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DadOf2InAVL · 11-05-2020, 07:33 AM

Hi,
We're about to take our airstream out for it's maiden voyage. We've been slowly renovating it, and are ready for it's first trip.
I replaced all the tires, but did not realize that apparently I got different sized put on there.
One side has 195 and the other side has 205. I don't know how this happened, but I wanted to ask the experts how big a deal this is. We don't leave for over a week so I can certainly get them replaced. I'd rather not because they're brand new, but if this is a danger I'll do it.
Thanks

JonDNC · 11-05-2020, 07:35 AM

Yes they need to be same size. The are most likely different diameters. This is due to the size difference. I would imagine the dealer you got them from car fix the one to the correct size.

DadOf2InAVL · 11-05-2020, 08:24 AM

Thanks for the reply. So is 205 large enough? Everything I have been reading people seem to have either a 225 or 235. Made me start wondering if I need to replace all of the tires. Do you think I'd be ok with replacing the 195's with 205's and be good?

JonDNC · 11-05-2020, 08:30 AM

I would put the factory size on all rims at a minimum don’t know what that is for your trailer.

JCWDCW · 11-05-2020, 09:17 AM

What is the weight of your trailer vs the stated capacity of the tires?
You don’t say how old your AS is . Will it take a larger tire in the wheel well
It depends on whether you will do long trips or keep it local
As long as you’re within the load capacity you will be ok for moderate distances.. Un fortunately we all load our trailers to the max for long trips Going to the 205 assuming you aree under the max capacity of the tire makes sense
Perhaps you can keep one of the odd ball tires for a spare
JCW

tjdonahoe · 11-05-2020, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DadOf2InAVL

Thanks for the reply. So is 205 large enough? Everything I have been reading people seem to have either a 225 or 235. Made me start wondering if I need to replace all of the tires. Do you think I'd be ok with replacing the 195's with 205's and be good?

My car trailer has 205...gvw is7000#s...what is your weight? Probably good..our 13 31 Classic has 7700 on the axles..225/75/15

**azflycaster** · 11-05-2020, 09:38 AM

The factory size for your trailer would have been 7x15 bias. Hard to find, but some are still available. 205x90x15r is the closest replacement, but still not many to choose from. When I had a 75 I finally switched to a 225x75x15R and never looked back.

DadOf2InAVL · 11-05-2020, 09:43 AM

Sorry for the lack of information. It's a 1973 31' land yacht international. I believe the weight is 5300 pounds. At least that's what the charts say. I haven't had it weight. It's also completely stripped down inside. We're basically using it for very primitive camping at the moment.
The 205's are rated at 1400 pounds, and the 195s are rated at 1377. I'm also not sure that these tires are trailer tires rather than passenger car tires.
Everything I was reading seemed to be leaning towards either 225 or 235's for this trailer. I didn't want to buy two tires and then need to turn around around replace them all again, for the third time.

I just went ahead and bought a set of five(including a spare) of ST225's with new wheels from etrailer that seem to be highly recommended for this application. I appreciate all the feedback I've gotten from everyone.

2dabeach · 11-05-2020, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DadOf2InAVL

Hi,
We're about to take our airstream out for it's maiden voyage. We've been slowly renovating it, and are ready for it's first trip.
I replaced all the tires, but did not realize that apparently I got different sized put on there.
One side has 195 and the other side has 205. I don't know how this happened, but I wanted to ask the experts how big a deal this is. We don't leave for over a week so I can certainly get them replaced. I'd rather not because they're brand new, but if this is a danger I'll do it.
Thanks

If you want advice from 'experts' you should be calling the Airstream factory. Why would you even think about risking your safety and the possibility of having stability problems with your trailer by having different size tires on your trailer. Spend the bucks and get the proper size tires installed on your trailer.

Mollysdad · 11-05-2020, 10:15 AM

Not the best solution, but if I discovered the size difference I'd put the 190's on the front axle L/R and the 205's on the rear axle L/R.
At least they'd be equalized.

rucos · 11-05-2020, 10:38 AM

Im still curious how they put 2 different sizes on at a tire shop?? Shouldn't they just correct it or explain why??

AlbertF · 11-05-2020, 12:06 PM

We need more information. What kind of tires are they? What load index or load range? Also, section width, aspect ratio and wheel size, e.g. 205/75/15. Also, are they P, ST, or LT tires?

The carrying capacity seems very low. The stated GVWR of your trailer is probably at least 6500 lbs. Assuming 6000 lbs on the axles, a tire capacity of at least 1500 lbs plus some margin, e.g. 10% would be advisable as a bare minimum.

I have concerns about your tire store.

Trowbridge · 11-05-2020, 04:28 PM

1. Having different size tires front/rear will wear the tires differently because more weight will be born on the larger dia tires.

2. Different diameter tires left/right will set the trailer slightly uneven.

3. Different diameter tires will respond to brakes differently (and most TV brake controllers can’t adapt to different wheels’ brakes responding differently...possibly locking up certain wheels before others).

4. Preferably, use trailer tires...not passenger tires. They are designed differently.

Bill M. · 11-05-2020, 06:03 PM

I think you need new tires all around. Look at the Goodyear Endurance trailer tires in the 15" diameter. If you just do not want those check the LT tires avaliable in 15". And you want tires that will hold at least 50 psi. That is load range C in LT tires and is avaliable as an XL rated tire in the P tires.

People work hard to keep a trailer from swaying when pulling and having one side different from the other seems like a step in the wrong direction in that regard.

One thing you do need to address though is that weight rating of the tires on an axle has to be equal to or higher than the gross axle weight rating if the tires are ST or LT tires. If the tires are P tires the tire weight rating must exceed the axle weight rating by 10%.

Just so you will know: Trailer use is much, much harder on tires than an automobile or pickup truck. If you are going to pull the trailer you really need good tires. You will either start out with good tires or have to get them on the road after failures.

The trailer axles are mounted close together and the trailer extends a long ways from them each way. So when the trailer tips it puts larger higher on the tires Trailer suspensions have very little range of travel so they bottom out hard often. Multi axle trailers twist and shear the tire when turning. Trailer wheels and tires are undersized for their loads by design. Low pressure tires are often undetected until they fail. Multi axles trailers may not be aligned well. Trailer brakes are often grabby resulting in flat spotting on the tires. There are no or not much in the way of shock absorbers on a trailer.

guskmg · 11-06-2020, 10:32 PM

I had the same problem on my Alaskan trip and the same concern do to correct size non-availability. I had a tire shop in Watson Lake put all of one size one each side. It did make my trailer a little hard to level, but the tires lasted the trip. Because, I had so much tire trouble Discount tire replaced all 7 tires for $300. I was impressed. I wish I had known about Airstream's latter recommendation of using Michelins, especially on the three axle trailers.
guskmg

tjdonahoe · 11-08-2020, 06:34 AM

Yep you did right 225

TopGeorge · 11-10-2020, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DadOf2InAVL

Sorry for the lack of information. It's a 1973 31' land yacht international. I believe the weight is 5300 pounds. At least that's what the charts say. I haven't had it weight. It's also completely stripped down inside. We're basically using it for very primitive camping at the moment.
The 205's are rated at 1400 pounds, and the 195s are rated at 1377. I'm also not sure that these tires are trailer tires rather than passenger car tires.
Everything I was reading seemed to be leaning towards either 225 or 235's for this trailer. I didn't want to buy two tires and then need to turn around around replace them all again, for the third time.

I just went ahead and bought a set of five(including a spare) of ST225's with new wheels from etrailer that seem to be highly recommended for this application. I appreciate all the feedback I've gotten from everyone.

Good move.

Trowbridge · 11-11-2020, 08:54 AM

Good decision. Well done. You made a really good decision. The ST tires are Special Trailer and ideal for your purpose. They are made to sit for long periods without being rolled, and to withstand sunlight better than standard passenger truck tires (although you should keep them covered to last optimally.

For a general reference, the "195" or "205" or "225" or "235" numbers are tread width not tire diameter/height. The next number (such as "65" or "70") is the aspect ratio...i.e. percentage of the tire width that the sidewall represents (in these examples 65% or 70%). You have to actually do the math to determine how many millimeters that is.

bubba98042 · 11-11-2020, 06:25 PM

Please do not mix radials with bias in any combination. Dangerous sway may result.

Cheers.

DadOf2InAVL · 11-12-2020, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trowbridge

Good decision. Well done. You made a really good decision. The ST tires are Special Trailer and ideal for your purpose. They are made to sit for long periods without being rolled, and to withstand sunlight better than standard passenger truck tires (although you should keep them covered to last optimally.

For a general reference, the "195" or "205" or "225" or "235" numbers are tread width not tire diameter/height. The next number (such as "65" or "70") is the aspect ratio...i.e. percentage of the tire width that the sidewall represents (in these examples 65% or 70%). You have to actually do the math to determine how many millimeters that is.

Really appreciate this response. We're a day away from embarking and I'm panicking about everything. This makes me feel much better about my choice in tire. I appreciate the explanation as well. I know very little about this especially when it comes to trailers and have been figuring this out as I go. Thanks for taking the time to explain.