM

Actually, I would prefer any tire made in Germany over any other country. Germans don't skimp on quality, from what I can tell. I lived in Germany for nine years. They have a higher standard for anything that goes on the road. I believe that Alcoa makes a 16" rim that will fit an Airstream. I'm not positive it is made in the USA, however.

ticki2 · 03-27-2011, 05:53 AM

I have been using that size in a BF Goodrich TA commercial for many years , unfortunately BFG no longer makes this tire in the 15" size . I will go with the Michelin next time . Two sets have performed flawlessly with no fitment problem. I wanted to stay with my original 15" aluminum wheels and the XL tires seem to be the solution . Good luck

txairlover · 04-17-2011, 03:52 PM

Top,
Did you bite the bullet and go with the Michelin's? If you did, how do you like them so far?

Lance M · 04-17-2011, 04:46 PM

I haven't bought new tires yet. I still have about a month of work on Abby before ill need to worry about tires.

Bill M. · 04-20-2011, 01:38 PM

I have had a set of the Michlen's (the Sears ones) on my 25', 1988 Excells for the last 3 years. Load range C, 50 psi, 1985 lbs per tire. my trailer puts 5800 lbs on the wheels when loaded to go. I have about 40000 miles on this set. no problems. Lots of gravel roads on the Alaska trip.

Lance M · 04-21-2011, 03:43 PM

I'm kinda kicking around the idea of Continental Vanco 2 in 225/70/15 load range D

They are probably a bit shorter than the Nanco 7.00x15s that are on her now, but I have new axles, so the ride height should be about the same.

Foiled Again · 05-09-2011, 07:12 AM

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...s-72697-3.html

Post 29 - I converted to 16" wheels and Michelins last weekend. One one problem... kinda funny in a way. After the fact, and a long shower I saw the funny side.

Paual

my3sonsdad · 06-25-2011, 10:52 AM

Top,
Which did you purchase? I'm considering the MS2/235/75/15XL for a 72 Safari, but concerned about fit in the wheel well.

Lance M · 06-25-2011, 12:21 PM

I have not bought new tires for our Ambassador yet. I think I'm leaning toward the Yokohama RY215. They seem to be a better match in width and diameter to the original equipment 7.00x15 bias ply truck tires. I have had good experiences with Yokohama tires in the past.

slowmover · 06-29-2011, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top

I have not bought new tires for our Ambassador yet. I think I'm leaning toward the Yokohama RY215. They seem to be a better match in width and diameter to the original equipment 7.00x15 bias ply truck tires. I have had good experiences with Yokohama tires in the past.

I ordered mine through DISCOUNT TIRE who in turn bought them from TIRE RACK. Installed with CENTRAMATICs. (A pic in signature link; post #23; trailer weight would have been just over 7,000-lbs that day).

r carl · 06-29-2011, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top

I have not bought new tires for our Ambassador yet. I think I'm leaning toward the Yokohama RY215. They seem to be a better match in width and diameter to the original equipment 7.00x15 bias ply truck tires. I have had good experiences with Yokohama tires in the past.

You will love those tires, built very well, heavy duty, and will look good on your older trailer.