help wheel upgrade

[baggs]

hi im in australia
ive got a 2013 inter 624 (23fb)

it has 14 wheels and 215/ 75 /14 tyres

im jumping to 16" wheels
suggested data base is matching 215/75/16 tyres of choice

HAS ANYONE DONE THE JUMP TO 16"????

the reason i ask as supply of 14" tyres in 215/75 is very very limited here down under ...so wondering your thoughts Please

regards
baggs

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by baggs

hi im in australia
ive got a 2013 inter 624 (23fb)

it has 14 wheels and 215/ 75 /14 tyres

im jumping to 16" wheels
suggested data base is matching 215/75/16 tyres of choice

HAS ANYONE DONE THE JUMP TO 16"????

the reason i ask as supply of 14" tyres in 215/75 is very very limited here down under ...so wondering your thoughts Please

regards
baggs

How wide are the rims? I have 225/75/16 on mine. But mine is a 30 classic and I am running light truck tires.

[baggs]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

How wide are the rims? I have 225/75/16 on mine. But mine is a 30 classic and I am running light truck tires.

thx for asking..the new wheels will be 7"x16"

so your saying the 215/75/16 fits a 23 foot inter? [emoji111]

[baggs]

if anyone out there has upgraded please tell me ...or link a post that has already covered this topic....

[emoji16]

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by baggs

if anyone out there has upgraded please tell me ...or link a post that has already covered this topic....

[emoji16]

I wish I were more familiar with Australian tire designations. Are they the same as US???? 7" rims can accept 215s or 225s. I assume the export wheel wells are the same and there is plenty of clearance. You would need to be certain that the passenger designation, light truck designation, or trailer specific tire designations have the weight capacity for your loaded trailer. And check into whether it is advisable there to deduct 10% of the tire side wall max load if using passenger car or light truck tires on a trailer. (at least that's what the tire engineers here say).

[AlbertF]

At first I thought this was the same as the European models which are very different from the North American units and built on a different frame. However, it appears identical to a 23FB except it also has an exterior door from the bedroom area.

I’d expect the wheel arches to be the same as the domestic market units. In that case, 16” wheels and tires shouldn’t be an issue.

It’s unusual to see 14s. I believe the last domestic market Airstream to have these was a tandem axle 22’ International sold about 15 years ago.

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I wish I were more familiar with Australian tire designations. Are they the same as US???? 7" rims can accept 215s or 225s. I assume the export wheel wells are the same and there is plenty of clearance. You would need to be certain that the passenger designation, light truck designation, or trailer specific tire designations have the weight capacity for your loaded trailer. And check into whether it is advisable there to deduct 10% of the tire side wall max load if using passenger car or light truck tires on a trailer. (at least that's what the tire engineers here say).

Tire sizing, with its mix of metric and imperial measures, is universal. The key difference is that European spec tires include C-metric tires for commercial vehicles. These seem to be common in Australia, and are commonly fitted to trailers. It seems that ST tires or their equivalent are not sold in Australia. This is probably why the OP is having trouble sourcing 14s. And if he’s going to buy new wheels, going to 16s makes sense because 15s are getting harder to find as well.

The 10% reduction for trailer use also applies to using P-metric (passenger) tires on a truck. It seems that this cautionary requirement is in place in the US because trucks and trailers are more likely to be overloaded than passenger cars.

[baggs]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I wish I were more familiar with Australian tire designations. Are they the same as US???? 7" rims can accept 215s or 225s. I assume the export wheel wells are the same and there is plenty of clearance. You would need to be certain that the passenger designation, light truck designation, or trailer specific tire designations have the weight capacity for your loaded trailer. And check into whether it is advisable there to deduct 10% of the tire side wall max load if using passenger car or light truck tires on a trailer. (at least that's what the tire engineers here say).

thanks so much mate!

yes i will run light truck tyres and have indeed found plenty of 215 75 16..or 215 70 16....sizes here in Oz.....

im not particuarly worried about finding tyres here in Oz for 16" rims ....i am more concerned that the bastards fit !

[emoji111] cheers!

[baggs]

Originally Posted by AlbertF

Tire sizing, with its mix of metric and imperial measures, is universal. The key difference is that European spec tires include C-metric tires for commercial vehicles. These seem to be common in Australia, and are commonly fitted to trailers. It seems that ST tires or their equivalent are not sold in Australia. This is probably why the OP is having trouble sourcing 14s. And if he’s going to buy new wheels, going to 16s makes sense because 15s are getting harder to find as well.

The 10% reduction for trailer use also applies to using P-metric (passenger) tires on a truck. It seems that this cautionary requirement is in place in the US because trucks and trailers are more likely to be overloaded than passenger cars.

spot on!

yes im going from 14" wheels to 16" for that reason

can anyone confirm 215/75/16 tyres fit the wheels arches ?

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by baggs

spot on!

yes im going from 14" wheels to 16" for that reason

can anyone confirm 215/75/16 tyres fit the wheels arches ?

Your current tires have a calculated overall diameter of 678 mm.

The standard factory tire size for North America for all but the heavy Classics is 225/75/15, with an overall diameter of 719 mm. The 215/75/16 has a calculated diameter of 729 mm. Many owners have gone to 225/75/16 tires with an overall diameter of 744 mm.

I would expect no issue with what you are proposing, unless your Australian market Airstream was built differently - but I don’t think that’s the case. I found photos of the 624 online, and the tires definitely look small to me.

[baggs]

Originally Posted by AlbertF

Your current tires have a calculated overall diameter of 678 mm.

The standard factory tire size for North America for all but the heavy Classics is 225/75/15, with an overall diameter of 719 mm. The 215/75/16 has a calculated diameter of 729 mm. Many owners have gone to 225/75/16 tires with an overall diameter of 744 mm.

I would expect no issue with what you are proposing, unless your Australian market Airstream was built differently - but I don’t think that’s the case. I found photos of the 624 online, and the tires definitely look small to me.

bloody legend!!!!!!

yes you are correct on all counts...
the AS was converted to australian on arrival but origional wheels etc

marathons ...and yes very small!...thats such good news

so we here have a lot of choices in
215 70 16
and
215 75 16

is 75 profile ok?

i wqs leaning towards 70 profile for no good reason i can think of...

brilliant info mate!

warmest of regards

baggs

[Steamy1]

I upgraded the 14" tires/wheels that came on our new 2015 23FB to 15" tires/wheels. I was told by Dexter that they do not recommend going up 2" due to the 10" brakes on the number 10 axle.

One of these days I will replace the axles to number 11 with the 12" brakes and go with 16" tires/wheels.

[10Smiles]

Originally Posted by Steamy1

I upgraded the 14" tires/wheels that came on our new 2015 23FB to 15" tires/wheels. I was told by Dexter that they do not recommend going up 2" due to the 10" brakes on the number 10 axle.

One of these days I will replace the axles to number 11 with the 12" brakes and go with 16" tires/wheels.

Excellent point on brake diameter!

[baggs]

Originally Posted by Steamy1

I upgraded the 14" tires/wheels that came on our new 2015 23FB to 15" tires/wheels. I was told by Dexter that they do not recommend going up 2" due to the 10" brakes on the number 10 axle.



One of these days I will replace the axles to number 11 with the 12" brakes and go with 16" tires/wheels.

thanks for the info mate
bonza

[baggs]

im speaking with a mate who is a trailer repairer builder about practical limitations on the upgrade ....

can someone confirm...the 23inter have 4 sets of 10" elec brakes

my redarc tow pro elite is on level 3 out of 10 ....the electric brakes ..are bloody aggressive over this setting ...so at least the brakes are good

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by baggs

im speaking with a mate who is a trailer repairer builder about practical limitations on the upgrade ....

can someone confirm...the 23inter have 4 sets of 10" elec brakes

my redarc tow pro elite is on level 3 out of 10 ....the electric brakes ..are bloody aggressive over this setting ...so at least the brakes are good

I'm learning as I go!

I didn't realize the 23FBs were also shipped here with 14" wheels and tires. However, given their 6,000 lb GVWR, they don't need seriously heavy duty tires.

Another poster noted that these trailers have Dexter Torflex #10 axles. That's useful information. It looks like these all have 5 bolt hubs, while most Airstream have 6 bolt hubs (with 12" drum brakes).

I will surmise that these axles with 10" brakes were used because 14" wheels won't fit over the 12" drums. You could upgrade the brakes with your new wheels, but again, the trailer is not that heavy. Of course, if you buy 16" wheels with the 5 bolt pattern, you probably won't be able to upgrade to 12" brakes without buying new wheels.

In your case, I'd go with the 70 series tire for slightly more stability. The overall diameter would be about 22 mm less as well - and only about 25 mm or 1 inch taller than your existing tires if my math is correct.

Lots to consider, but I think you have enough data now to move forward!

[Steamy1]

I believe that the axle was changed from 3,000 lb. to 3500 lb. possible starting with the 2017 year. I think this is when the tire size was also changed from 14" to 15", and from 5-studs to 6-studs, though the brakes are still 10". This should be verified.

[baggs]

Originally Posted by AlbertF

I'm learning as I go!



I didn't realize the 23FBs were also shipped here with 14" wheels and tires. However, given their 6,000 lb GVWR, they don't need seriously heavy duty tires.



Another poster noted that these trailers have Dexter Torflex #10 axles. That's useful information. It looks like these all have 5 bolt hubs, while most Airstream have 6 bolt hubs (with 12" drum brakes).



I will surmise that these axles with 10" brakes were used because 14" wheels won't fit over the 12" drums. You could upgrade the brakes with your new wheels, but again, the trailer is not that heavy. Of course, if you buy 16" wheels with the 5 bolt pattern, you probably won't be able to upgrade to 12" brakes without buying new wheels.



In your case, I'd go with the 70 series tire for slightly more stability. The overall diameter would be about 22 mm less as well - and only about 25 mm or 1 inch taller than your existing tires if my math is correct.



Lots to consider, but I think you have enough data now to move forward!

thanks Albert

yes both 14 and 15" slowly becoming relics ....the reason for me doing this is future proofing as i intend to cruise australia in it from time to time and i need to easily get my grubby little paws on a replacement commonly found tyre...and a 215 75 14 aint it!

yep my friend has done the maths and yes 4x 10" brakes will handle 16" wheels and pulling up 2.4tons is very easy as i have my redarc on lowest settings

70 profile is a solid option to lesson lateral flex further..so bravo for that comment too cobber

ive chosen american racing 5 spoke polish alloy thrusters
..a nice hot rod 70s vibe

lift kit goes in over xmas ..then wheel upgrade early next year

we would like to entertain the thought of seeing another AS barrelling down a road in OZ going somewhere sunny and chilling out...however ive not seen a single one yet in 51 years ...one day ill meet another streamer

stay safe

baggs

[baggs]

Originally Posted by Steamy1

I believe that the axle was changed from 3,000 lb. to 3500 lb. possible starting with the 2017 year. I think this is when the tire size was also changed from 14" to 15", and from 5-studs to 6-studs, though the brakes are still 10". This should be verified.

thanks for the info steamy!

im in goid hands with my mate..he is all over it like a fat kid on a cupcake mate....

everyones comments have been priceless and im keeping a log of it all so when i pull the trigger on the upgrade we do it safe and right first time

[baggs]

ive also had the AS & TV digitally weighed and ball weights etc ...fully loaded with water and gas and tables and chairs ....a pinch over 2400kg......so bloody light...as i use shore based water when at caravan parks ....im only around 2.2tons...when offgrid boondocking im 2.4tons

so yes ..AS are bloody light!

here downunder vans of this size are 2.7tons -3.2tons....

so yes the biggest bonus is weight followed by they look groovy...and ring a ding ding shiny as!

hooroo all you fabulous bastards
(bastards is an endearing terms mostly in OZ)

i leave you all with a picture on a recent trip to a winery camp ground in the coonawarra area
Attachment 424619