Tire replacement questions

[Bluetick]

My 2018 Flying Cloud 27 needs new tires. They are five years old and I'm going to assume the wheels are the originals. Should I buy tires with new wheels or have the new tires put on my 7 year old wheels?

Also, I'm sure I can get a better price at a local tire shop but don't trust them to jack the trailer properly and most won't let you into the area where they change them. So I'll probably let the dealership where I store it put the new tires on and pay a little extra for peace of mind.

Lastly, I'm going to get Goodyear Endurance STs since I've had good experience with them. But if I go with new wheels should I get 205s or 225s?

[RamRider]

I just had Discount Tires install new GYE tires. to insure that they properly jacked up my AS I stood by our trailer and told them where to place the jack - the installer followed my directions and all went well including setting the proper tire pressure for my rig. You should be able to follow step by step progress with any installer. New tires are peace of mind.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Bluetick

My 2018 Flying Cloud 27 needs new tires. They are five years old and I'm going to assume the wheels are the originals. Should I buy tires with new wheels or have the new tires put on my 7 year old wheels?

Also, I'm sure I can get a better price at a local tire shop but don't trust them to jack the trailer properly and most won't let you into the area where they change them. So I'll probably let the dealership where I store it put the new tires on and pay a little extra for peace of mind.

Lastly, I'm going to get Goodyear Endurance STs since I've had good experience with them. But if I go with new wheels should I get 205s or 225s?

Not sure why your changing wheels with those tires, unless you just don't like them? I am on my 3rd set GYEndurance 15" with OEM wheels, with 70K miles on my 28' AS. If I was going to switch wheels, I would go up to the 16" Sendel's and Michelin LT 16". But, I see no reason to leave the 15" OEM AS originals on my AS, as long as I keep getting the GYE performance.

Not sure if you have Discount Tire in your areas, but some states have different name for same company. They will match or beat most other dealers. If you go in and talk with them about your AS install, they likely will tell you they will keep the AS outside and install there. The jack points are marked on the frame behind the tires, which if you look ahead, you can be there and show them. I have never had an issue with the tire shops installing on my AS, and I am there for 2 reasons. To make sure they know where the jack points are, and also to make sure they torque the lug nuts. Costco has also installed GYE tires on my AS, but there are more Discount Tire locations. This is not a big deal by the way...just talk with the manager, even by phone can work. I am sure they will accommodate your concerns. If not, move on to another dealer.

[ROBERT CROSS]

I took the wheels to the GY store.

POI...we do winter store naked.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by RamRider

I just had Discount Tires install new GYE tires. to insure that they properly jacked up my AS I stood by our trailer and told them where to place the jack - the installer followed my directions and all went well including setting the proper tire pressure for my rig. You should be able to follow step by step progress with any installer. New tires are peace of mind.

My local Discount Tire, Lakeland, Fl. Told me they only jack under the axles. Corporate policy (which is obviously hooey). I showed them the jack points, I showed them the frame rails, Nope, must jack under the axles. Worse, since I was hitched, they brought two floor jacks and tried to do one on each side so they's have all four tires off the ground at once. I refused. That's the entire weight of the trailer under two axles. "We do this all the time and never have a problem."
But I learned to shop around. DT wanted $1200+ for 4 GYE with road hazard, tax, yada, yada. I called GoodYear near me and they quoted $870 for the same tires and didn't off any road hazard. It should have been less but I told them to not change the metal valve stem because I used TPMS. They took it to mean I had internal TPMS and charged $30 for "TPMS Maintenance." In other words, do nothing.
In the end I took the rims off myself and took two at a time to GY.
The bottom line, watch everything. DT lost $1200, and my confidence. (DT Does not discount GY)

I've never heard of changing rims except if you change diameters 15" to 16".

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

My local Discount Tire, Lakeland, Fl. Told me they only jack under the axles. Corporate policy (which is obviously hooey). I showed them the jack points, I showed them the frame rails, Nope, must jack under the axles. snip quote... GY)

I've never heard of changing rims except if you change diameters 15" to 16".

We use the frame at the axles...SFSG

Bob
🇺🇸

[StuartsDad]

I wouldn't change wheels unless you want to go to 16" or have bent or dinged them up. Replaced tires on my 2018 last fall for same reason. Purchased GY Endurance from Discount Tire. Pulled one axle up on blocks. Took wheels two at a time to tire shop. Left truck hooked to AS. Used wife's SUV for the two trips to tire shop.

[AgBullet]

I doubt you need new wheels. My local NTB gave me a good price on the tires...they don't pull the rig into the shop, but instead take a floor jack outside where I'm parked, and follow my directions exactly on where to jack the rig. DO NOT let them jack under the axles! If your local Discount Tire won't do this, move on.

[CuriousLew]

Torque adjustments improve safety and tire life. Just like learning math symbols like pi improves brain function.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

My local Discount Tire, Lakeland, Fl. Told me they only jack under the axles. Corporate policy (which is obviously hooey). I showed them the jack points, I showed them the frame rails, Nope, must jack under the axles. Worse, since I was hitched, they brought two floor jacks and tried to do one on each side so they's have all four tires off the ground at once. I refused. That's the entire weight of the trailer under two axles. "We do this all the time and never have a problem."
But I learned to shop around. DT wanted $1200+ for 4 GYE with road hazard, tax, yada, yada. I called GoodYear near me and they quoted $870 for the same tires and didn't off any road hazard. It should have been less but I told them to not change the metal valve stem because I used TPMS. They took it to mean I had internal TPMS and charged $30 for "TPMS Maintenance." In other words, do nothing.
In the end I took the rims off myself and took two at a time to GY.
The bottom line, watch everything. DT lost $1200, and my confidence. (DT Does not discount GY)

I've never heard of changing rims except if you change diameters 15" to 16".

I do remember reading this argument about jacking axils vs the frame with Discount Tire several years ago, with my 2012 25'. I went in to Discount Tire, and asked about it, and got the same reply; management. I then talked with their manager and told him Airstream specifies not to jack axils but to use the jack points. they jacked the jack points on the frame. Never had another issue, here in Texas, but understand it may be something to discuss with the local dealer. On mine, they park me outside the bay, do one side at a time using jack points with floor jack.

[WestieHouse]

Originally Posted by RamRider

I just had Discount Tires install new GYE tires. to insure that they properly jacked up my AS I stood by our trailer and told them where to place the jack - the installer followed my directions and all went well including setting the proper tire pressure for my rig. You should be able to follow step by step progress with any installer. New tires are peace of mind.

I had exactly the same favorable experience with Discount Tire last spring when getting new Endurance tires on my 25’ FC. They worked on it just outside their indoor bays and I could easily observe and confer with the installers while respecting their need for safety.

I have done this for 3 previous tire replacements on my 2 Airstreams with a different tire dealer.

I take photos of the underbelly with date / time stamps before any tire replacement or other repairs/ inspections requiring jacking the Airstream. Did this recently for a brake and bearings inspection.

[jadatis]

Most likely your OEM tires have comfortable reserve to the GAWR , wich on their turn have comfortabel reserve to the GVWR.
In this Airsteam is an exeption to the rule. Other exeption I found is Outdoors RV.

Most brands have yust enaugh to law.

Look up GVWR and GAWR's and see if I am right.

Then its not needed to upgrade to larger rimms or higher loadrange.

Its even possible that an LT tire in about same size and loadrange, has still a good reserve, and then you can even swich to those. Some newer Airstreams are OEM delivered with LT tires.
LT is better tested tire, and mayby can last up to 10 years.

[WestieHouse]

Discount Tire procedure I monitored during tire replacements in Sequim WA.

As an aside, my experience in Washington State is that Costco will sell but not install tires while on the trailer.

[CarneyIdaho]

I suggest keeping the wheels, get to know your local tire shop as you will want to have a friend for the future. And buy Trailer tires. I considered Costco but they don't touch trailers so you would have to do your own dismount. Love Costco but that didn't work for me.

[Jason P M]

Can't think of a reason to change the wheels unless you just don't like the way they look. I take the wheels off myself using a Trailer Aid and bring them to the tire shop. I don't trust the tire shop to jack the trailer correctly. Also, most tire shops do not generally balance trailer tires. So I would suggest specifically requesting that they be balanced and use stick-on weights since the wheels are aluminum.

[candrews768]

If your part of the club they have really good discounts on Michelin tires

Originally Posted by Bluetick

My 2018 Flying Cloud 27 needs new tires. They are five years old and I'm going to assume the wheels are the originals. Should I buy tires with new wheels or have the new tires put on my 7 year old wheels?

Also, I'm sure I can get a better price at a local tire shop but don't trust them to jack the trailer properly and most won't let you into the area where they change them. So I'll probably let the dealership where I store it put the new tires on and pay a little extra for peace of mind.

Lastly, I'm going to get Goodyear Endurance STs since I've had good experience with them. But if I go with new wheels should I get 205s or 225s?

[RP Sellers]

I replaced the tires on my 2017 27FB-t this past year and put 15" Michelin LTX M/S tires on it. Couldn't be happier with the way they ride. I did have to get 235 width as no one stocks the 225 size in 15" tires anymore, but there's plenty of room for them in the wheel well and I just didn't want the hassle or the expense of replacing perfectlyl good 15" wheels. I run those tires ("E" load rating -109) at 50 psi and don't have anywhere near as much stuff bouncing around in side as before with the Goodyear Marathon's that the previous owner ran at 80 psi.

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by RP Sellers

I replaced the tires on my 2017 27FB-t this past year and put 15" Michelin LTX M/S tires on it. Couldn't be happier with the way they ride. I did have to get 235 width as no one stocks the 225 size in 15" tires anymore, but there's plenty of room for them in the wheel well and I just didn't want the hassle or the expense of replacing perfectlyl good 15" wheels. I run those tires ("E" load rating -109) at 50 psi and don't have anywhere near as much stuff bouncing around in side as before with the Goodyear Marathon's that the previous owner ran at 80 psi.

A great choice in my view; I have these on our 22FB, and they work well with our actual (scaled) axle weight when travelling. If I can't get them next time, we will be shopping for 16" wheels. They have lots of reserve capacity for any tandem axle Airstream up to 28', at least.

However, they are not "E" rated. 109 is 2271 lbs. E is 80 psi; D is 65 psi, C is maximum 50 psi. These Michelins are extra load metric tires with a maximum pressure is 50 psi, but i understand that these will carry maximum weight at just 44 psi.

[jadatis]

If realy XL / reinforced/extraload the referencepressure, is pressure for wich maxload is calculated for reference-speed of 160 kmph/ 99 mph is 42 psi, but 44 psi could be exeption to that standard rule.

Then this Michelin is based on XL , but mayby N speedrated, so 2 loadindex steps higher then XL personscartire would have in same size.

On personscartires only max allowed cold pressure is given of between 44 and 51 psi, depending on brand, and an exeptional XL// 60 psi.
Difference between the 42 and here 50 psi is used to highen up the 42 psi reference for higher speed then 99 mph.
Also for camber angle ( alignment ) above 2 degr .
This in the official used system.

So maxcold is not a verry important data, and introduced ,because american market demanded it.

On LT only referencepressure is given, and sometimes for higher speed then 99 mph. the given maxload is lowered 1 LI step for every 10 kmph/ 6.2 mph higher maxspeed.

Here all not that important , only remember 42 psi needed for 109 LI/ maxload 1030 kg/ 2271 lbs upto 99 mph.
Or mayby here 87 mph because N speedrated.
In Europe we call those " for trailer use only" , then Q speedrated or higher would have 107 loadindex.

This all if Albert F is right in post #18.

And here probably yust allowed , because of the comfortable reserves Airstreams have in tires to the GAWR's and GVWR.
Then still 10% reserve above GAWR with these XL based tires. Extra reserve is created because mayby only 75 mph max speed used, wich would allow 4 LI steps higher so 113.

[LNBright]

Assuming good condition, keep your 15" wheels and go with the Goodyear Endurance.

If you want to run Michelins, you need to switch to 16" wheels; used to, the precursor to the Endurance earned a bad reputation (the Marathon), so people were much more inclined to swap to the 16" wheel to get to use Michelins. But with the Endurance being a much better tire than the Marathon was, it's no longer a 'need'.