[VAC] Re: Tire replacement worries

[Alexkensington@xxxxxxx]

My experience -

I had a blow out with one of the marathons where the tread delaminated from 
the body of the tire. Just unwound like a peeled golf ball! The debris 
slapped the wheel well pretty badly, but I was able to get it together again 
with only a few rivets and only buy crawling under the coach could you tell 
any work has been done. 

This happened right about the time of the Big Firestone hoohaw, and 
everywhere I turned folks were telling me their steel belted stories. Having 
been made such a victim so freshly, I decided to investigate poly biased 
tires myself. 

I found Cooper Roadmasters Load Range D 700 X 15, for about $70 US each, and 
put on a set on my single axle 1966 Safari. Because I do Sideshow work, I 
full time 6 months a year and put a LOT of miles on my equipment. Here's what 
I have found the practical differences to be:

First the Polys look startlingly good on a vintage Airstream, especially with 
the baby moon hubcaps. It just looks like all the old advertising photos we 
are familiar with. 

Next they are slimmer, and a wee bit taller than the Radial Marathons. They 
fit fine, but I do use a bottle jack, and lift the coach up as far as I can, 
as that's what it takes. I use chocks, and keep the coach hitched for safety. 
Because of the added lift of the slightly taller tire, I did have to raise my 
hitch a notch, to level up with my 3/4 ton 1988 GMC Safari, which was easy 
enough. Before adding this size tire, the hitch was about a half notch too 
low or high. 

Also the Reese Dual Cam hitch I used acted very different. It Seemed to Work! 
But I should point out that I never thought of it as a sway control device 
but a weight re-distributor as it is advertised. I am guessing the proper 
angles, height, and drag, had been reestablished, and the trueness of the 
ride, I have read about, was being achieved. 

BUT I quickly discovered that these tires are Very Unforgiving of under AND 
overinflation. These things are not made to flex. Underinflated poly tires 
heat up really fast, like in a mile, if you're more than 5 PSI under, I have 
discovered. And if you get over 5 PSI, they will be Very Bouncy, and lead to 
sway conditions. 

Consequently, on single axle coaches such as mine, balancing your loaded 
trailer becomes really important to get the best effect from the poly bias 
tires. If you can do this, and keep and eye on your pressures, the ride is 
really worth it, and is superior to the radials IMHO. Possibly the corrected 
size, is more important than construction, but There You Are.
They seemed to be the missing part of the equation in tuning the whole 
pulling experience. 

Alex In Indiana
66 Safari & Overlander 
8728