20-footers

[Putemback]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

One avenue to explore is on the Portal page [grey tab at top left]:

https://www.airforums.com/

On the right edge of that page, there is a system for locating inspectors by state.

Good luck,

Peter

Thank you, Peter. There is good news and there is bad news. First, the good news is I am in beautiful Montana where there are more cattle and bison than people. Bad news is because of that there aren't many inspectors in Montana. Thanks again for mentioning where to look.

[OTRA15]

Maybe contact Airstream NW in Seattle, and ask for a recommendation? I imagine their contact list would include independent shops who work on Airstreams. We use a local mechanic who used to work for a dealer, and sometimes Jackson Center authorizes him to do warranty work here in NY. For that matter, I would also contact AS in Jackson Center.

Maybe post details of your problem(s) here, as someone might be able to point in the right direction. I note that your recent headline refers to electrical inspectors. What's up? If the problem is not-Airstream-specific there should be some nearby RV mechanics who can help IMO.

Good luck,

Peter

[Mot85]

Spokane Airstream is a great dealer. We purchased our 20-footer there and they have provided us with quality service. Good Luck

[Putemback]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Maybe contact Airstream NW in Seattle, and ask for a recommendation? I imagine their contact list would include independent shops who work on Airstreams. We use a local mechanic who used to work for a dealer, and sometimes Jackson Center authorizes him to do warranty work here in NY. For that matter, I would also contact AS in Jackson Center.

Maybe post details of your problem(s) here, as someone might be able to point in the right direction. I note that your recent headline refers to electrical inspectors. What's up? If the problem is not-Airstream-specific there should be some nearby RV mechanics who can help IMO.

Good luck,

Peter

Peter
Here's the issue. I have a Battery Tender that I have been trying to use to maintain the batteries. The battery disconnect is in the store position. The AS is garaged so the solar is doing nothing for the batteries. Everything inside the trailer is off and fridge is off and door open. I attach the Battery Tender correctly-negative on one battery and positive on the other battery. Plug in the smart charger and within a few minutes the red (charging) and green(charged) lights begin alternately blinking. The water in the batteries has been topped off and so they are not dry. This makes me wonder if there is some short or issue in the electrical system that is preventing the charger from working properly. I am not a DIY fella and as a result my base of knowledge re: these things is at tinker toy level.

I have no experience with the AS dealer near here. Don't know anything about them. Coupla hours away. I was hoping there was someone in the "neighborhood" with knowledge about the dealer or who could help. Anyway, that's the story and I'm sticking to it.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by Putemback

. . .
. . . I attach the Battery Tender correctly-negative on one battery and positive on the other battery. Plug in the smart charger and within a few minutes the red (charging) and green(charged) lights begin alternately blinking.
. . .

What does the manual for the battery tender say about this light condition?

If you disconnect the battery tender, wait an hour, and turn your Use/Store switch to Use, what battery voltage reading do you get on the monitor panel by the sink?

Peter

[CruizinDux]

Putemback, I'm with peter. What do the lights mean? On my ctek 3000 ??, My lights switch back and forth between charging and float...stage 1 float and stage 2 float. Recently fir 2.5 days it was switching back and forth between the charge light and float light. Then on day 3, float light solid. Apparently takes some time for the final float. Disc, let it settle down for a couple 3 hours... landed at 12.74.

I suspect leaving your connection on for 2-3 days will do the trick. Ctek had a good Q&A online, maybe your tender dies as well.

Bob

Btw, i over filled mine once, just short of the top of the notch. Now i fill just to the bottom of the notch...seems the look of the eater changes at this point. Not sure i noticed the dufference, but it is hard to see. I'll try and find the thread. Bob

Here is the link...how much water.
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f44...tmlpost2344915

Apparently the term is ring distortion.

[PapaPepper]

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f43...-208378-5.html

Fellow 20 footers,

I, much to my own fault, have suffered damage to MY FC20 2013. So much so that they are likely going to have the axel replaced. I purchased my trailer used from a great guy that had done a lot of work to the coach. With the extra batteries, cameras, solar panels, inverter, power conditioner, etc. My UBW is 4282lbs. Well the axel is only rated to 5000. With all tanks full I'm down to less that 300lbs of gear before I exceed the axel rating.

I'm wondering if anyone has determined a way to improve the GVWR to get more weight?

I think I'll be switching to the GYE in the 225/75R15 from a Michelin LT225/75R16. I will need new wheels so if anyone has recommendations I would appreciate it. The GYE should give me closer to 5500 weight limit if the axel wasnt limited to 5000.

Please see the thread above for details on my suffering. Thank you all for not holding punches and helping improve my level of knowledge as I'm at the beginning of my AS adventures. I just love the FC20 layout!

[PapaPepper]

Dexter Axel S/N 121779181 Model 410980-08.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by PapaPepper

. . .
I just love the FC20 layout!

Welcome to the 20-footer thread, where you are in the good company of other fans of the model! So sorry for your tire troubles. Wish I knew more about axles . . . but your post will get me thinking about our weights.

I have always wanted to get the actual weight of the trailer, either loaded or empty, but the nearest CAT scales are too far away. Do the Airstream weight specs include full propane tanks? I think so. [TBD] After you get set up again, maybe that would be good to do.

As I mentioned in your thread, we did get new 15" GYE's recently, as have many other folks. If you could find acceptable Michelins for your 16" rims, would the tire dealer and Michelin warranty their use on a trailer? If not, going back to 15" rims makes sense. Years ago, I think there were posts in this thread on Sendel aluminum wheel models to consider. Go to "Search this Thread" above, and maybe "Sendel" as a search term will disclose those posts. If not I will look later this week.

Good luck,

Peter

PS -- Thank you for your service in the Navy, per the recent post in your thread.

[switz]

Tire size comparison
16" Michelin LT225/75R16/E LTX M/S2 tire is rated 2,680 pounds @ 80 psi and 29.2" diameter

15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tire is rated 2,183 pounds @ 50 psi - derated to 1,985 pounds and 28.9" diameter

15" GYM ST225/75R15D tire is rated 2,540 pounds @ 65 psi and 28.3” diameter

15" GYE ST225/75R15 tire is rated 2,830 pounds @ 80 psi and 28.3" diameter

14" GYM ST215/75R14C tire is rated 1,870 pounds @ 50 psi and 26.7" diameter

The 16" Michelins will work in any wide body twin or triple axle Airstream 25' and longer. The increase in ground clearance is 0.45" plus more proven reliability. Quite a few folks also put them on the single axle trailers.

We upgraded the stock 14" GYM tires and wheels on our 2015 23D to the 15" Michelin tires above on 15" SenDel T03-56545T wheels rated 2,150 pounds at 60 psi that match the 16" SenDel T03-66655T wheels mounted on our Classic with the 16" Michelin tires. This elevated the 23D 1.1" to the same elevation of our 2013 25FB so the reused Hensley hitch of the 25FB worked with no modifications of settings on the 23D using the same tow vehicle.

A prior post mentioned the 15" SenDel wheel with the five lug bolt pattern of the 14" stock wheel on our 23D. The center hole is the same diameter as the OEM wheel so we reused the center caps.

The 15" T03-56655SM SenDel for six lug nuts is rated 2,830 pounds at 80 psi.

The Classic's 16" SenDel T03-66655M wheel is rated 3,580 pounds @ 80 psi. The center hole can use the stock Airstream center cap.

[OTRA15]

Great data thanks. I will also look for some Sendel posts here, which have photos from a couple of years ago as I recall . . . later today.

Peter

[OTRA15]

Here are some "Sendel" results for "Search this Thread" --

https://www.airforums.com/forums/sea...rchid=13449940

Not sure if the link will work for anyone else?

Here are some " Sendel 15" " Google results using the new-ish blue search box above on the main AirForums desktop site:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Send...=airforums.com

I guess the Sendel discussions in this thread were mainly about going to 16" . . . so no joy finding links for 15" Sendel posts in this thread.

PapaPepper, are the photos at the end of your thread of Sendel wheels? Maybe just match these, or similar, in a 15" ?



Sorry running out of edit time here.

Good luck,

Peter

[OTRA15]

PS -- Came across this 2016 Post #1267, FYI PapaPepper, in case you are still thinking of staying with 16" :

[click on orange arrow to go directly there]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Here it is all in one post. Thanks again renderit and Phoenix.

[renderit's wheel/tire info]
__________________________________________________ _____
20 foot Airstream:

WHEELS AND TIRES AND AND BALANCERS FOR A 16 inch conversion:
(Also Bearings for the 20 footer 12” wheel drum)

Tires and wheels for 16” conversion

Purchased From: PERFORMANCE PLUS TIRE

These seem to be the most popular ones. You need 16X6 - 6 bolt 6x5.5 bolt spacing

T03 BLACK MACHINED RIM-SENDEL TRAILER 16x6 #T03-66655BM
(without the black it is # T03-66655T)


MICHELIN TIRES - LTX M/S 2 LT225/75R16 115/112R #05681

(I requested metal valvestems, they said they don’t do that, but sent them on it anyway!)
__________________________________________________ _____

EBAY

Chrome Universal Valvestems #161919264348 Not needed

__________________________________________________ _____
CENTRAMATICS WHEEL

Balancer # 300-356 Call in order specify 6 bolt for 20’ Airstream with 12" drums 6x5.5 bolt pattern

__________________________________________________ _____

Bearings and seals for the 20 foot Airstream with 12” drums (Mine is a 2015)

Seal

Dichtomatik Part # 22333TA-H
DT Components # 472920 (same for Precision Seals and Bearings and Federal Mogul)
National # 412920
SKF # 22532

Bearings - Valvoline Crimson Grease recommended by Airstream

Outer

Bearing - Airstream # 450658, Industry # LM67048
Race - Airstream # 680365, Industry # LM67010

Inner

Bearing - Airstream # 450659, Industry # 25580
Race - Airstream # 680364, Industry # 25520

Tire Pressure on Michelin LTX M/S 2 LT225/75R16 115/112R to be 80psi. That is the load capacity and as Phoenix pointed out to me the diff between 80 and 72 or 75 on ride is very negligible. Get the full load bearing capacity at 80!

[switz]

Here is the link to the natural aluminum SenDel wheels we used that show 14", 15" and 16" sizes with bolt patterns and load ratings. I was able to reuse the stock 14" "hubs" on the 15" SenDel wheels and the stock 15" hubs on the 16" SenDel wheels.

Because I kept the stock 10" brake drums on the 2015 23D International Serenity, we used a five bolt pattern wheel. The 12" brake drums use the six bolt pattern wheels.

http://sendelwheel.com/wheels/t03sm.html

[OTRA15]

Thanks for the great info.

Peter

[PapaPepper]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Here are some "Sendel" results for "Search this Thread" --

https://www.airforums.com/forums/sea...rchid=13449940

Not sure if the link will work for anyone else?

Here are some " Sendel 15" " Google results using the new-ish blue search box above on the main AirForums desktop site:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Send...=airforums.com

I guess the Sendel discussions in this thread were mainly about going to 16" . . . so no joy finding links for 15" Sendel posts in this thread.

PapaPepper, are the photos at the end of your thread of Sendel wheels? Maybe just match these, or similar, in a 15" ?



Sorry running out of edit time here.

Good luck,

Peter

I'm not sure if the 16" wheel I have are SenDel - but I think they are the T03's. They look like a dead ringer. They are rated at 3200lbs in the 16" and from the data posted above it looks like the 15" are going to match the GY Endurance Tires well - as far a rated weight is concerned.

I'm still hoping to get some information on getting a higher weight rated axel.

I'm also interested to see if you could use a 235/80 GYE and then keep my 16" wheels but clearance already looks tight in the well with the 225/75's on there.

I'll get a call into Jackson Center on Tuesday and see if anyone can help me there.

[PapaPepper]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

PS -- Came across this 2016 Post #1267, FYI PapaPepper, in case you are still thinking of staying with 16" :

[click on orange arrow to go directly there]

Great! Looks like just what I have - too bad GY doesnt make the Endurance in a 225/75R16

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by PapaPepper

Great! Looks like just what I have - too bad GY doesnt make the Endurance in a 225/75R16

To clarify . . . the photo I recently posted was from your thread, so please re-read my recent posts . . . I am not sure we are on the same page.

Bottom line? In my personal opinion, you should get new 15" Sendel wheels, with the correct hole configuration, and put new 15" GYE tires on them.

Good luck,

Peter

[PapaPepper]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

To clarify . . . the photo I recently posted was from your thread, so please re-read my recent posts . . . I am not sure we are on the same page.

Bottom line? In my personal opinion, you should get new 15" Sendel wheels, with the correct hole configuration, and put new 15" GYE tires on them.

Good luck,

Peter

OTRA15 - I apologize for not being clear. I had not read all information before feeling compelled to reply. I think you're spot on. I'm leaning towards the 15" and GYE.

I'm concerned about the GYE's in only that the tread thickness is 8/32" new. The tire that failed is at 9/32" now. And although most of my mileage is on highway. Almost every trip does the last 10-20 miles on gravel.

I still feel the GYE is a purpose built tire that manufactures seem to have made because of the need shown by the community and folks providing feedback. It deserves a chance. I what to believe that greater tread thickness is important, but it might just be something distracting me as I'm not a tire expert.

As i write, I look down at trailer specifications, Insurance documents, and news of pandemic. It's nice to know that folks are still taking the time to share perspective to help fellow travelers get down the road safely.

Cheers!

[OTRA15]

The GYE tread thickness should be the least of your worries IMO, at this point in the saga.

Plenty of good reports:

https://www.google.com/search?q=gye&...=airforums.com
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f43...ce-204398.html

Try the "Search this Thread" link above, put "GYE" in the search box, and check out the 20' folks who have made the move.

Darrell [TCwheels] on this thread has a great signature:

"Don't let perfect be the enemy of better."

Happy trails,

Peter