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Old 07-06-2013, 10:36 AM   #1
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New 7 y/old tires

Looks like I may be purchasing a 2006 Sunline, at least going to look at it. Unit has 100 miles on it and has the original tires. Trailer has been braced with blocks wherein some of the weight has been off the tires. Not sure what brand they came with. Was towed to a campground and parked since. Do I even dare tow it home (60 miles)?

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Old 07-06-2013, 11:47 AM   #2
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You may get conflicting answers to your question. It is a matter of how much you trust those tires. I tempted fate, when I bought the 1997 T-2653 that I have. I made sure all four tires were at full sidewall pressure and towed it slow. I only went something like 8 miles on them, but was very worried the whole time.

If you have the opportunity to change them out, I would recommend it.
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Old 07-06-2013, 07:11 PM   #3
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I wouldn't.

I am, however, the queen of towing disasters, so I never tempt fate. I would make sure to have a jack and a spare at least.
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Old 07-07-2013, 12:02 AM   #4
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I'd tow an hour on original '90s Goodyears before I'd tow an hour on the '06 OEM Missions. The Missions sucked! Their magic age was around 5 years and then it was nearly a guaranteed fail.

Another member here has the same year/model I do. We both keep them inside, but they have easily 4x the mileage on it than I do. We both lost our Missions last year, in the same month.
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Old 07-07-2013, 09:33 AM   #5
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Welcome to the club Joe. No way would I tow it 60 miles.
I took a chance and brought mine home (maybe 7 miles) on old tires, but changed them right away.
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Old 07-07-2013, 09:39 AM   #6
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Hi Joe,

Your good luck is finding that 06 Sunny that has not towed much if any. However 60 miles can be feel like 1,000 miles when a flat goes out. The plastic wheel well can be ripped to pieces, the rim killed and maybe worse.

While I would not have an issue to air them up to max and driving it off the permanent site at 15 mph, but doing 60 miles on the highway...my luck has never been that good.

The question now is, if the sale goes through, do I bring new tires and rims or go get the old rims and get new tires before hauling it home?

Can maybe always sell the old rims on Craigs list. I'm assuming it has steel wheels. See Etrailer.com for new Dexstar wheels. Free shipping if over $150

Good luck and hope this helps

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Old 07-07-2013, 11:09 AM   #7
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yeah, I agree. I don't think I want to chance it. I have two other utility trailers at home with wheels and tires, I suppose I could borrow from them, but that would be temporary. Tires are skinner too. I have a really nice set of VW alloy rims with a 112 x 5 bolt pattern I'd love to use, but I think that they may not fit. Not sure the offset would be right either. It would be awesome if they did.

Okay, so what tires should I buy? Anything decent and made in USA out there? I was at Sam's club yesterday and they had something called Greenball I never heard of? When I bought my Carriage it came with Chinese tires that were prone to exploding.
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Old 07-07-2013, 11:13 AM   #8
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I just bought a set of Carlisle tires my RV mechanic recommended.
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Old 07-07-2013, 11:56 AM   #9
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If I were buying new tires and rims I would up size to a little wider rim and a letter grade heavier tire.
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Old 07-07-2013, 12:00 PM   #10
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So maybe a 225 and a D load range?
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Old 07-07-2013, 12:29 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FiveORacing View Post
So maybe a 225 and a D load range?

Well, no. There is a big difference between the ST205/75R15 C and the ST225/75R15 D. Yes it is wider but it is also larger OD. It is very probably on the T2499 to run out of wheel well clearance. Dexter Axle says min bump clearance is 3" however Sunline set many trailers up on 2 1/2 and 2 1/2 works but much less will eventually have issue if you are in the 2 1/4 or less.

See here on my 2004 2499


You can see the wheel well is right at the white fender skirt molding


The 2006 your looking at has a different fender skirt that hangs down some more and the added width can be a problem too.

I agree with the upgrading in capacity, some of the choices are,

- Up'ing from a ST 205/75R15 C load range to a D load range.

- Converting to LT tires.

Both of those choices may force new rims. The LT's will for sure. HenryJ did a very nice write up on how he converted his T2499 to LT's

Oh and welcome to the saga of sorting out what new tires to get on your camper.... There are no USA made ST tires any more sadly enough.
There are a lot of tire threads on SOC about tires including my saga

Here try this. This is a Sunline Google custom search. It works really well. Put in "tire" or "tire replacement" and hit go. Read for hours....

Google Custom Search - SunlineClub

Also, heads up, trailer wheels are zero offset. The wheel well and frame fit zero offset. According to Dexter the brake drum bearings are sized on zero offset. Having an overhung load may have a negative effect on the bearing life if towed a long distance that way.

In case you did not know, after removing and putting a wheel back on, bring a torque wrench with you, 100 ft lbs dry torque. 13/16" socket and an extension. After the 1st 20 to 30 miles, pull over and recheck torque. You are for sure going to find a few that will take more torque. Then at the 50 to 60 miles and then at the 75 to 100 mile. By the 3rd time they generally stop moving unless they are new painted wheels with paint in the holes. It may take 4 to 5 checks to have then stop due to the paint crushing out.
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Old 07-07-2013, 12:38 PM   #12
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Sounds good. One problem with tandem axles is load rating of TT is designed for 2 tires per side but in case of blowout all that weight is being carried by one which stresses it. So I like a little heavier tire
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Old 07-07-2013, 12:48 PM   #13
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Okay, good to know. I also like the idea of a "D" tire. I'll read that write up on LT tires too. thanks



The length of 25'10" listed for the 2499, does that include the bumper and tongue?
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Old 07-07-2013, 02:16 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FiveORacing View Post
Looks like I may be purchasing a 2006 Sunline, at least going to look at it. Unit has 100 miles on it and has the original tires. Trailer has been braced with blocks wherein some of the weight has been off the tires. Not sure what brand they came with. Was towed to a campground and parked since. Do I even dare tow it home (60 miles)?

Joe
Hi Joe,
This is just my 2 cents.
If the tires have any cracks in the sidewalls (maybe from sun damage or age) I would NOT drive 60miles on them. If they don't I would drive home on them. Make sure you put max. air pressure in them and drive as slowas you are able. maybe 45 MPH max ? With 4 tires if you lose one and catch it right away you can put the spare on. Stop a few times to ck. them and the bearings, brakes etc. make sure the hubs are not getting HOT.
You could just as easy have trouble with the bearings or brakes from no use for 6 yrs.

In my history ( over 50 yrs. of towing various trailers ) I don't think I ever had a flat, maybe I was just lucky.
I would not worry about the brand if they were Mission tires.
I had Missions & put 18,000+ miles on them with NO problems at all.
I replaced them because they were 5 yrs. old, mainly from reading the posts on this site.
I bought Goodyears Also MADE IN CHINA. I just hope they hold up as well as my old Missions.....
Good luck with whatever you do.

EDIT...............

On second thought because they have been sitting in the same position for 6 years I would NOTdrive on them !!
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Old 07-07-2013, 02:29 PM   #15
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Why did we have to talk tires?

I went out to start packing for my trip this weekend, and noticed that the camper had come off level. I wet to check, and I have a leaky tire! I am frustrated as I am fresh out of spares. I do however, have a huge pile of car tires that will fit.

Downsides of using car tires for a 60 mile (round trip) haul?

Me and my bad luck....
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Old 07-07-2013, 07:00 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FiveORacing View Post
Okay, good to know. I also like the idea of a "D" tire. I'll read that write up on LT tires too. thanks



The length of 25'10" listed for the 2499, does that include the bumper and tongue?
I do not think the T2499 changed in 05 or 06 or 07 for that matter so here is exactly what an 04 was.



Sorry, I measured from the center of the ball coupler... Might want to add approx 1 5/8" for the ball coupler from center to end. Have no idea how Sunline declared the length.

Oh 1 other thing, A 2004 T2499 will fit through a 10 foot tall over head door. A 2005 all the way to 2007 will not. The main frame change made it taller. I had the choice to buy either a 2004 or 2005 new in the fall of 2004. I picked the 2004 unit just so it would fit in my shed.
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Old 07-07-2013, 09:31 PM   #17
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Whoops missed 225 Load D was thinking 205 load D and wider rims. You may also consider an axle flip to give more clearance and reduce rear end dragging if your planing to tow allot. I've hit my skids a few time but not hard. I'm planning a flip but not sure when.
I don't know about LT tires on a TT. ST stands for Special Trailer. I guess their built to a different standard to account for the sidewall flexing you get when turning with a tandem axle. I've read pros and cons on each and I'm still up in the air on it
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Old 07-08-2013, 05:03 AM   #18
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Quote:
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Downsides of using car tires for a 60 mile (round trip) haul?
The down side of using car tires is sidewall stability and load range. Trailer tires have a higher load rating C and a 50lb. air pressure or D and a 65lb air pressure. Car tires are P rated for passenger, softer comfort ride, and only 35lb. max tire pressure.
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