Recommendations to Raise 2008 Airstream Travel Trailer
Question:
My Airstream came with 14inch tires. GVWR 2722, The trailer is way to low and I want to put 16inch tires on her. Airstream is now coming with 15inch tires but in my area one needs more clearance, I have ordered the new breaks and hubs so I now have 6 on 5.5 hubs. I would like your advise as to what tire and wheel that would be best on my trailer. Thank You.
asked by: John C
Expert Reply:
In order to determine if you are able to upgrade to 16 inch tires on your Airstream Travel Trailer, I first recommend checking to make sure you will have enough space around the existing tires to use a larger size.
I am not sure of the exact size of your current 14 inch tires, but a 16 inch tire and wheel like the Kenda ST235/80R16 # AM34834 will be around 4 inches larger in diameter compared to your existing set. You will want to ensure that you have enough wheel well clearance for this kind of upgrade. This is a really nice radial tire mounted to a black mod wheel. It has a maximum load of 3,500 pounds at 90 psi and a speed rating of 75 mph.
Keep in mind that raising the height of your trailer by increasing the tire size is not the most effective method, as you will at most only raise the trailer by half of the size difference between the two tire sizes. This is because only half of the diameter will make a difference on how far the center of the hub sits above the ground. You will also likely get some travel in the trailer's suspension due to gravity, which will work to further cancel out the difference in tire size. No less than 3 inches of clearance between the top of the tire and the bottom of the fender or wheel well is recommend to allow for normal suspension travel.
A better option to raise your trailer will be with an over-under kit like # K71-384-00 for 2-3/8 inch axles or # K71-385-00 for 3 inch axles. These kits will allow you to basically "flip" the axles on your trailer, allowing the leaf springs to be moved on top of the axle instead of underneath it. This will raise the trailer by the width of your axle plus the leaf spring stack.
Products Referenced in This Question
Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit
- Trailer Leaf Spring Suspension
- Alignment and Lift Kits
- Boat Trailer
- Camper
- Car Hauler
- Snowmobile Trailer
- Utility Trailer
- Double Eye Springs
- Round Axle - 2-3/8 Inch
- Single Axle
- Dexter
more information >
Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit
- Trailer Leaf Spring Suspension
- Alignment and Lift Kits
- Boat Trailer
- Camper
- Car Hauler
- Snowmobile Trailer
- Utility Trailer
- Double Eye Springs
- Round Axle - 3 Inch
- Dexter
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Kenda Karrier ST235/80R16 Radial Trailer Tire with 16" Black Mod Wheel - 6 on 5-1/2 - LR E
- Trailer Tires and Wheels
- Tire with Wheel
- Radial Tire
- Load Range E
- 235/80-16
- 16 Inch
- M - 81 mph
- 6 on 5-1/2 Inch
- Steel Wheels - Powder Coat
- Kenda
more information >
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