nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Sept 13, 2015 14:43:12 GMT -8
The tires that came on our Shasta Airflyte were almost too large to remove. 205 75/15. On one Shasta I had 205 70/15 and I had to let air out and really work it to get them off.
I think the original tires/rims were smaller. Maybe a 14 inch rim? Or narrower?
Anybody know what originally came on a 1959 Shasta Airflyte and a 1964 Shasta 1500?
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lovnvintage
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Post by lovnvintage on Sept 13, 2015 16:26:34 GMT -8
My airflyte and other Shasta's all take 15's. The 56 I just got had the original spare that never touched the ground, can't remember the numbers(they were the old style) but can look tomorrow. It is very narrow that I know.
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Sept 13, 2015 16:29:49 GMT -8
According to the 1961 sales brochure, the Airflyte took a "Larger, DeLuxe 6.70X15 Goodrich white sidewall tubeless" tire.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Sept 13, 2015 18:11:42 GMT -8
I wonder if Deluxe 6 is a 205? Google came up with nothing. Maybe Deluxe 6 is a thinner tire with the same sidewall? I had to let the air out to get the tire off a Shasta. That can't be right. This site says the size on the Airflyte should be 6 70/15. oldtrailer.com/vintage-shasta-airflyte-trailer-specs.htmlAccording to the same site, the Shasta 1500 had a 6.40/15. I wonder what "6" means? Luvnvintage, let us know what size your tire is tomorrow. That would be great. --- update: This came off the web so who knows if it's correct. "6.40" = 162.56mm, 6.70" = 170.18mm. The closest to original you can get is a 195 width (7.68" wide)"
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Sept 15, 2015 15:22:38 GMT -8
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lovnvintage
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Post by lovnvintage on Sept 15, 2015 16:23:54 GMT -8
Sorry for the delay, had a senior moment!! The spare I have says Deluxe 6.40x15. It also has a number 115 30 on it whatever that means.
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Sept 15, 2015 16:54:51 GMT -8
I went through this a short time ago and had found a chart also....but of course can't find it now. I think the origs on the SC were 7.15 or 7.25 width, which ended up translating into a ST205, That is what went on the '70 SC. I would think you would be safe with a 185 width on the Airflyte, and maybe even a 175 on the 1500. The way that modern tires are structured, and especially ST trailer tires, a narrower width should work just as well as a more vintage, wider width, as far as sway and sidewall support.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Sept 15, 2015 18:47:26 GMT -8
The chart says 195 for the 1500 and 205 for the Airflyte. Although I agree they could even be a little smaller.
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Post by vintagebruce on Sept 16, 2015 8:37:16 GMT -8
There is an old commercial/utility trailer sales and service lot just East of Ocean Springs near Gautier on Hwy 90 called Shady's. I had a question about tire and rim sizes when trying to replace split rims on my 1951 or 1952 Silver Streak Clipper. I knew they had been in business for decades, so I stopped to chew the fat about my problems for finding someone to work on the existing split rims and proper replacement tires and rims. The old guy who owned the place said if I could get the camper to his place, he would be able to make sure I got the right sized rims and tires for it. At that time the Clipper was sitting on 2 flats at the edge of the metal recycling yard I "saved" it from, 20 miles away. He also mentioned the name of the only place along the Mississippi Gulf Coast he knew of who would work on split rims. As it turned out I was able to remove the flat tires and take them to the tire shop that worked on split rims and they had the right sized new rims and tires. I also had tires and rims done for my 61' Compact and '59 Airflyte. All I did was find an older established reputable tire service company in the towns I purchased them, and asked them what tires and rims I needed. I always got something that fit that was not too expensive. What I'm suggesting is, when in doubt, ask local old timers with lots of experience.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Sept 18, 2015 18:51:54 GMT -8
An update.
Five tire shops have told me that 15 inch trailer tires come in 205 or larger. They "haven't made a 195 trailer tire in years".
Coker's tech expert says their car tire is fine for a 1500 pound camper. I have my doubts. Trailer tires have "stiffer sidewalls to withstand the pressure of highway curves or off ramps".
So here is the dilemma: buy light truck or car tires the right size or buy trailer tires that need deflated to get on the camper.
One knowledgable person suggested I stay with camper tires and have a small spare for emergencies. One old-time tire place suggested going with the larger 205 tire as a Bias Ply which is narrower than a radial.
FYI...a 205 tire is 1 3/4" wider than the factory tire that came on a 60s Shasta. So if you have trouble getting them on and off, now you know why.
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mel
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Post by mel on Nov 21, 2016 17:47:42 GMT -8
nccamper, what did you end up doing about the Airflyte tires? If it all goes through, I will need to pick some up to get it home.
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mel
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Post by mel on Nov 22, 2016 4:54:34 GMT -8
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Nov 22, 2016 6:26:34 GMT -8
nccamper , what did you end up doing about the Airflyte tires? If it all goes through, I will need to pick some up to get it home. The Shasta 1500 was my real problem for tires. My Airflyte tires were too big and my Compact spare was too small and 4 lugs. The Airflyte worked fine with a 205/75 15. On my Airflyte, radial trailer tires work. I tried the larger tire off the Forester but it was too close for comfort. As far as I could tell the Bias Ply were just a little thinner and didn't seem to have as much expansion (wide) when the weight of the camper was placed on them. Not an issue if your wheel wells are in good shape. Did you put your hand up inside the wheel well to see how much clearance at the top there was with weight on the tires? I like a couple of inches up there, others may disagree and say less is fine. If it's much less than an inch the springs are probably shot. Does that make sense? As you know, you only want trailer tires. I'm saying this for people new to this subject.
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mel
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Post by mel on Nov 23, 2016 6:15:40 GMT -8
nccamper , what did you end up doing about the Airflyte tires? If it all goes through, I will need to pick some up to get it home. The Shasta 1500 was my real problem for tires. My Airflyte tires were too big and my Compact spare was too small and 4 lugs. The Airflyte worked fine with a 205/75 15. On my Airflyte, radial trailer tires work. I tried the larger tire off the Forester but it was too close for comfort. As far as I could tell the Bias Ply were just a little thinner and didn't seem to have as much expansion (wide) when the weight of the camper was placed on them. Not an issue if your wheel wells are in good shape. Did you put your hand up inside the wheel well to see how much clearance at the top there was with weight on the tires? I like a couple of inches up there, others may disagree and say less is fine. If it's much less than an inch the springs are probably shot. Does that make sense? As you know, you only want trailer tires. I'm saying this for people new to this subject. Thanks, I can but the radial tires in person most places right? i forgot to feel the wheel wells while I was there, it was something I really wanted to do too as I don't want to replace another set like I had to with the compact, it was not a fun job. I will feel when I go pick it up to see how high the tires go up.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Nov 23, 2016 6:30:59 GMT -8
Thanks, I can but the radial tires in person most places right? i forgot to feel the wheel wells while I was there, it was something I really wanted to do too as I don't want to replace another set like I had to with the compact, it was not a fun job. I will feel when I go pick it up to see how high the tires go up. I've only bought a few sets of trailer tires so I'm not an expert, but each time I bought them they were ordered and mounted the next day. Ask the seller if there is a local place where you can call ahead and order them. Then make an appointment the day of the pick up, pull in, read a magazine, and let them do it in an hour. You're going 80 miles? How bad are the tires? To be safe, ask the seller to read the tire size off the wheels now. There is a lot of mix and match with rims going on over 55 years.
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