1973 Brave D20 Split rim dilemma

Diggum · 02-08-2012, 07:30 PM

So, I just bought a 1973 Winnebago Brave D20. As luck would have it, 15 miles from the guy's house where I bought it, the front driver's side tire blew out. Shredded. After he told me they were new. I'm now finding out that the tire size on the front of this thing is fairly rare, but the tires for the rear split rims are like the scourge of the rv tire world. I'm not sure what to do at this point. Blowing the front tire on my first class A was sufficiently frightening enough to make sure all the tires are good before I put her on the road again. The rear tires seem a little dry rotted, as I suppose is the case on a lot of these old Winnies that have sat still for a while. So what to do? I've been searching the Google and forums for the last 2 hours for solutions, but not much info out there. I can't even find a price on the tires and I'm pretty proficient with web resources. I think I'd like to switch out the rear wheels to a more common size and hopefully a reasonably priced tire. Any suggestions on my new challenge will be extremely helpful. I don't want to dump her, when we've only just met.

RoyM · 02-08-2012, 08:02 PM

They were new when he installed them 15 years ago.

What size?

Diggum · 02-10-2012, 08:46 AM

8*17.5 I believe. There are different size on the front... I had it towed off to a Truck and RV service center in Ormond Beach.... They're looking for new rims, tires, and parts for the brake system for me. Haven't gotten the bad news yet. I added RV coverage to my AAA, but it doesn't take effect until tomorrow evening. If they want too much $$ to make it road worthy, I'll have it towed to Orlando and get it with someone I trust. The Daytona, RV tourist trap industry doesn't really give me good feelings, but it was the only place in range that had a front tire that fit, and it was gonna cost $600 to tow it home.
I'm seriously thinking of selling the engine/tranny/parts out of it and starting over with a vintage trailer. It's looking like parts for the Brave are pretty much orphaned.

tderonne · 02-10-2012, 09:25 AM

Not that it will help now, but maybe it still will....

I was able to upgrade from the regular AAA to plus (or whatever the name for the service that includes RV towing) on the spot. It took a few calls, and some reminding that I was a long time customer, but they did it.