In a message dated 3/3/99 9:51:17 AM Mountain Standard Time,
donhorn@mindspring.com writes:

<<
Although there's lots of tread left on my current tires, they are light
truck, not trailer tires, and I've heard that these can be a lot more
susceptible to UV deterioration of the side walls. What I have nowis a
pair of Super Miller Belted G78-15 LTs. Since the Caravel supposedlycame
with 14" wheels, I can only assume the wheels have been replaced.
>>

Don:

Based on tire discussions by owners of mostly newer trailers on theother
A/S list, last Fall I bought and installed two Goodyear Marathon ST205/75R15
tires to use the 15" wheels proper for my 1953 18' Clipper. I couldquickly
tell at the tire store the 215's would not fit, so dropped them from
consideration. The 205's are the tires shown in the doorside pictureI posted
last week.

The new radials are about 1-1/2 inch shorter (measuring radius) anda bit
plumper than the old 700-15 LT tires previously on the trailer. Theywere a
squeeze to get on, but once into the wheelwell they went on easy andworked
fine for the 50 mile trip home. But they look somewhat undersized forthe
trailer and leave too much annoying space visible in the front andback of the
wheelwell. Since I plan to go boondocking and explore the West's backroads
with the trailer, maximizing ground clearance is very important tome. But I
lost 1-1/2 inches with the Marathons.

Anyway, based on Rick Davis' sage, experience-based advice a few monthsago,
I'm going to replace the Marathons with 700-15 LT tires on the Clipper.They
will raise the trailer by 1-1/2 inches, look better, and should workvery well
on back roads for the relatively light-weight trailer I'm towing. Besides,
I'm vintage guy who likes big meats on his vehicles, as you will seein
Wichita Falls. If the 700-15 LT's were good enough for Wally, thenby golly
they are good enough for me. I can buy 700-15 LT's for about $75 inDenver,
and may stay with radials in that size.

Fred Coldwell