My 2011 FC 23 has 14" Wheels - is that right?

[MSDeneen]

Our newly acquired 23 FC has 14" wheels, and that surprised me. I thought all the modern AS had 15" wheels.



Just wondering if this is correct?


Cheers,


Mark

[sfranklin]

Originally Posted by MSDeneen

Our newly acquired 23 FC has 14" wheels, and that surprised me. I thought all the modern AS had 15" wheels.



Just wondering if this is correct?


Cheers,


Mark

I would have thought so, but then saw this thread where a 23' owner wanted to move from 14 to 15.

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f43...er-116941.html

Perhaps older units were 14".

2025 states 15"

https://www.airstream.com/travel-tra...pecifications/

[MSDeneen]

Ummm, looks like it was the standard. At least for now, I will go with what is on there. Apparently, there is some advantage to bigger, but I don't actually know what it is. Until them, I'll chill.



Cheers,
Mark

[sfranklin]

Larger tires tend to have greater carrying capacity and a bit smoother ride. There is a point of diminishing return though, meaning that you could upgrade to 15", inflate the tire more, get greater tire capacity, but then on the other side of the equation, have a bit rougher ride and not be much better off than you are now, so if you went 15", you'd prob not bring the tire pressure up too much past 55lb- 60lbs based on the Goodyear chart using the 225/75/r15 specs:

https://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/rv_inflation.pdf

Going from 14 to 15 is not a small task because IIRC the 14 and 15 have different bolt patterns, meaning I don't think it's as easy as taking off the 14" and bolting on a 15" rim as a direct replacement. I could be wrong, but having briefly scanned that thread, I got the sense it's a bit more involved.

[Gene]

We switched to 15" on our 2008 Safari (the name was changed the next year to FC, same trailer). The trailer came with crappy tires and we want to go with Michelins, but they didn't make a 14" tire that worked. So we bought new 15" wheels that were better looking as well. It all worked very well.

The larger tire will mean it will be a half inch larger all around. For most trailers it fits in the cutout for the wheels and tires. But best to check on your trailer to see if they will fit.

This was a fairly common fix for the poorly made Goodyear Marathons that were put on many trailers then. The Marathons were the subject of many threads and complaints and for a while I think Airstream used Michelins on some trailers because of freuqney blowouts and other problems with the Goodyears.

[MSDeneen]

Many thanks sfranklin and GENE for your comments. I'm sitting waiting for our TT to arrive (it is being delivered by previous owner).



Once here, I'll get a proper examination of the tires. I know they are not Goodyear - I remember looking at the name and it was not a name I have ever heard before. Couple hours and I will know.


I am almost certain that I will be replacing the tires with a brand and type that I can have some confidence in.



Cheers,
Mark

[RMNummi]

The early model 23’s came w 14” Goodyear Marathons (aka “Marabombs”). My 14 23D had em. That was my first upgrade. Pearls of wisdom:
1. Don’t run out and buy tire pressure monitors till you check if you have rubber stems. The tire pressure sensors will flex the rubber stems causing slow leaks.
2. Change out your tires with Goodyear Endurance. Goodyear learned a lesson with the Marathon debacle. Endurance tires are now pretty standard across the whole AS line.
3. Your early model 23 will take 15” rims and tires. I needed to trim about 1/2” of the forward passenger wheel well housing with a grinder for the larger wheel and tires.
4. Always always get metal stems (for the TPMS you will eventually get.
5. Smaller tires run warmer than larger heat is your enemy.
6. Smaller tires cause more vibration in your trailer. Less rubber “meat” to handle road imperfections.
7. Most importantly, if they are “off” brand tires, PO probably skimped by buying “china bombs” these are the cheapies that are out there lurking to entice you by price. Change them first thing to a good name brand tire.
8. If you’re hunting for 14” tire replacements you might as well take the opportunity to swap out the 14” Sendel rims for 15” Sendel rims. Sendel rims not very expensive, last I checked about 170 or so for T03’s. Most name brand tirre mfg. are exiting the 14” tire space for larger. Go check out tiresize.com to check your options.


Ask me how I know the above…. Been there done that. Oh yeah, make sure PI left you with tire changing gear. Again ask me how I know.

[CapriRacer]

Be sure to check the vehicle tire placard. It should be located on the driver's side front corner - outside. It will give you the original tire size and the specified pressure for that size.

Many trailers of that era didn't have enough load carrying capacity in their tires, hence the many instances of the upgrade to 15". You can use the same pressure on the upgrade as on the placard and you won't suffer any increase in ride harshness.

[field & stream]

Originally Posted by Gene

We switched to 15" on our 2008 Safari (the name was changed the next year to FC, same trailer). The trailer came with crappy tires and we want to go with Michelins, but they didn't make a 14" tire that worked. So we bought new 15" wheels that were better looking as well. It all worked very well.

The larger tire will mean it will be a half inch larger all around. For most trailers it fits in the cutout for the wheels and tires. But best to check on your trailer to see if they will fit.

This was a fairly common fix for the poorly made Goodyear Marathons that were put on many trailers then. The Marathons were the subject of many threads and complaints and for a while I think Airstream used Michelins on some trailers because of freuqney blowouts and other problems with the Goodyears.

We had the same trailer and switched to 15”, for the same reasons.


One significant point: the 23’ Airstream - as the smallest double axle trailer — has less weight per wheel and axle than any other model.

[ckronvall]

To add on a bit to the above. Our 2008 Safari 23FB came with 15" tires (we're the 4th owner) and we've had not problems with one minor exception. Changed out the tires while travelling in FL. 2 days later ran over a nail and had to have the spare put on--turns out the previous owner had left a 14" tire as a spare. Made for an interesting drive to the nearest Discount Tire (2+ hours) for the warranty replacement. Also learned that it is a different fit for the 15" in the spare carrier. Have to have the trailer tongue jack lift it up a bit to access the spare. This has led me to consider a lift kit, but I haven't gotten too far on that project.

[MSDeneen]

The trailer has landed!



Ok, regarding tires: What on there has great tread, and the size matches the tire placard on the trailer.



I am attaching some pics I took of the tire brand, size, etc. They are probably from some foreign country. "Greenbelt" brand.


See pics - and many thanks for all the great tips and comments!



Cheers,
Mark

[Wazbro]

CHECK THE DATE CODE ON THE TIRES.
It is actually rare to need to replace trailer tires due to tread ware, normally they should be replaced due to age anything over 5 years should be replaced, especially if that is the age of the tires when you get the trailer.

5 years is the amount most say, a few say 7 years others as little as 3 years. The closer the tires are to weight rating the sooner they should be replaced.

[MSDeneen]

Date code is 1219. December 2019. Just over 5 years old.



Looks like new tires will be needed.



If I stay with the 14" is there a brand of tire that is trusted, preferred by the Air Bros?



Cheers,
Mark

[RMNummi]

OEM on most is Goodyear Endurance. After their Marathon debacle they addressed the weaknesses and now it’s pretty much the benchmark for all TTs.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by MSDeneen

Date code is 1219. December 2019. Just over 5 years old.



Looks like new tires will be needed.



If I stay with the 14" is there a brand of tire that is trusted, preferred by the Air Bros?



Cheers,
Mark

Not quite 1219 is the twelfth week of 2019 or March 2019, so almost 6 years old. Yeah, even with knowing the history of the tires time to replace.

Goodyear Endurance is pretty much the go to tires.

[sfranklin]

Tires need to be replaced for sure. Maxxis or Goodyear Endurance would be my choice, though some swear by Carlisle. The Goodyear does have a bit better capacity than both the Maxxis and the Carlisle tire line at the 215/75/r14 size tire that might allow you to run slightly lower psi for a softer ride.

The greenball tires however have some really mixed reviews, so I'd prob avoid that brand at all cost from what I read online from folks that have them.

Of course this link below is to a boat forum, but the general idea overall was that Greenball is a cheap tire that has more than it's share of issues.

https://www.thehulltruth.com/trucks-...ler-tires.html

[MSDeneen]

As always - great comments and advice.



Still fixing the electric jack and charging batteries and adjusting hitch. I'm going to price out the 15" wheel conversion and then decide what to do on tires.



Cheers!
Mark

[JCWDCW]

Our 2012 23FB International has 14” wheels. 6000 lb trailer gets by with load ratings of 14 inch tires

[dbdreams]

The 15 inch wheels & tires became standard in 2017 for the 23s, along with larger brakes, std backup camera, inverter and better curtains ~ shades.
We were looking at a used 23D but the larger brakes wheels and tires, a few more things std AND only about $3000 more than the 4 year old used one, we bought a new 2017 23D. We like that layout so much that when we had to replace it we bought a 2019 23CB. we did look at a 25 rear bed and 28RB but in the end decided the 23CB was still the right trailer for us.

[60R]

Not having read all answers. The solution is replace 14" wheels and tires with new Sendel 5 hole wheels and 15" Goodyear Endurance tires. I did this at Discount Tire on my previous 2014 23D. No issues. Higher speed rating is the big plus.