16" spare tire vs OEM spare tire rack

[Bluto]

I've been on the fence about changing from 15" to 16" wheels and tires but now I have decided to do it. I'll will buy the wheels now and the tires when a nice sale hits.

There is only one question left in my mind about the swap and that is, will the new 16" spare tire and wheel fit in the OEM tire rack on a newer trailer, as is, or is there a modification that needs to be done?

[SteveH]

I switched to 16's, but kept the 15" spare. It's a spare, and will work for that.

[Bluto]

Thanks Steve but I want to change out all 5 and just wondering if the 16" will fit the rack before I commit to the swap.

[Bob Thompson]

Figure the new tire diameter is 1" larger than the old diameter. You can put your old one in the rack and see if there is room for a 1" larger diameter tire.

[Bluto]

Originally Posted by Bob Thompson

Figure the new tire diameter is 1" larger than the old diameter. You can put your old one in the rack and see if there is room for a 1" larger diameter tire.

Bob,
Don't know why I didn't think of that.
Thanks

[BAB]

I moved to all 16" wheels and it was necessary to bend the rack slightly to accommodate the larger wheel/tire combination. This was NOT a big deal. It's nice to know that if one of my Michelin LT's does go flat there's a "sister" tire aboard to replace it...

[Alumitater]

We made the switch last year to the Michelin 16's and have been very satisfied. No pressure loss coupled with Michelin's reputation (as opposed to the reputation of Marathon tires) make for a nice ride. We did replace all five tires and the 16 fit our spare tire rack....a bit snug, but it fit with no modification. Make the switch when you can, you will thank yourself in the long run. Ours came from the factory when they had the winter 10% off sale. Cheers!

[COUNTRYSONG]

Mine made it in the rack with a16" Michelin XPS Rib and a Sendel wheel that matches the ones on the ground.... It was snug as I recall, but with the RIBS I don't plan on putting it in there very often... The Michelin tires are a lot heavier than the Junk Goodyear ST 15" Tires...

[moosetags]

We also went to five 16" wheels/tires almost three years ago. The new spare fit in Lucy's OEM under-tongue rack without any modification.

Brian

[Bluto]

I appreciate all the good info.
Now to just pick out the style I want and order.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by Bluto

I appreciate all the good info.
Now to just pick out the style I want and order.

Bluto, Just one word of caution....When I was looking for wheels, I found lots of truck wheels available in the size I wanted with the correct bolt pattern, but none of them had the required 0 offset, so watch for that spec.

[HeadWest]

I'm having Airstream install the 16" wheel/tire package on my yet to be built 28 International. On the build sheet I received from Airstream it states as part of that upgrade to modify the spare tire carrier. I assume just little tweaking or bending out of the carrier is all that is needed.

[Foiled Again]

I replaced all 5 - 16" spare too. In MY spare rack, the bigger tire wouldn't fit until I bent the two upward prongs out slightly (I used the hanger hole of a 20" breaker bar to do the deed, although a 5 lb. sledge hammer might have worked too).

Paula

[kry226]

Originally Posted by HeadWest

I'm having Airstream install the 16" wheel/tire package on my yet to be built 28 International. On the build sheet I received from Airstream it states as part of that upgrade to modify the spare tire carrier. I assume just little tweaking or bending out of the carrier is all that is needed.

True. Mine were also done at Jackson Center and they simply had to open up the carrier a wee bit. That's all.

[Bluto]

My 16" wheels are finally ordered and on their way. Thanks everyone for your comments.

[pappy19]

I did the 16" replacement and also got a steel rim and a "cheaper than a Michelin" spare, don't even remember the name but it was the same diameter as my new Michelins. The new 16" spare fit, snugly, but fit without a problem. I also did the Centramatics and am on my first 2,000 mile trip with my new 16" Michelins. Smoothest trip I have ever made with my AS. I think my mileage even went up a little.

[Bluto]

I like your idea of using a less expensive tire on the spare. If a person doesn't plan to use the spare in rotation with the rest of the tires it makes $$ sense do it that way.
So far my 15"s are wearing true and I don't see the need to rotate the spare when I switch to the 16's. I may follow your lead and save some $ right out of the gate. Hope your observation about the fuel mileage is correct, that would definatly be a plus, no matter what the amount of increase.

Did you happen to read the recent thread about the Centramatics and the Dexter Neverlube bearings? If not, it might be worth it to look it up and decide about using the Centeramitics or not, if you have the Dexter Neverlubes on your trailer.
A warning in the Blue Beret started the discussion. If your trailer has regular bearings sounds like your good to go and no concerns in that regard.

[pappy19]

I do have regular bearings and all were re-packed along with one set of brakes replaced. I did see that article in the "Blue", but I really wonder about that. Most of the large vehicles using Centramatics have non-greasable bearings and there is no evidence or reports regarding the use of Centramatics causing damage. I just wonder how many Dexter Neverlube bearings were actually damaged due to Cantramatics or maybe poor installation of the bearing itself. When I repacked my bearings, 3 of the 4 seals from whomever did the last work, pinched the seals so they were not holding the grease. It was lucky I checked them. I would just like to see the "proof" if I did have the Dexter bearings, or maybe I would just switch them out to standard greasable bearings.

[switz]

When I converted from the GYM ST tires to the Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL, I used a 21" crescent wrench handle to bend the two tire edge rods on the tire support outwards slightly and the larger tire then fit easily on the tire carrier.

[albert]

Hi, did you install the Centramatics yourself? I am hoping to install the preset tires and wheels on my 1970 Ambassador MYSELF and want to know how the Centramatics install. The video on their website DOESNT help.
Thanks!