15 inch vs 16 inch wheels

[Projet2907]

Originally Posted by JBBeaubeaux

We just had a blowout on our 15" ST tires.

After getting advice from Vinnie at Vinnie's Airstream Repair, we bought 16" wheels and Michelin tires.

We posted photos of the blowout at http://livinginbeauty.net/2016/08/06...out-of-destiny

Very nice post thank you, is the same wheel and tires recommended for a 19' and does it fit ?

[JBBeaubeaux]

Originally Posted by Projet2907

Very nice post thank you, is the same wheel and tires recommended for a 19' and does it fit ?

I suggest you call Vinnie and ask him. He is one of the kindness and generous men you will ever met and he will gladly give you advice, at no charge.

His phone number is : (707) 978-0356

Tell him Jim Beaubeaux suggested you call him. And tell him hi from us!

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Time to make the swap to 16" Sendel wheels and Michelins before the next major trip.

Happy Trails . . .

Peter

Peter, have you abandoned the 15" options of the GYE's, Nokians to save on the rim upgrade???

I'm still undecided on the GYE/Nokians and will make my decision in the spring when I upgrade but have landed on the 15" side of the coin.

Bob

[mkcurtiss]

I had biased ply tires on my Airstream when I got it, and they looked vintage...but they suck.....they were rough, and did not flex well at all...
I had a set of takeoffs that came off my jeep cherokee, 15' all terrain radials, with much higher speed rating and weight rating, and they crawl over rough surfaces, compared to those bias plied tires......during the switchover, I observed that one of the bias plied tires was separating in the center of the tread...typical.....bubye.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Exactly what you want...flexible trailer tires, especially the sidewalls.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Starlight Mike]

Originally Posted by goliad1

I am going purchase 27 ft flying cloud. Read about people going with 16 inch wheels. What are advantages and the science of doing this? Disadvantages?
Thanks
Larry

I have many miles on my 16" Sendel wheels and Michelin LT tires. Total piece of mine at highway speeds. Do add tire monitors, any tire can have a problem.

[tjdonahoe]

Now that gy endurance has proven itself..it may be the way to go with 15”..my 16 michelins have been good..but there is no warrenty from Costco...30,000 miles they developed crackes in bottom of the tread...28%wear....30,000 miles. Got 50% help installed new set...if these don’t do any better than that..I am going to gy endurance..225/75/15...at $70 less money each...

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

Now that gy endurance has proven itself..it may be the way to go with 15”..my 16 michelins have been good..but there is no warrenty from Costco...30,000 miles they developed crackes in bottom of the tread...28%wear....30,000 miles. Got 50% help installed new set...if these don’t do any better than that..I am going to gy endurance..225/75/15...at $70 less money each...

I hope you have been adjusting for the different load capacity of LT type vs ST type. Same with 15" vs 16"

[LAWBC]

Originally Posted by Mrjkq

16in Michelin LT tires come with an E load rating, ideal for Airstreams. The 15in are not load rated that high & considered to be passenger car tires, some on this forum use them with success. It's your call!

ST 225/75R15 Goodyear Tire Endurance is E rated great tire no problems
Spec Load range E Radial special trailer tire 10ply, 2820 lb max load @80 psi

Great Tire

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by AnnArborBob

Lot's of good information in the above posts. Bottom line, 16" wheels appear to give you more options for the tires than do 15" wheels.

And that about sums it up! As mentioned, the older GY Marathons, had a bad track record...folks switched to the Michelin LT's but when Michelin stopped making them in 15" LT rated, several years ago, many folks moved to the 16" wheels so they could run the Michelin LT rated tires which were available in 16"...now, Goodyear has a US made Endurance tire, that many of us use on our 15" wheels, and AS as well as many, many, other TT brands, offer these Goodyear Endurance tires standard. I have had now for 2 years, and love them! When I did put a set of Michelin 15" "P" rated tires on my 2012 25's, I could feel a slight "rolling" sensation when cornering which I did not like. The LT versions I had prior, never had that feel. As I said, I like the new GYE's for 15" wheels.

[sunahara]

16" wheels are very nice and if you can swing it, I would suggest the Michelin Ribs tires, they are awesome, wear nicely and have tow very nice

[rwiles]

I’ve switched over to 16’s as well. Went with Yokohama 10 ply E rated. Apparently a lot of folks are using them on heavy horse trailers with good success. Also added the Dexter 3” lift. Great improvement in clearance and, no, I have not seen any appreciable difference in handling.