Today in 90 degrees and 64% humidity…..we (well, ok Kevin did all the work, I did my typical go-fer job and took photos) installed 4 new tires and a spare onto our 1987 Avion 32S.
The tires that came on our 87 Avion were a mixed batch with DOT codes ranging from 2015 to 2018 (the spare). 3 were Load Star brand and 2 were Power King Tow Max STR. We were not real comfortable with the miss match and ages. So The Pewter Palace needed new shoes!
After much research Kevin made the decision to go with new 16 Inch aluminum rims and 16 inch radial tires. This effectively raised the trailer a 1/2 inch overall. Not a lot, but since these Avion’s are notoriously low to the ground, anything helps.
There is a huge debate and preferences of radials to bias ply tires. To each his own. Our feeling is we are going to be doing a lot of long distance multi day travels on highways especially as full timers. Radials can handle that 6-8 hour day of driving in high heat conditions better than bias. But this is our opinion from research and we believe everyone had their preferences and their reasons and we do not plan to get into a debate over it. If it works for you….then that is great.
Here is what we bought to complete this project:
TIRES:
LT225/75R16 Michelin Agilis CrossClimate M3JH02CX2220 (July 2020 price in NY@ our local tire store, Warren Tire, Queensbury NY, $240.95 per)
https://www.michelintruck.com/tires-and-retreads/selector/info/agilis-crossclimate
RIMS:
16X6 6-Lug on 5.5″ Aluminum T02 Trailer Wheel – T02-66655T (July 2020 price, online-$121.99 per rim)
CENTER CAPS FOR RIMS:
4.25″ Stainless Steel EZ Lube Center Cap CCS002 (July 2020, $10.99 each online)
METAL VALVE STEMS: (we strongly urge metal valve stems, why? rubber breaks down over time due to exposure to sun, etc. Also if you have tire pressure monitoring devices on the stems, they add weight and over time the rubber will flex enough that they will crack and you lose air out of the valve stem….been there…done that!)
High pressure, Bolt in Metal Valve Stems (0-131 PSI) ($3.99 each)
HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS TO SHOW COMPARISONS FROM THE 15″ TO 16″
Even with the addition of the 16″ size there is still plenty of “head room” above the tire. Original 15 inch is on right. NOTE: This FACE WIDTH of the tires are the same width!
We did have these tires professionally mounted and balanced at our local, very reliable Warren Tire shop here in Queensbury NY. We always recommend having your tires balanced professionally!!
STILL TO COME….(due to shipping delays have to go on later when we do bearings and brake checks)
We have ordered Centramatic Balancers:
GENERAL INFO ABOUT THIS PRODUCT: https://www.centramatic.com/balancers.rhtml
OUR ORDER: AJP-10″ Light Duty 6 on 5.5″ (July 2020, pricing 4 pc set, $199.00 online only)
https://www.centramatic.com/wheel-balancer.rhtml?modelNumber=200-223
Wheel Bearing Check and Brake Checks will be done before our trip to the Silver Avion Fellowship Rally hopefully (leaving in 8 days), if not this will be done upon our return. We had been told by previous owner bearing and brakes are good….appear so, but we always like to create our own “new benchmark” on our trailers for our own piece of mind.
Happy and safe travels….hope this post has helped you! We LOVE COMMENTS!
Be safe, hope to meet you on the road or at a campground or rally someday!
Kevin and Luisa Sherman
ThePewterPalace-Our Love Affair with Avions 