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Spare tire/wheel for the 1977 23footer [message #264681]

Wed, 22 October 2014 19:14

Jarrar

Messages: 41
Registered: July 2014
Location: Santa Cruz, California.

Karma: 0

Member

Hello,

So the 1977 23 Footer I bought came with a spare tire and wheel mounted in the rear. The tire is slashed/useless. It is size 8.75 R 16.5. It is the old size which I am told is not made anymore.

The other 6 tires and wheels are updated regular sizes. Lt225/75 R16

So where do I get an (8.75) tire that would fit the spare rim? I called all the local tire shops and no one has it. I will go to the Junk yard and try to find one.

My other option is to replace the rim and the tire to the current size...the 225 size.

Will a 225 tire fit on the old spare 8.75 rim that I have ?

If not, does anyone have a spare tire or a spare tire/rim they want to sell/get rid of ?

I am also looking for 2 extra batteries since the rig came with one only. The batteries can be dead, I will use them as a core or rebuild them.

I am in Yuba City, near sacramento. Will also be in the Bay area soon.

Thank you.
AJ

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Re: Spare tire/wheel for the 1977 23footer [message #264683 is a reply to message #264681]

Wed, 22 October 2014 19:35

A Hamilto

Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011

Karma: 39

Senior Member

Jarrar wrote on Wed, 22 October 2014 19:14

Hello,
So the 1977 23 Footer I bought came with a spare tire and wheel mounted in the rear. The tire is slashed/useless. It is size 8.75 R 16.5. It is the old size which I am told is not made anymore.

They lied to you to get you off their backs. Firestone TransForce HT is the only Load Range E tire the correct size that is still produced. You can usually find them somewhere online. Sometimes at a better price than 225/75R16 Load Range E tires.Quote:

The other 6 tires and wheels are updated regular sizes. Lt225/75 R16
So where do I get an (8.75) tire that would fit the spare rim? I called all the local tire shops and no one has it. I will go to the Junk yard and try to find one.

Don't get an old tire. Get a new one delivered to your house

http://simpletire.com/firestone-8.75-r16.5lt-189803-tires?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=13447&gclid=CP3ukNDBwcECFTMQ7AodencAqA

Quote:

My other option is to replace the rim and the tire to the current size...the 225 size.
Will a 225 tire fit on the old spare 8.75 rim that I have?

No. If you want a steel rim, the 4-9/16" hub hole to hub center the rim and the bowl shape to clear the calipers are what makes it hard to find the right rim. I have not seen a NEW steel rim that will fit and work.Quote:

If not, does anyone have a spare tire or a spare tire/rim they want to sell/get rid of?
I am also looking for 2 extra batteries since the rig came with one only. The batteries can be dead, I will use them as a core or rebuild them.

I am in Yuba City, near Sacramento. Will also be in the Bay area soon.

Thank you.
AJ

I lived in Lincoln until 1975. Do you ever get to Tony Baloney's for a peppersteak sub? I still crave them after almost 40 years.

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Re: Spare tire/wheel for the 1977 23footer [message #264684 is a reply to message #264681]

Wed, 22 October 2014 19:39

mike miller

Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Jarrar wrote on Wed, 22 October 2014 17:14

...
So the 1977 23 Footer I bought came with a spare tire and wheel mounted in the rear. The tire is slashed/useless. It is size 8.75 R 16.5. It is the old size which I am told is not made anymore.
...

16.5 inch tires are still being made. They are still being used on fleet vehicles. But most non-commercial use is limited. So selection/price/availability will suffer.

That said....

Do yourself a favour and find a usable 16 inch wheel. (Should match your other wheels.) Yes, these are hard to find as they need to have a specific shape (domed spider or center) and a smaller center (pilot) hole as steel wheels are "hub centered." This way as you replace your normal tires you move the best to your spare. I find "correct" steel wheels on criagslist from time to time.

Check the GMC'ers around there, maybe you can borrow a spare until you find the correct rim.

Never try to use 16.5 inch wheels and 16 in tires... or vice versa,

Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo' http://m000035.blogspot.com

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Re: Spare tire/wheel for the 1977 23footer [message #264696 is a reply to message #264681]

Wed, 22 October 2014 22:00

GeorgeRud

Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL

Karma: 0

Senior Member

If you're going as far as the Bay, why not check with JimK at Applied GMC, he may have one laying around.

George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach

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Re: Spare tire/wheel for the 1977 23footer [message #264698 is a reply to message #264684]

Wed, 22 October 2014 22:25

Ken Burton

Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana

Karma: 10

Senior Member

Make sue that you have 8 matching lug nuts for whatever wheel you are choosing to use for a spare.

Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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Re: Spare tire/wheel for the 1977 23footer [message #264703 is a reply to message #264681]

Wed, 22 October 2014 23:59

Jarrar

Messages: 41
Registered: July 2014
Location: Santa Cruz, California.

Karma: 0

Member

Perhaps I should add that I am not interested in spending few hundred dollars on a new tire and rim. Thus I am looking for the least expensive way to have a spare tire...just in case.

Am I correct in understanding that the spare rim (8.75) that I have will not work with the other tires (if I manage to find a tire for it) even as a spare (till I repair any flat I get) ?

Can I put a tire on the spare rim that I have that would be close enough in size to the 6 tires that are on the RV already? I just don't enough enough about tire sizes to know what would work?

Yes I need to contact Jim at applied GMC.

I plan to make a trip to the local junk yard...what should I look for? Aside from a match to the tire that is on the spare wheel already? Again, would any other size fit and work as a spare and with the other 6 tires to the point of where it would not disturb the driving/handling of the RV?

Thank you.

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Re: Spare tire/wheel for the 1977 23footer [message #264704 is a reply to message #264703]

Thu, 23 October 2014 00:17

A Hamilto

Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011

Karma: 39

Senior Member

Jarrar wrote on Wed, 22 October 2014 23:59

Perhaps I should add that I am not interested in spending few hundred dollars on a new tire and rim. Thus I am looking for the least expensive way to have a spare tire...just in case.

Least cost way out is to put a Firestone TransForce 8.75R16.5 tire on the spare rim.Quote:

Am I correct in understanding that the spare rim (8.75) that I have will not work with the other tires (if I manage to find a tire for it) even as a spare (till I repair any flat I get)?

That is not correct. An 8.75R16.5 tire on that 16.5" rim will be as close to the size of the 225/75R16 tires as the variation in wear between a new tire and one that has some tread wear.

You can use the OEM as a spare with the 225/75R16 wheels you have.Quote:

Can I put a tire on the spare rim that I have that would be close enough in size to the 6 tires that are on the RV already? I just don't enough enough about tire sizes to know what would work?

8.75R16.5 size will work as a spare for the set you have now.Quote:

Yes I need to contact Jim at applied GMC.
I plan to make a trip to the local junk yard...what should I look for? Aside from a match to the tire that is on the spare wheel already? Again, would any other size fit and work as a spare and with the other 6 tires to the point of where it would not disturb the driving/handling of the RV?

I say again, DO NOT USE A TIRE FROM A JUNK YARD. If you are looking for a 16" steel rim, picture of what you need is here:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/5701/medium/After.jpg

Bowl shape, NOT cone. 4-9/16" hub hole.

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Re: Spare tire/wheel for the 1977 23footer [message #264713 is a reply to message #264681]

Thu, 23 October 2014 09:12

lqqkatjon

Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN

Karma: 5

Senior Member

you can buy a new tire that fits on that rim. they make that tire:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Firestone&tireModel=Transforce+HT&partnum=875R65THT&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1= yes

and make sure you have correct lug nuts.

that tire can go on in place of any of your other tires to be used as a short term spare.

But I think you could probably post on the swap meet that you are looking for a 8.75 r 16.5 tire and rim, and an owner might be out there that will give up a complete one, people are upgrading all the time to aluminum rim/new tires. it might be an older tire, but for a temp, spare, it should keep you going. If you were in Minnesota, I would give up one of my extras.

Jon Roche 75 palm beach EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now. St. Cloud, MN http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/

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Re: Spare tire/wheel for the 1977 23footer [message #264716 is a reply to message #264713]

Thu, 23 October 2014 10:28

tphipps

Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL

Karma: 9

Senior Member

Get a 16" spare and appropriate tire (LT225/75R16)and be done with the hunt. Or Order a new Firestone tire. Used/aged tires that you have no history on this heavy of a vehicle are dangerous. I would not trust them personally.
The correct wheel will show up on Craig's List, if you look often, especially in a rural area. Use "16" 8 lug rim" as the search criteria. Measure the center hole before you purchase the rim. Correct size is 4.567" or 4 9/16". Anything bigger will not center on the hub. Your current lug nuts will work with a replacement wheel. Inspect the rim for the "bowl" shape as in the posted photo. The cone shaped wheel will fit the rear wheels but not the front wheels. Clearance problems with the brake calipers. You could always change two wheels in an emergency situation, if you can only find the cone shaped rim.
You should be able to easily replace the rim and tire for under $200 (US). You are betting your life on a few dollars. TireRack listing for the Firestone Tire is $151, not including mounting, shipping, etc. Then, in the future you will have the very same problem.
Currently Craig's List here, in Lower Alabama, has a total of 8 correct wheels listed.
Tom, MS II

2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG

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Re: Spare tire/wheel for the 1977 23footer [message #264731 is a reply to message #264716]

Thu, 23 October 2014 13:28

A Hamilto

Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011

Karma: 39

Senior Member

tphipps wrote on Thu, 23 October 2014 10:28

...Inspect the rim for the "bowl" shape as in the posted photo. The cone shaped wheel will fit the rear wheels but not the front wheels. Clearance problems with the brake calipers. You could always change two wheels in an emergency situation, if you can only find the cone shaped rim. ...

Like many things in life "it depends". If the front wheels have the OEM calipers, then SOMETIMES brand new pads will cause the caliper to scrub a little on one type of 16" bowl shaped rim.

There are a couple of variations to the bowl shaped rims. One yields more clearance on the front calipers than the other.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/5763/medium/steelprofilephoto.JPG

If he is going to have to play chess with the wheels and take a wheel off the back to put on the front to put the spare on the back when he has a flat on the front, he might as well buy whatever 16" rim he can find, since I think the cone shaped ones will fit/clear the rear drums.

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Re: Spare tire/wheel for the 1977 23footer [message #264741 is a reply to message #264731]

Thu, 23 October 2014 16:03

tphipps

Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL

Karma: 9

Senior Member

The newer cone shaped wheels will clear the rear rims. That is what my spare is currently mounted on. I'll let the guy from the trouble service wrestle the fit. Having a know good spare is the goal.
Tom, MS II

2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG

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