More Tires - D/E

[Al - K4GLU]

There has been considerable discussion on the list about running "E" load range tires on Airstreams. Several people led by Andy of Inland RV claim that the "E" tires will beat your trailer up. Well I'm at Jackson Center and Airstream now offers "E" load range tires as a option. The "E" tires they're selling are Towmax ST225/75R15. Price is $113.00 plus mounting/balance.

And they are now offering 16" optional tires/wheels. These are also "E" load range and the tires are Good Year Wrangler HT LT225/75R16. They're selling the tire/wheel combo for $299.00.

So either Airstream is saying that "E" tires are OK or they're trying to get us to beat up our trailers so maybe they'll get more repair work. Since I'm not a dealer and am not trying to sell anything I hope mentioning the prices is acceptable.

[moosetags]

I'm glad to hear that news from Jackson Center. They really needed to do something along that line. The OEM Marathons were junk.

As far as E's being too harsh, I now have run Lucy almost 40,000 miles on two sets of Maxxis E's, and she is not falling apart or any the worse for wear. She also has not had three blowouts as she did with the OEM Marathons within 12,000 miles from new.

Brian

[jcanavera]

Obviously someone is following the threads here........

[davidz71]

I've been running Maxxis ST225-75-15 on Greenball aluminum rims for almost 3,000 miles now (purchased 5/08). They are load range D and I run them around 62-63 psi. They have been great tires which replaced Goodyear Marathon C load tires. I haven't weighed my 25' Sovereign lately but do not run with more than a couple gallons of water in black/graywater tanks to keep things sloshing around and cleaning.

[Action]

Does Airstream offer "E" rated tires on all models? Or just some?

>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[dpandorf]

Marathons "D" range for close to 20k. I keep them at 50 - 55 psi since my trailer weighs 7500 lbs all hooked up and rotate religiously. Plus I think the Centramatics might help too.

[lynn]

The Service Center is offering the tire options,not the production facility. They indicated this was due to some customer requests.

[kennethowens]

An E-Range tire does not have to be filled with the 80 lbs
MAX that they could hold....but if they are filled with MAX
pressure..........they do get VERY STIFF.

[moosetags]

I run my Maxxis E's at 72 psi.

Brian

[kennethowens]

I run E's at about 68-70....do just fine.

[Beginner]

According to what I could find:
Service Description 115Q
Speed Rating Q (99 MPH)
Load Range E
Max Load 2680 LBS at 80 PSI
Max Width 8.8 in
OD 29.3 in
According to these specs they should do just fine. I will however stick to my Michelins (Goodrich Commercial T/As)
I have written two emails to Airstream asking the question:
Are you required by the Federal Acquisition Regulations to install the ST tire on new trailers.
They refuse to respond. HMMM
Beginner

[Pahaska]

I run my Maxxis E's at 70# in the summer to reduce heat and let them go down to about 65# in cooler weather. In four years, I have seen no trailer damage.

I did have one Maxxis fail due to a slipped internal belt that caused the tire to expand around the middle of the tread such that it was round across the tread like a bicycle tire. It expanded so much that it was difficult to get out of the wheel well.

I came to mistrust the Marathons when one blew out just a few miles after I had checked pressures and condition of the tires. A friend just had a Marathon disintegrate and damage his trailer to the tune of several thousand dollars. It was still holding air with the tread completely loose from the carcass. Several other unit members lost Marathons this summer on recent model Airstreams; one lost two in short succession.

[mwells4654]

So the tire woes continue - I still do not know what to do - I need tires and wheels but I do not think I want to go to 16". I see no reason for the taller tire. I will continue to follow the threads an buy when I have to. TT is just setting at the moment - I am checking out the 8 track, changing out the speakers and installing a AM/FM cassette with input jack so I can listen to almost any kind of media. Got too much to do this winter.

[Beginner]

The ONLY reason for going to the 16 rim is to have access to tires that have a respectable speed rating.
The Commercial T/A LT225/75R16LRE, Michelin XPS LT225/75R16LRE, and the Goodyear Wrangler all are about the same Outside Diameter as the 7.00-15 that came on the older trailers and the same max width as the Marathon ST22575R15. Just don't put 80 PSI the Load Range E tire.
Beginner

[handn]

Zero problems (tire and trailer) with E Maxxis at 75 pounds on a 25 foot Safari. I have gone about 25,000 miles about half of the miles in Mexico with rough roads.
I have logged about a third of the miles in hot weather.
I switched to load range E tires when four of the original Marathons and their replacements blew out all on hot days on long road trips.

[Gene]

There's more information about this at this thread: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...ari-51030.html

I've called Michelin, Dexter Axle and Airstream to get more information and posted it on that thread.

Clearance for 16" wheels and tires is different for different Airstreams, so if you are thinking of changing, check tire sites for diameter of tires compared to OEM tires, measure space to cut out and between tires, do it several more times, and then measure again. You wouldn't want to spend $1,000 or more on Michelin LTX or RBS tires and new wheels and not have them fit. And, don't forget you'll need 5 wheels and tires.

Gene

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by handn

Zero problems (tire and trailer) with E Maxxis at 75 pounds on a 25 foot Safari. I have gone about 25,000 miles about half of the miles in Mexico with rough roads.
I have logged about a third of the miles in hot weather.
I switched to load range E tires when four of the original Marathons and their replacements blew out all on hot days on long road trips.

Please keep us posted on the progress of your Maxxis E's. With almost 28,000 miles on our first set of Maxxis E's, two of the tires suffered the type of tread separation as described Pahaska in Post #12. They started looking like bicycle tires. I replaced all four with Maxxis E's again at that time.

Brian