[VAC] Re: Tire question (long)

[Roger Hightower <n7kt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

After my "non-starter" for the Grand Canyon, curtailed by tire failure,
I got many responses about tires.  On Monday, I managed to find a local
dealer who fixed me up with Tow Master ST225/75R15 tires all around. 
Load range "D", a good tread pattern, and a good price.  Since I bought
5, he gave me a price break, so the whole shot wasn't too bad.  $415.00
for five tires, mounted and balanced.

So, off we went on the "maiden voyage" of our newly purchased 1975 31 ft
Sovereign. The tow vehicle is a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 with the towing
package and a 5.9 liter V-8, and the A/S pulled like a dream.  No sway,
no noticeable lurch from passing semi's, and very good tracking.

It's uphill all the way to the G.C., so gas mileage was only about
10.7.  Coming back it was closer to 13.5.  Not bad, as long as the
prices don't go out of sight.

Mather campground at the Canyon is dry, no hookups of any kind, so we
got a chance to practice water/power conservation.  We cheated a little,
since I took along a 64 watt solar panel and controller, and had that
operating all the time.  Our water supply lasted nearly 4 days, even
taking Navy showers, so that's not bad.

After the Canyon, we tripped down to Flagstaff, AZ for the annual Ft.
Tuthill amateur radio Hamfest, where we found more Airstreams at our
group site.  There was out '75, an 1976 Trade Wind that was pretty beat,
a 1986 31 ft Excella, and a 1999 Excella.  I've been meeting these folks
for five years now, and this is the first year they all showed up with
Airstreams.  Must be something in the air.

Anyway, all the A/S's got lots of attention, and two people now have me
looking for units that they could buy.  Got an offer of $6500 for mine,
but I think I'll keep it. Everything works, and the shell is free of
oxidation, with only one small spot about 5 sq. ft where the clearcoat
is missing.

If you're in NorCal, around the San Joaquin Valley and know of a vintage
unit for sale, pse let me know and I'll pass it on to those who just got
interested.

Thanks for the prior info on tires.  I couldn't find Coopers, but think
these will work.

Roger Hightower
1975 31 ft Sovereign.